The Optical Flares 1.2 update is now available and includes several new features for all Optical Flares customers:

• Added 64-bit support for AE CS5
• New "Unified Interface" with automatic scaling
• Rearrange window panels
• Full-Screen Mode
• 16:9 Guides now visible
• Show BG warning
• No more slide-out panel (Yay!)

Watch Video Demonstration of New Interface

Download Optical Flares 1.2 (Order Email Required)

New Forum for Video Copilot Plug-ins:
Now there is a dedicated place to talk about Video Copilot plug-ins including features, questions, compatibility. Click Here

Good news Thursday May 20th is my 4-year anniversary to my sweet wife so in celebration we're giving away a free shotgun shell clip. No, we didn't have a "shotgun-wedding" but we do shoot some of the extra toaster overs.

This high-resolution clip comes pre-keyed in 2-versions for fast or slow-motion; it also loops seamlessly. For help looping in AE Click Here.

I added the words "Elite Series" so that people would not question my shotgun shooting abilities.

Watch Sample Video (this version does not have alpha)

Download Free Clip (17 MBs)

Compositing Tips: Place animation over your footage and animate the rotation over time to give the shell more variation as it spins out. You might also try moving the pivot point closer to the metal so it rotates off-balance for realism.

NEED MORE ACTION FOOTAGE?

If you like this clip be sure to check out our Action Stock Footage collection that features muzzle flashes, explosions and more spinning shells for .45 and .223 caliber brass.

More on Action Essentials 2

One thing that we did for our recent short was integrated footage shot with the Canon 7D and the Red camera. The Red footage was processed 'flat' so the image was not crushed until the final color treatment was established. The 7D footage however was setup at the default settings so there was already more contrast and a nice tone. There are some interesting tips for setting up your 7D with a flat look for those interested to get more color range out of the compressed footage.

Once you find the treatment you like the goal is to apply it to all of your shots so they look even and balanced but when your source material is not the same, the color treatments can be very different. Pay close attention to the color of the shadows and hilights with effects like Levels, Curves and Tint to control over-saturation.

I've included the HD plates for people that want to experiment or practice your own color timing.

Watch Color Comparison

Watch Complete Short

Then stay tuned for a tutorial based on the FX from the short as well as some fun behind the scenes entertainment.

Turn up your speakers and get ready for the 'Payment Plan'. Sam Loya is back again with an epic performance in super wide-screen.

Some people try to qualify their work by saying things like, "we only had $500 to make this" or "The cops came and we only had half the time to shoot".

Well this film had a budget of 80 MILLION dollars and 6 years of filming. It was shot in 3D and we converted it to 2D so it could be watched on a normal monitor.

The goal however, was to make it look like it was shot in one evening...

Watch Short Film Now

Earlier this month I mentioned this short film we created to demonstrate an effect for an upcoming tutorial... Well that film will be online later today.

There has been a lot of interesting guesses about what the effect will be... we'll find out together. Be ready. It may just be the worst thing you have ever seen!!