death of an android

[Tomsmall]

try using differnet blending modes, try compositing the lightning on a solid in front or behind and play with the belnding modes. I also created a similar effect by setting the start and end points of the lightning to random motion expressions. which creates the kind of electrical havoc youre describing. check out dan ebberts site http://www.motionscript.com hes got alot of great stuff on creating random motion expressions.

[Michael Szalapski]

Sparks are always good for something robotic when it kicks off and goes to that Great Rust Bucket In the Sky. Use Particular or ParticleIllusion or even Particle Playground to achieve them. Also death is seen in the eyes (not that I’ve seen death up close…very often… and anyway you can’t prove I did it!!!) so I’d try to do something to the eyes (unless they’re closed…)
Smoke, like sparks, is also good for electronics when they bite the bullet.

A lot of effects are sold by the sound. Make sure your sound is up to snuff.

Sparks, smoke, lightning (as suggested above), and sound should get you there. But there are always more things you could do to add to this effect.

– The Great Szalam
(The ‘Great’ stands for ‘Not So Great)

No trees were harmed in the creation of this message, but several thousand electrons were mildly inconvenienced.

[Tomogomo]

Hi

best You could do is to light Your subject during shooting a little
ie: random flashes of blue tinted light in places you want to add sparks after. It will GREATLY add reality to Your composition. Adding smoke sparks and blending modes afterwards is a must of course