Horror movie effect question Plese Help

[Nate Vander plas]

The arrow would probably be easier than the pitchfork. Just shoot perpendicular to the arrow’s direction, then animate a still of an arrow flying in. You could put a motion tracking point on the actor’s head where the arrow will enter (and exit), then use those points to keep the arrow on the head while he/she falls or whatever.
For the pitchfork, you’re probably better off just using a dummy or something. AE can only do so much.

[Danny Princz]

if you want this to look realistic, the most important thing will be how you shoot it.

who is that masked man…

[Steve Roberts]

For full realism, complete flexibility and employment of CG, the pros use 3D models of the talent, mapped with their image. As in the last two Matrix movies.

I’m betting that you should use a trick pitchfork that compresses on itself, shooting the area where it goes in (front?), then cut to the area (back?) where the fork sticks out, showing fork tines glued to the talent. Old school. 🙂

However, you might be able to show the fork tines coming out, but you’d need a 3D app to make the fork, and a matchmover like Syntheyes to track the talent.

Anybody else?

[Nate Vander plas]

Sometimes, if you just can’t do it realistically, the best option is to use the audience’s imagination. Show the victim fall to the ground off screen and then the killer stabbing wildly at the ground, with blood flying up. Then, if necessary, show the victim with stab wounds.

[Delete]

Why am I always saying this…
You don’t need AE for this type of effect.

The best ever shot of something stabbing through someone is in “Aliens” when Bishop gets stabbed by the queen’s tail. It’s a practical effect, no animation at all.

Arrow – stick it to the principle’s head and “shoot in reverse”, cut to back of head and pull a foam arrowhead and shaft out of wig with blood quib. (use your sicko imagination for details)

Pitchfork – run with a fake (for safety) pitch fork toward victim, cut to shot of back and show protrusions. Use the foam “aliens” trick or a dummy back with suibbed pitchfork. If that doesn’t make sense, think saltdough, fake blood, and aggressive stabbing motion… this will only work if your character has her shirt on. (If not, we all knew she was going to die in the movie anyhow)

Chainsaw – was there a chainsaw question?

They did crazy movies like this without digital effects long before I was born. I take that into account whenever storyboarding for a shoot.

[Don Logan]

I think if you create a mask to map to the actor and lower opacity to 0 you could bring the fork through the mask. it should look o.k with the right speed and a little blur.

[Graham Quince]

There is a half-way option between using a dummy and full CG. Shaun of the Dead did some great shots were ‘dummies’ were composited over live action. So maybe you could film in such a way that the pitchfork bursts through a shirt, but the actor is in the shot as well.

Graham

https://www.quinceweb.com – web design
——–
https://www.shiveringcactus.bravehost.com – Free FX for amateur films

[Delete]

there you go… Use the masking suggestion in a previous reply and the dummy shot. put tracking dots on your principle in camera and track the dummy plate to it in post to allow for blood splash on the skin or shirt.