[Adam Hummell]

In response to the “help” from mr. David Bogie.

Of all the responses I’ve read on Creative Cow, this is the most pathetic attempt to insult somebody while making yourself sound superior.

From what I gathered, you sound like you actually know how to help david lieberman, instead you’ve chosen to highlight his questions and comments in a way that is belittling.

this post is indeed old, but obviously relevant because users often have the same questions years later.

to answer david lieberman’s question:

there are many ways to create this “flicker/horror movie” light.

the simplest but harder to control solution is a wiggle expression linked to your opacity.

alt + left mouse click on your layers opacity and add this expression

wiggle(f,m)

for example you would write: wiggle(5,100)

the f relates to the frequency(how many time per seconds), the m relates to the magnitude(the intensity of the change)

the easier method would be to use the wiggler:

1) in after affects –> window drop down menu –> select the wiggler

2) position two keyframes in your opacity. One for the beginning of your scene and one for the end (you can even start your keyframes at 0% either way that part is for your own personal choice of animation)

3) with the two keyframes selected, adjust the frequency and magnitude. (you’ll have to play with these settings to figure what looks right for you) I would suggest noise type “Jagged”

4) hit “Apply” and it will generate a bunch a keyframes in between the selected keyframes. these are all adjustable, if you don’t like them you can just delete them start over or delete the ones you don’t like.

about creating a light,

super fast solution: draw a solid round shape with the ellipse tool. put a nice feather on it, add some glows, maybe make a second small shape and put it over top of the bigger shape reduce the feather for variety, increase the glow and put it on “add” blending mode etc. you should eventually come out with a useful light.

now use that wiggle technique on the mask expansion instead of the opacity (it will look a lot better because it will preserve the glow)

this is a very quick light, I don’t suggest this if you need something custom. This will work tho, and it’s better than a lens flare.