[Michael Luckhardt]

Update! So the company I’m freelancing at actually had a license for Sapphire and I was able to install the Freelens plugin. It gave me exactly what I was looking for in terms of control @Chris Jeffries. So thank you for the Suggestion.

@Ryan Dunn, Before I got my hands on the plugin, I was trying something with the Lense Blur effect on an adjustment layer, which was using a precomped solid with a ramp in it as a luma matte. This was working OK, but Sapphire Freelens just gives way more control.

[Michael Luckhardt]

Haha, you’re not being flippant at all. Thank you so much for your well written response.

Ah! So it was done analogue, which is how they achieved such beautiful “Creamy blurs” as you so eloquently put it.

I love the idea of using stock footage as luma mattes to drive the blurs. I’ll give it a go and report back if I get something nice.

Thank you again.

[Michael Luckhardt]

Hey Mathew.

Thanks for getting back. Appreciate your time. Yah, I feel doing this by hand would just be the best way after having the sections sliced evenly. Fortunately we didn’t have time to fit this animation into the piece, so it got cut, but I’m still curious to try.

Best,
Michael

[Michael Luckhardt]

Thanks guys so much for responding and giving me all your suggestions. ‘m using After Effects CS4 at the moment and looking for some nice smoke alphas.