AE to create amputee?

[DC]

Hi,

I was wondering if AE was a good program choice to "remove" a person's limb in a particular shot? The desired effect is to give the impression of an amputee. The effect would be for a few quick, still shots within a short film. I'm shooting with my DVX100A in 24P Advance mode and editing with Avid Xpress Pro.

Any advice? If AE can do this, how difficult would it be? And if not, recommend any other software to accomplish this?

Thanks,

-DC-

[wade]

I'd buy some blue material and wrap it around the limb, and key it out.

I'm not sure if you'd have to match with a background plate though....which might be difficult..hmm. I didn't halp at all did I? :-/

[Jay_Blanchard]

If the camera is locked down with no pans, zooms, etc. the chroma key method should work just fine. Shoot the background first, use chroma cloth or paint on the area you want to "amputate", and apply the background as your key layer.

If the camera is going to move, you'll have to get into using AE's cloning tools.

[DC]

Cool, sounds like a plan. Would it be best to use blue or green material for keying?

Thanks,

-DC-

[Neil Rowe]

green. especially sionce the flame will have some blue or blueish elements to it.

[Jay_Blanchard]

what flame? I think you're still thinking about the "match strike" post, iamloser. chroma green is usually a safer bet, but it really depends on the colors in the shot.

[TylerGred]

They used blue wraps around Lt. Dan's legs in Forest Gump... if that helps...