2001 space odyssey worm hole effect

[CookFX Productions]

Im trying to figure out a simple way, which in by no means did kubrick take this road. But in the video clip i left a link to, at 1 min :30 seconds they are doing an effect that i have read and been told is done with paint and water. Enamel paint or arilic, i have been un successful in re-creating this. I have tons of paint and a fish tank and i've been trying to get something that resembles the movement and color of that particular scene. Any ideas, or suggestions gratefully appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCb0IU8jBGI

 

[clang]

I'd assume it to be some variant on the old paper marbling trick, where swirls of oil paint are floated on water - if done in a really big water tank, then a camera could zoom over it? But looking at the clip, I might be completely wrong.

Personally, I use Particle Illusion for all my worm holes (okay, not that I use them that often!) - it has quite a range of effects along these lines.

 

[CookFX Productions]

When i made this post i was working under the assumption of water and oil based paints, I have no found the correct, or i should say the way this effect was done in the 60's for the psychedelic backgrounds that were played behind rock bands. I wasnt far off from my first concept of how to do it. I dont yet have video footage of this but i can say i should soo and will set up a post for people because its a cool effect for how simple it really is. Its based off of natural oils, that you color, water, and the big part of it is a rounded glass bowl that is very shallow, I used the face plate of a clock. Its then all put under the light of a over head projector and onto a wall were it is filmed. Very cool things you can do with this. Example soon, I need a overhead.

 

[Michael Carter]

The various "making of" docs mention the use of a "cloud tank" for the cloud-like effects; google it, there's a fair amount of info on making one.

 

[green thumb]

let's see that footage!