Horror Twitch?

[povertylevelplayer]

I was wondering if anybody could tell me how I can create an effect I've seen numerous times in horror movies where the person has sorta an embelished twitch where their head moves back and forth quickly in an unnatuaral way. I really don't know any other way of explaining it.

 

[Dean Bull]

I can probably answer this one.

The Jacob Ladder effect is created by undercranking the footage, or by recording at a slower frame rate and then have the talent shake their head incredibly fast.

Another solution is to add a subtle camera shake in post using the wiggler in AE.

 

[povertylevelplayer]

I'll give it a try, thanks. Would I add motion blur to it?

 

[Dean Bull]

Motion Blur is KEY, I totally forgot that. Just click the universal motion blur button in AE.

 

[povertylevelplayer]

Will do, thanks.

 

[greeches]

I've not messed w/ the wiggler, except in prefab effects. Could you explain a little about it?

Thanks!

 

[Neal Buconjic]

Would love to see some clips, guys.

 

[Beat Takeshi]

You have to film them moving their head, arm or whatever really fast but for a longer time then wanted. If you want a second of footage i would shoot 10 seconds of it, then bring it into after effects and speed the ten seconds to 1 second with motion blur.

 

[povertylevelplayer]

Thanks, I always wondered how this was done. I definately need to try this soon.

 

[Matt Grunau]

Motion blur is only going to help if you are doing any frame movement in AE or another compositing package. If you have footage shot with a very slow shutter and have camera movement, simply clicking the motion blur button will not do anything.

The method suggested by dean, having any camera movement done in post is the only part of this thread in which motion blur from your software will do anything.