I have AE7 and was wondering on suggestions for creating a shockwave that knocks down people in a crowd. It will originate from a single man and knock people down on both sides of it.
Are the people falling down on cue, or would they need replaced as well?
A shockwave would be simple enough, not only the ring expansion effect, but also any displacement maps or compound blurs. With a little masking of the effect so it "flows" around the people falling, you would have it.
pending the angle of the shot, using a riplle effect set on a 3d layer as a displacment map for the shot would likely work out ok. you might also want to consider using something like trapcode to create 3d layer rings and animate their expansion and other various proerties.
also, a simple 3D model with exen procedural textures expanding (at the correct angle of camera) would give the wave some depth, and can be textred over and over with different textures allowing you to really mix them up.
You may also want a transparancy map on your textures (for you 3D) so you can se through them.