Making the Hands of God

nirvanray wrote on 12/13/2015, 6:24 AM

Dear friends,
I am working on an ambitious surreal story that involves death, God and eternity.
For this, I need to set the visuals of two big hands (male) as God holding the globe in space.
Second is a soul leaving the body.

For reference I have attached some pictures and somewhat want the effect like this.
I will be very thankful if you can guide me. Please note I do not have any facility for green screen.
Please suggest.
Regards.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 12/13/2015, 2:35 PM

Hi Anirban

. . . .  a soul leaving the body. . . . .

This is a 'Freeze and go' effect there are many ways of doing this.

If you are using your digital camera - IIIRC it will allow you to take a still image while recording - use the remote control if you have one to avoid disturbing the camera as follows

The camera must be on a tripod - film the actor and just before the point of departure from the body while still videoing, take a still picture.  You will need to cue the actor when to start rising while you continue videoing.

When editing, place the video on one track and the image on another. The image starts at the point just before the actor rises - you may need to fade in the image quickly - if this occurs as the actor rises then it will appear to be part of the 'rising'.

Make a cut at the point the image starts then adjust the relative transparency of the video section of the actor rising and the image to achieve what you want.

If the background causes issues where it can be seen through the actor when rising, then it may be necessary to make a black/white mask from the still image for use with Chroma key.

There also many tutorials on Youtube how to achieve this effect.

The hands holding the globe - this depends on what you are trying to portray and if a still image is to be used - I would suggest the following options for the following 'scenarios':

How small earth is in the universe - a very large hand, in monochrome, holding a small earth, in colour against a simple dark background with a few small highlight/flares to simulate stars

The ethereal artistic approach - I would suggest the hand or hands need to be semi transparent, the earth hovering just above, with a highlight or flare either in a corner with rays of light or between the hand and earth

Or something like this.

HTH

John EB

Last changed by johnebaker on 12/13/2015, 3:17 PM, changed a total of 3 times.

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nirvanray wrote on 12/14/2015, 3:56 AM

Dear John,

Thanks for your kind comments and the answer.

Can you kindly send me a YT link (any editing software is fine). Just need some idea. 

Both the hands ideas are fine (Indeed first one is very smart). I can add some flares as well in post.

Regards again.

 

Anirban