Not too long ago, we created a video in which a few magical things happened, utilizing one of the simplest, oldest tricks in the book: editing. Here’s a little highlight reel below.
In film and video, we have the ability to blend together two actions to make them seem like one action. And when you change certain things within the shot, this creates the illusion of something appearing, disappearing, or altogether changing.
As I said, this isn’t a new trick. It’s been around since film began, and has continued in use in all mediums of the moving image. Here are just a few examples:
See, everyone’s doing it. And why not, it’s quite simple. Say you want to show someone tossing a ball up in the air, and make the ball disappear. Film the person tossing the ball in the air, with the ball. Then film them again doing the same action, but without the ball. Take those two shots, and line up a moment where everything but the ball looks exactly the same in both. Make a cut there, put ‘em together and it’ll look like the ball has disappeared. Simple, right?
Sure, you could always film the action separately, do some rotoscoping, animate an actual ball, but sometimes you don’t have the time, money, or resources to do that. And oftentimes, you’ll discover that if you do this well, those bells and whistles are unnecessary.
Here are a few tips to sell the effect:
1) Make sure the angle is exactly the same.
This one is crucial. The edit needs to be hidden and the first thing that’ll tip the audience off is a change in angle. Even the slightest thing. When we shot the above video, we didn’t even touch the camera between setups. We let it roll while we set up to we knew it wouldn’t be bumped in the slightest.
2) Make sure the action is consistent.
Whatever action is in the shot must be continued in the same way. If all of a sudden the ball is being tossed differently, you’ll notice when the cut happens.
Are you starting to see a theme? Having the two frames be as exactly the same as possible will hide your cut. Even small lighting differences can ruin the effect.
3) Make the motion be an easily repeatable one.
By having the motion be something that you can do the same every time, it will be easier
4) Cut during the motion.
The effects that sell best are the ones that happen during a movement. Make the cut during motion, not before or after. It is more difficult to see the minute differences of two things in motion cut together than two things that are static.
With these tips and even just a bit of practice, you’ll be making movie magic in no time, without any expensive effect software.