Special Effects for Filmmakers That Don't Need CGI

Lights, camera, action!

Are you an amateur filmmaker or videographer who wants to insert cool effects or camera tricks into your videos but doesn't have the money to buy the expensive software to insert them? Don't worry. Over the years, I have discovered cheap ways of making "special" effects with cameras without fancy CGI or professional film-making software.

I managed to figure these out when I was growing up when I had to use Windows Movie Maker while everyone else had the advantage of using Sony Vegas Pro and After Effects.

These effects are easy to do and are very effective.

1.) How to Film Your Own Camera Using the SAME Camera

YouTube videos, advertisements, behind the scenes features, and promotional videos will show clips of cameras and equipment to show off how fancy the equipment looks or to show how professional everything appears to be. Of course, these are filmed by having a camera operator record a shot of a film camera. But what if you only have one camera and want to make a promotional video for YouTube, a website, or a portfolio?

Use a mirror.

This effect is an illusion made to appear that one camera is filming another. The way this is done is to:

1. Have your camera facing towards you.
2. Have a large mirror—one large enough to fit the whole camera in the shot.
3. Slowly move the mirror around the front of the camera. Keep your hands steady and try to move as if you were trying to gently close a door. This creates the illusion that another camera is filming the main one.
4. If any text can be seen on the camera in the reflection, then it's best you "mirror" the shot in post-production on your software. If no text appears, then you should be alright.

The final result will be a shot of your camera while using the same camera.

In case you're wondering, Why not just film my camera's reflection in a mirror normally? Why do I have to hold the mirror in front of the camera? If you just film your camera's reflection normally then there is a chance that you may appear in the shot. Your goal is to get a shot of the camera itself. If you hold a mirror in front of the camera then your body is hidden away by the mirror and won't appear in the shot.

2.) How to Create the The 'Force' Effect From 'Star Wars'

In the movie Star Wars, there is an energetic force called "The Force" where an individual can perform certain supernatural tasks such as moving things into your hands using only your mind. Usually a person just has a light-saber or any other weapon fly into their hand, but this effect can be accomplished even by an amateur.

When you want to film a shot of a person using the force to get a hold of an object, what you would want to do is shoot a video of yourself throwing the object outwards. Before throwing, make sure the hand you're going to throw with is near your neck.

In post-production, play the shot of you throwing the object backwards and it will appear to be flying right into your hand, especially with your hand being near your neck which will make the effect appear more realistic.

In addition, you might want to add the sound of a hard object hitting your hand because the reversed-sound probably won't sound like the object hitting your hand.

3.) How to Dolly Without a Dolly

Most movies today have scenes where the camera is moving left to right or back and forth. These shots are done on what's called a "Dolly"—a track where the camera sits on so it can be moved left to right or forward and backwards. But what if you don't have a dolly track and can't afford to buy one?

Then make one at home. What you pretty much need is something with four wheels.

1. First, place your camera on a hydraulic rolling chair. You many want to make sure your camera is on a tripod first depending on what angle you want your camera to be facing. If you don't have a rolling chair then try using a skate board with a large, thin, empty box on it.
2. If you're alone, then make a long strand of bungie cords and have one end connected to the neck of the chair, or the front wheel leg, and the other end connected to your hand. This shot is meant for filming from the waist up. If you're not alone then have your partner place their hands on the left and right side of the seat and push slowly from behind.
3. Slowly pull the chair towards you using the strand of bungie cords. As for the box and skateboard, have a partner slowly push your home-made dolly from behind.

DISCLAIMER: The rolling chair effect works best inside on a flat surface while the box and skateboard effect works better outside on a flat surface. These are NOT meant to be done EVERYWHERE.

4.) How to Make Two People Shake Hands Using ONE Person

Have ever had a problem while filming where the other actor is missing and you're alone? Not to mention you need a shot of the two shaking hands in an agreement but only have one person?

You can still film a shot of a handshake with just one person. What you need to do is place the sleeve of the other character's shirt, jacket, or coat on the opposite arm of the other character that will also being shaking hands. One actor has two different sleeves on.

Then have the actor/actress place their own hands together (in-front of the camera) as if they were shaking hands with someone else. The hand that the actor/actress writes with should hold the four digits of the opposite hand with the thumb on the opposite sitting on the the thumb of the hand the actor writes with. It may look a little off so it's best for the actor/actress to shake both of their hands fast.

5.) How to Have a Character's Thoughts Heard Without Using Software

Have you ever watched a movie where a person was remembering something from the past and you could hear what the character was thinking? Like a person's voice or a certain sound? Well today, those can be done with software, but what if your software isn't working for some reason or you don't have software?

Well, you can still make the effect of hearing a character's thoughts. What you want to do is record the audio with an audio recorder or your cell phone. Then, later on, playback that audio while filming the scene where the character has a flashback. It will appear as if your character is having a flashback by remembering the voice or sound. This may be more beneficial for the performer because they can hear the actual sound rather than just trying to memorize or imagine it in their head, which can be challenging for the actor/actress.

So there you go. Those are a few special effects you can try out at home that did not need CGI. They did not need Chroma Key either. These effects I figured out back before I got Adobe Premiere Effects, and when I did, that's when I discovered the Star Wars effect. I hope many filmmakers out there have fun trying out and enjoying these need special effects.

I look forward to writing more about film production and film-related articles.