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Realistic flame distortion - advice

No CGI needed. In fact, it's way too much work.

Reshoot the candle with real wind (fan, hair dryer, etc). If you "need" to keep that specific candle element, then just reshoot the flame with wind, and split it into the shot. You could shoot it all with an iPhone in about 30 minutes.

ROK
 
Yes. Shoot the flame over black. Take care NOT to over-expose the flame. Shoot it closeup, so it fills frame (but NEVER breaks the edges). Play the live action plate and blow wind at the same timings (I'm thinking blowing with your mouth may offer the most control).

Shoot all kinds of variations: no wind, short/tiny wind, longer/tiny, short/medium, longer/medium, and so on. Make a list of these variations and SHOOT THEM ALL. You don't want to go back and re-shoot this stuff. If absolutely needed, you'll even be able to blend between the various versions and it should look natural.


ROK
 
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