My First VFX!

A good approach to take when making visual effects test videos like this is to create an effect that has a purpose: for instance, having a specific object or person blow up, firing a laser pistol, or making it rain or snow when there aren't any clouds in the sky.

In your case, you have three random green explosions popping up in the middle of an entry way, which not only makes it hard to determine what they are or where they're coming from, but we have no basis upon which to judge whether they're good looking or not.

I think the effect looks pretty cool. Don't get me wrong. There is some good grit and shape to these. But I can't tell how much of that effect was from the originals that you downloaded, and how much of them are things that you added or incorporated yourself. If we knew the context of these explosions, where they came from and/or what they are, it would be easier to give advice on how to make them look more like what they're "supposed to be."

It also helps if things like explosions actually affect their environment: leave a hole in the ground or burn and darken the area around them.

Also, the best people I know for making really useful and versatile visual effects tutorials are Film Riot. https://www.youtube.com/user/filmriot

I think someone else had suggested them to you. They are a pretty solid general resource for all things film, and their VFX tutorials are straight forward and very quick, so they can tell you a lot in a short amount of time.

It's also a great idea to look at anything that Video-Copilot has produced as far as tutorials go, as they are heavily connected with After Effects, producing their own plug-in effects for use within it.
https://www.youtube.com/user/videocopilot/videos

Yep video co pilot is a great place too look and learn from them

PhilingFilms said:

Ok so it's been 2 years of me messing around with the camera. 1 year I decided to just film anything learn camera angles and scripts. The next year it was all about editing, but also being good at editing. I've never got the time to do VFX so this is my very first one.

I learned how to do it by a guy named Surfaced Studios and his tutorials. He's got a great surface since every time i comment in his vids he responds, but he only response once. Anyways I learned how to color grade my scene to look like a movie. (usually it looks grainy and too bright)

Then he recommended downloading a explosion pack that was for free. the effect pack is alright but not grand. All explosions no dirt action you know? So I'm wondering what would be a good exposion pack.

My next question is what should I VFX now? Mind you im still following surfaced studios tutorials on VFX, but I'm just wondering what people on this site have to think about it.

vvvvvv My First VFX vvvvvv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw9gqEAnFBE

P.s What would make this look even better?

Click to expand...

In terms of what to do next- whatever you want, or need to do. I got into vfx because I had to fix things that I shot, then got more into it as I started to fix what agencies or other directors shot.

Here is my reel, maybe you will get some ideas.

https://vimeo.com/134272144

If not, just put a cat's head on a persons body