After Effects Test #3 - Flash Bang

For this after effects test, I have been experimenting with applying a flash bang light effect onto the footage. To begin with, I imported (again) the catterick garrison clip I had put together in Avid. I cut it down to the part I wanted and re arranged it on the timeline.

I then went to Google in order to find images to put over the clip. After two failed attempts at using images of fire and explosions (which were not effective), I came across the following image:

I chose this image because it is quite light and has the look of a flash bang from a game. I thought this would be effective as it would provide the flash without the explosion.

I put it over the clip and applied the 'screen' blending mode to it. I then stretched the image so I did not get the outer elements of the image, only the light screen.

I then adjusted the opacity to 65% and cut the clip of the flash down to a second fragment (so the flash will only appear on screen for a second). I copied and pasted the flash and applied to clip two more times, resulting in 3 flash bangs in the clip.

This did not look effective to begin with, so I played around with the opacity (on all of the flashes) and come to the conclusion that an opacity of 45% was more efficient and better quality.

This test looks okay, however, I think the flash bangs are less effective without the sound effects to go with them. This is something I will be experimenting with in my next flash bang test.