5 Amazing VFX Tutorials For
Cinematic Visual Effects

Scrapyard Films’ Josh takes you through the specifics of creating the spinning portal effect like Doctor Strange uses in the Marvel films. This tutorial is a great introduction to the Particle Generator effect in VEGAS Effects, and teaches you some basics of how to use cameras and 3D physics. Following the tutorial, you’ll created a shimmering, fiery, spinning circular portal effect that you can import into VEGAS Pro or most other NLEs. It starts with a VFX sequence of Josh himself generating and using the portal, and then he gets into the specifics of how to create the portal.

Josh follows up on the promise of his Doctor Strange effect sequence and teaches you how to make a mystic shield. Using multiple masks, rotations, and glow effects, you’ll create the shield, and then Josh integrates it into a live-action sequence. Combined with the portal tutorial, you’ll be well on your way to an epic blockbuster sequence.

Josh returns to create a simple but powerful effect allowing you to place the same actor into a single room, three times or more! Using multiple takes, precise masks, and a little bit of post-production camera movement, you can create a seamless conversation between yourself and yourself. This tutorial is for VEGAS Effects, but it uses tools found in most NLEs these days, so you can follow along in most any NLE.

Starting with the basics of green screen, Josh uses chromakey, glow, block displacement, and scan line effects to create a Star Wars-style hologram. A basic primer for chromakey and effects animation, you’ll learn how to make a hologram of yourself that’s not “too perfect” and will blend seamlessly into real-world footage. Your sci-fi movie-making dreams may start here.

Maybe superhero movies are more your style? Josh explores the interaction between VEGAS Pro and VEGAS Effects and takes a sequence from the VEGAS Pro timeline to edit directly in VEGAS Effects. In it, Josh launches himself into the sky and soars to the rescue, with a few camera tips along the way. When he’s done, the sequence automatically updates on the VEGAS Pro timeline.