Lightsaber camera effects?

Question

How do I make the effects for a light saber battle?

what software?

is it really camera effects or is it just those really expensive replicas?

Answer 1

30+ years ago when the original Star Wars movies were made, it was really expensive post-production effects.  These days you have options.

For still shots, Photoshop can do it- and probably Paint Shop Pro, too.

See this tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gUZt1u9Q...

The lightsabers from Master Replicas aren't THAT expensive (well compared to a $10 toy they are).  But consider the cost of time... is it easier to spend $200 for a pair of lightsabers or spend 100+ hours editing frame-by-frame in software?

The problem is that expensive replicas might not hold up well to the violent action of a battle.  Just waving them around to deflect blaster fire that will be digitally added later is one thing, but for scenes whacking them against each other... I'd probably use cheap props wrapped in a reflective material like aluminum foil, and edit from there.



**Update**

Here's a clip about doing lightsaber effects in Final Cut Express:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZMzF_Vd4...

I'd like to know how these guys did it...