Add sci-fi light effects

1 Split and cut

Import our supplied Scifi Source clip. Add it to the timeline. Scrub to 8 sec and press Cmd+b to split the clip. Split it again at 13 sec. Select and Edit>cut the middle section.

2 Make a mix

Go to the Dissolves section of Transitions. Drag a Cross Dissolve between the two clips. Trim the dissolve to 01:15 sec. The transition makes the police box dematerialise.

3 Create compound clip

Drag the cursor to select the two clips and the Dissolve transition in the timeline. Choose File>new>compound Clip. Name the clip ‘Compound Clip 01’. Click ‘OK’.

4 Add flashing effect

Drag Compound Clip 01 from the bin to the timeline. Place it on a parallel layer above the original clip. Drag the Effects browser’s Flashing effect onto the top layer’s clip.

5 Mask the light

Drag the Vignette mask effect onto the top layer. Resize and reposition the mask so only the lamp can be seen flashing. In the Inspector set Size to 1.42 and Falloff to 0.04.

6 Flatten the layers

Drag the cursor to select both layers in the timeline. Choose File>new>compound Clip. Name the clip ‘Compound Clip 02’. Click ‘OK’. The two layers have been flattened together.

7 Light streaks

From the Light section of Effects drag Streaks onto Compound Clip 02. In the Inspector set Amount to 61.49, Thickness to -1.81 and Threshold to 1. Set Glow to 80.

8 Add movement

To add movement to the locked off camera sequence go to the Stylize section of Effects. Drag Handheld onto the Compound Clip. Set Shakiness to 12 in the Inspector.

9 Add sci-fi sounds

Go to the Audio sidebar. Select ‘Final Cut Pro Scifi’ folder. Add Filter Sweep FX 05 when the police box vanishes. Use Filter Sweep FX 06 as general sci-fi background ambience.