Adobe After Effects: How to Make Star Wars Force Lightning (for your non-journalistic projects)

Ok, so I’ll admit that this isn’t the most journalistic post I’ve ever had on the site. It’s probably the least journalistic actually. However, it’s summer. And class should be a little fun sometimes, right?

(Also, Star Wars might have a little to do with this, but who’s keeping track.)

One day you may want to use Force lightning for a PSA or some sort of commercial project. Maybe you just want to take a few days in class to let people explore After Effects and allow them to do something they don’t normally get to most days. I’ve always found something like this to be a good break in the routine and a good reset/recharge time for all.

There are lots of videos out there on how to do this. I just think this is a nice compact one that does a good job of explaining and showing how to do it without getting too far in the weeds.

Enjoy!

(And please remember to avoid using this in an actual journalism-focused video. That would be a no-no.)