gun cross hair effect, can anyone help?

I'm a novice and know nothing at all what I'm talking about, but I would film through a large iron pipe (like 2 1/2") with an unfocussed lense or blurry close-up. Then I would move that file into motion and put a round mask in the center, increase the size of the total 'group' to fit the screen. Then draw some cross-hairs, with what ever other scale are required to match the gun make. Make sure the cross hairs are layered over the mask.

Then, or before, import the 'scene' as a different group, layered behind the 'scope' group. Start and animation using keyframes or motion paths on the scope group to get the sighting-in effect. Take into account the 'skill' level and breathing pattern of the 'shooter'.

... or you could simply create an overlay in Photoshop and bring it in with an alpha channel or as a layered file (assuming you're not on FCX)...

I have a great video for you. The first one that Capt. Mench (now Lt. Col. Mench) did five years ago.

http://proappstuff.com/proapptipsvideotutorials/879F6B61-CFF9-4FD1-8D43-FDF89605 611A/B8779EFF-85D2-4AF9-9968-47C83C0C56C9.html

Nice post, Shane! I'm persuaded to go ahead with the dinosaur land project with my boys! Maybe you could persuade the Colonel to post an e-mail contact or Pro-Dad support group or something?

Mark, I LOVE that idea. I can't call myself a pro, and I won't call myself a hobbyist (hate that word)... Pro-Dad sums it UP!

http://web.mac.com/captmench/Site/Movies/Entries/2009/11/28_First_DInner.html

My favorite Pro-Dad movie.

CaptM

Really cool! Awesome projects! How many Dads would love to have a video like that but lack the knowledge or skill, time or money to make it happen? Now the technology is here and affordable (apart from the variable of creative genius), but there's a bottle-neck of participants.

I've been trying to keep my projects within cost, time, and skill constraints to see where the most gains are to be made for the average Dad.

First would be to simplify the step-by-step selection and use of hardware, software and technique. Something like a Dad's field manual for video editing.

Second, in my opinion, is to develop more portable and flexible camera stands to match the smaller cameras that are available. The unique production challenge that Moms or Dads face is to create a movie of a group while being in the movie, and also without missing the activity of the group. So far, I've had to make my own hardware to help meet these challenges.

Here's a movie from our zoo trip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoOVeQlOS4c It's actually an i-movie production. It's meant to display the results of a cheep camera, if used with a convenient stand. Editing time was kept within the constraints of an average Saturday morning.

Here's my e-mail if you want to develop a plan of action for increasing the number of Pro-Dads: leavenworths@att.net