Gobos

Gobos are lighting devices that create an illusion. For example, project light through a venetian blind onto a set and then videotape the resulting effect of a room filled with filtered light. Another example produces the effect of light from a flickering campfire. Shine a red-orange filtered light through streamers that are being blown from underneath by a fan. The result resembles the illusion of flickering campfire light.

Masks

A mask is a piece of cardboard with a shape cut out of it to mask part of the picture. For instance, cut out a keyhole and mask the camera lens with it when you want to show someone being spied on.

Models

Use scale models to show long shots of locations, airplanes or spaceships. Use colored cloth or cardboard as your background and matching thread to suspend objects in front of the background. Move the camera past suspended objects to create motion.

Video editing software programs have visual effects filters that allow compositing more than one image into a scene. The green screen/blue screen will allow you to key in your talent onto live or recorded video just like the TV weatherman. For a cheap screen, buy some fabric and stretch and glue it to poster board. Illuminate with inexpensive floodlights and adjust the key color. Remember, all instances of the blue/green can be keyed out, so try covering hands or face with gloves dyed that color. Now pick up an item without using (showing) your hands.

Video editing software programs have visual effects that allow you to reproduce the look of old-time movies, such as creating the illusion of scratches and dust. The best way to learn the effects is to create a short video clip and apply each effect.