Summary Box: Cheaper computers and software bring special effects even to amateur movies

Summary Box: Being a home special effects wizard

HOMEMADE EFFECTS: Movies popping up online have explosions, spaceships and other visual effects that once had been possible only for big Hollywood studios.

TECHNOLOGY’S MARCH: The falling costs of computing power, effects software and cameras are making it easier for everyday people to augment homemade videos.

DEDICATION REQUIRED: Producing the effects still takes time. It can take weeks to make a short video.