Paul, i dont think he was talking about the camera flashes. the end of the clip does a Hiro manuver... from the TV show Heroes. stopping of time.
this is something that can be done in after effects, but the scene is probably filmed and then they choose a point where they want to freeze everything, then they get everyone into position and they all stop moving and the camera is moved through the crowd.
some of the stuff that is floating has either got wires, stands or something holding it up that is tracked and screened out after the scene is filmed. something that AE and Mocha do well together.
then it also looks like some objects were created either in a 3d program or could be after effects faking 3d.
all in all i think a scene like this can be pulled off without going to a total computer created scene, but it would take a lot of time and effort to do this good a job.
there are a few tutorials i have scene which would help create some of the effects that are scene here. check these out:
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kramer_andrew/timeFreezeCow/video-t...
shows how to do a freeze time effect
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/the_blue_planet_in_3d/
i think this would work for the floating basketball, or any other "roundish" objects.
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial/simulated_lighting/
some of this would be able to create the flash of the photographers camera
i dont know if this helps, but i know that between creative cow and andrew kramer over at video copilot i have been able to extend my abilities in creating interesting effects far beyond what i thought i would ever be able to do.
sometimes it is worth it to sit down and just watch a tutorial for the heck of it. after watching your mind starts thinking, "hmmm. i could use that for..." and before you know it you are doing something that a few minutes ago you would have said "yeah, right..."
good luck with your project. let us know how it turns out.
