One way to create the "fire" in the first video would be to use a particle generator - like trapcode particular to create fire, track the hand motion and use that to control the position of the emitter.
Video Copilot has a tutorial that is pretty similar to what you are trying to achieve in the 2nd video, take a look, you should be able to modify to suit your needs. -
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/3d_sparks_title/
Johnny Cuevas, Editor
Thinkck.com
"I have not failed 700 times. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work."
---THOMAS EDISON on inventing the light bulb.
