It's a live action plate - and a particle system (could be AE or motion). THe animator may be tracking the actors motions, or may be hand building the particle systems to make it look like they react to the actor.
The second swordsman was shot on green screen, and the used his alpha channel (like the iPod commercials) - along with some particle systems built around him.
Best,
Jeff G
Apple Master Trainer | Avid Cert. Instructor DS/MC | Adobe Cert. Instructor
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