I used Cycles for this. It doesn't make any differences if is GPU or GPU. It all works!! It works off a spotlight and the wave modifier and a few other adjustments. Just click on the spotlight and it will all be there
http://webee.technion.ac.il/~yoav/research/flicker/flicker.jpg
i think yours is backwards
That the benefit of using gimp. You can turn the model around to any angle. With the plugin of insanebump it will provide you with all of the maps that you need to make it real, or as real as possible...
Very realistic effect - well done.