Putting an effect on an entire display element vs the individual channels associated to the element??

[lightningrod4life]

Is there something I need to do to be able to apply effects to an entire display element vs. having to apply it to the individual channels for the element? For example, I have firesticks that I would like to apply fade effects to the entire firestick not just an individual channel, however I cannot seem to figure out a way to do so.