After Effects | COMD 411 01 | Spring 2011: 2011

Final Project: Motion Graphics Reel

Due Date: May 5, 2011 - 6:30pm

Description:
Selecting from the projects you worked on in this class (or any other motion graphics work you've done) create a 45 second to 1 minute video to a soundtrack of your choice.

Don't use full-length pieces. It is better to select best moments from each project (3 sec - 10 sec) and splice them together. Exceptions can be made for work you are particularly proud of.

The animation within the clips you choose does not have to perfectly match the reel's soundtrack. However, you should try to time the beginning/end of the clips to the beat.

Your reel MUST have an intro AND end slide with your full name and contact info. Make sure it stays on screen long enough to be read.

Specs:
1280x720 @ 29.97 fps
Your quicktime MUST be compressed (h264 or mpeg4)

References:
www.robertpaynter.com
http://blanksight.net/

You can also browse freelancer reels here: http://www.mographwiki.net/Category:Freelancers

Project #7: Style Frames/Storyboard for "Ransom Note"

Due dates:
Style Frames and Storyboards: April 14, 2011
Animation: April 28, 2011 - end of class.

Ransom Note Animation:
The Ransom Note assignment will be a 30 second animation that expresses the contents of a ransom note using both text and images with a soundtrack of your choice. For this project you can use any/all techniques we have covered over the semester to express your creative vision. The only required technique is 3d layers/camera.

Style Frames:
Create 2 - 3 frames using the design software of your choice (NOT After Effects) that will identify the visual style of your "Ransom Note" animation. The frames can illustrate specific frames from your storyboard or just an approximate brainstorm of what you would like to do. Make sure the style you choose is achievable in 1 - 2 weeks.

Storyboard:
Create 6 - 9 hand-drawn thumbnail sketches that illustrate the progression of your shots. Time the shots in your head (try using a stopwatch or counting in your head as you imagine the motion). Visualize working in 3d space and using cameras. Begin brainstorming the techniques you might implement. SCAN OR PHOTOGRAPH YOUR BOARDS FOR SUBMISSION.

Week 11: April 07, 2011

3D LAYERS

To manipulate a layer in 3d space, click inside the "3d" check-box of the layer (under the cube symbol).
When changing the Z-position of a layer, a negative value will bring an object closer to the "default camera" and a negative value will move it farther away.
Play with the appearance of your 3d layer using "Material Options" (effective when using lights)

CAMERA

Camera Settings:

Layer > New > Camera
A camera will affect only 3d layers
Use the camera tool ("c") to quickly manipulate the camera
For better camera control, work with 2 or more views (bottom of the "Composition" window) with each view set to a different angle. Note: only the "active camera" view will render.

Camera Animation–Transform attributes:

Always set keys to both Point of Interest and Position

Point of Interest: the direction in which the camera faces (the "bulls-eye" dot, best accessed from the top or side views)
Position: The actual location of the camera

Whenever possible, limit yourself to keying only the Point of Interest and the Position. Most camera moves can be achieved without using rotation attributes.

Camera Options:

Zoom: always use Position to get closer to or farther away from an object. Use zoom only for situations when Depth of Field is turned on and you want to preserve the blur levels of your background/foreground
Depth of Field: blurs objects based on their proximity to the camera. Depth of Field can result in unmanageable render time. In complex scenes, it is sometimes easier to fake it by manually applying the Blur effect (Effects > Blur and Sharpen) to individual layers
Focus Distance: sets the values for Depth of Field
Aperture: play with it to get different blur results
Blur Level: controls the strength of the DOF blur. Using a value greater than 100% can result in undesirable pixelation.

LIGHTS

Layer > New > Light
Spot Light: offers better controls, similar to those of the camera (Position/Point of Interest)
Like cameras, lights will only affect 3d
Casting shadows:

on the light layer: light options > turn on "Casts Shadows"
on the object layer: material options > turn on "Accept Shadows"
control the shadow appearance on the light layer > light options
to cast shadows, the casting layer must be next to another 3d layer which has "Accepts Shadows" turned on (usually on by default).

Project #6: Video effects

Due Date: March 31, 2011

Animation:

Select 20 seconds of video footage (can be more than one clip) and use After Effects effects to make it unrecognizable. Use your creative judgement to make it an interesting abstract piece rather than a pile of heavy effects. Set it to a soundtrack of your choice.

Specs: 1280x720 @ 29.97 fps

Week 10: March 31, 2011

EFFECTS–PART 2

Effects categories and noteworthy effects (continued)

Time effects
CC Force Motion Blur
CC Time Blend/CC Time Blend FX
CC Wide Time
Echo
Posterize Time
Time Displacement
Time Warp

Simulation

Explore the entire group

Generate

Ramp
Fill
CC Light Burst
CC Light Rays
CC Light Sweep
Stroke (see the next section)

STROKE EFFECT

To simulate handwriting, always use the Stroke Effect, NOT the Write-On effect (Effects > Generate > Stroke)
Using the stroke effect:

Create a solid black layer (Layers > New > Solids)
Use the pen-tool to trace the shape you want to reveal. You don't have to close the mask path. If you do close the mask path, make sure to set the mask to "none".
Create more masks for better timing control
Add Stroke effect to the layer
In the "Path" pulldown , chose a mask (you must create a new stroke effect for every mask you have)
Adjust stroke effect settings:

color: always make it white
brush size: make it slightly thicker than the shape you are revealing but not thick enough to reveal undesired parts of the shape out of order
paint style: on original image

Animate by changing the values of "Start" or "End"

If you are animating multiple Stroke effects, set keyframes to the first one and duplicate (Command + D) in the "Effect Controls" window and change the "path" of each to correspond with the desired mask. When you duplicate a stroke effect, the keys are also duplicated.

TUTORIALS:
Stroke Effect:

http://layersmagazine.com/animated-handwriting-in-after-effects.html

Inspiration 03.17.11: Effects

PIC Agency: “Push” title sequence
http://vimeo.com/14434360

Ghost Town Media: Linkin Park music video
http://www.motiongraphics.it/2010/11/linkin-park-waiting-for-the-end/

Sarofsky: The Killing title sequence
http://www.sarofsky.com/#killing

Click3X (http://www.click3x.com/): music video for Solange's "I Decided"
http://www.click3x.com/#/our_work/music_videos/i_decided

Week 9: March 24, 2011

TRACK MATTES REVIEW

EFFECTS (PART 1)

To apply an effect to a layer, select the layer and go to Effects > "category" > "effect name"
Adjust your effect in the "Effect Controls" window (by default appears on the left side next to the "Project" window).
When you apply an effect, keep in mind that you can set keyframes to any effect control that has a "stop watch" symbol next to it.
Effect categories and noteworthy effects:

Color Correction
Blur and Sharpen

Gaussian Blur: use for general blurring
Unsharpen Mask: use to sharpen your image. For best results, create a luminance mask and apply sharpening to highlights only:

duplicate the image/footage three times
leave the bottom layer as is
set the layer second from the bottom on "Luma Matte" setting (the top layer will be used as the mask)
apply "Unsharpen Mask" to the layer second from the bottom. Thanks to the Luma Matte mask, the sharpening will only be visible in the lighter spots.
Control the amount of sharpened highlights visible by applying "Curves" or "Levels" to the top (mask) layer and darkening/lightening it.

Stylize

Glow

Distort

Mesh Warp/Liquify: use for precise distortion of images/video over time
Offset: use to create an illusion of a very long, seamless moving texture
Optics Compensation: use it to create an illusion of 3d space/fish-eye lens effect

Transition

Linear Wipe: use as a more visually creative substitute to fade an image/footage on or off. Make sure to have the feathering set at a high value.
Gradient Wipe: use to fade an image/footage on or off based on the luminance values of itself or another layer in the comp (specify the luminance reference layer in the "Gradient Layer" pulldown.

Week 8: March 10, 2011

TRACK MASKS

alpha matte

create a mask based on the top layer's transparency

luma matte

create a mask based on the top layer's luminance (black and white values)

track mattes and nested comps

USING ORGANIC ELEMENTS

building a track mask transition using Ink or Smoke footage

luma matte vs alpha matte
use Curves or Levels (Effects > Color Correction > ...) to force perfect blacks/whites for luma-mattes
use Solid layers (Layer > New > Solid) to force full-frame black or white color (for luma mattes) or 100% matte opacity (for alpha mattes)

paint spatter

TUTORIALS:

Simple Track Mattes:

http://macdesignpro.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=33209

http://vimeo.com/20941657

Ink Bleedng Effect in After Effects (creating a Luma Matte mask):

http://www.gomediazine.com/tutorials/ink-bleeding-effect-in-after-effects-like-gnarls/

Splatter Effect:

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial/fun_with_ink/

Inspiration 03.10.11: Blending Modes

Johannes Nyholm: Dreams from the Woods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yedD4JsZyT0&feature=related
* This is a traditional puppet piece that can serve as inspiration for the look and feel blending modes will help you achieve.

Inspiration 03.10.11: Mixed Media

Emanuel Cohen (Universite du Quebec a Montreal): “A Bout De Mots”

http://vimeo.com/14434960*AE + negative scans

Andrew S Allen (www.andrewsallen.com): The Thomas Beale Cipherhttp://vimeo.com/19115071

Fran and Will Krause: Dog in a Burning Building
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYjli42Rxwk

Edouard Sallier: The Replicants "User"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOaLA0vAPUU

Week 7: March 03, 2011

TYPOGRAPHY: PART 3

text animators (continued)
advanced settings

based on
shape
randomize order/random seed

text animator presets

"Effects and Presets" window > Brows Presets (dropdown menu)

BLENDING MODES

blending mode types
stencil/silhouette
blending modes within nested comps: collapse transformations

Inspiration 03.10.11: Ink

Danny Yount (Prologue Films): Sherlock Holmes title sequence
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2010/01/21/sherlock-holmes/

Troublemaker Studio: Machete title sequence
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2011/02/28/machete/
* scroll down for the making of cool masks.

Sehsucht: KHD Symphony in Red
http://vimeo.com/12259774

Christopher Hewitt
Reading Nature: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ZhNsGrhiI&feature=related
Laika: http://digup.tv/?rub=galerie&item=49&lang=en

Project #5: Animated Song Lyrics

Due date: March 10, 2011

Animation:
Choose 20 seconds of a song and animate the lyrics. Make your type reflect the meaning of the words.

Use both the manual and the text animator techniques. DO NOT use a text animation preset unless you modify it beyond recognition.

Specs:
- 20 seconds
- 1280 x 720 @ 29.97 fps
- h264 or mpeg4 compression; DO NOT hand in animation compression files: they are too big for me to upload.

Student Work: Project #4

A Ten Letter Word

Theo B: http://vimeo.com/20355274
Anna F: http://vimeo.com/20355183
Makenzie J: http://vimeo.com/20357879
Eunice J: http://vimeo.com/20610704
Chris P: http://vimeo.com/20355089
Sarah S: http://vimeo.com/20355224
Christiana T: http://vimeo.com/20355108

Week 6: Feb 24, 2011

TYPE—PART 2

review: editable text from photoshop and illustrator
character and paragraph tools
animating text manually

create a text guide
animate back to front (set end keyframes first)

animating text paths

select the text layer
create a mask
use mask as path

using text animators

text attribute options
text animator envelopes
animating the offset: animator > range selector
advanced options: "based on" (characters, words, lines)

Student Work: Project #3

Student Work: Project #2

Geometric Shapes

John B: http://vimeo.com/20319391
Jacob B: http://vimeo.com/20328041
Anna F: http://vimeo.com/20319857
Nora G: http://vimeo.com/20317845
Mike G: http://vimeo.com/20318526
Chris P: http://vimeo.com/20315398
Sarah S: http://vimeo.com/20317472

Inspiration 02.17.11: Creative uses of masks

You can use masks to create animations of morphing shapes. As you watch Jane Aaron's "Set in Motion", think of how you could animate mask paths on color solids to mimic the effect of the stop motion lines traveling across the environment.

Jane Aaron - Set in Motion (1987)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0efertdbm2I

Project #4: A Ten Letter Word

Due date: February 24, 2011

Animation:
Select a 10 letter word (e.g. greasewood) and music of your choice. In 30 seconds, spell out the word letter by letter and then bring on the entire word. You can create letters using either After Effects or importing them from another program.

Note: Because of the time constraint, I would suggest for you to animate the 10 individual letters quickly and spend more time bringing in the full word.

Specs:
1280x720, square pixels, 29.97 fps, h264 compression

Inspiration 02.17.11-03.03.11: Typography

Interview with Kyle Cooper
http://vimeo.com/9020112

Non-Digital/Natural Materials:
Jesse Zanzinger: Refraction—The Alphabet
http://vimeo.com/17509873
Ed Aclerman and Collin Morton: Primiti Too Taa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcrTzPAUqic&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Telling a Story:
Matthew Rogers: Stephen Fry Kinetic Typography—Language
http://vimeo.com/15412319
Curious Pictures: Nike—The Girl Effect
http://www.vimeo.com/13554052

Complex Type Animation:
Sebastian Lange: Flickermood 2.0
http://vimeo.com/3302330
Sehsucht: Mercedes-Benz Bas Child
http://vimeo.com/7522026

Visit these sites for good text animation references:
The Art of the Title Sequence:
http://www.artofthetitle.com/
Forget the Film, Watch the Titles:
http://www.watchthetitles.com/
IFC: 50 best title sequences of all tiems
http://www.ifc.com/news/2011/02/the-50-greatest-opening-title.php?page=11Passion Pictures (typography):
http://www.passion-pictures.com/flash.html#page=k11

Week 5: Feb 17, 2011

PRE-COMPING AND NESTING:

how to pre-comp
why pre-comp
nesting comps

References:
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/preston_bryan/precomp.php
* Ignore the sections about "Applying Effects" and "Rendering for Avid" as we didn't cover the first and won't go into the second.

SOLIDS:

creating a solid layer

layer > new > solid or "Command + Y"

editing solid layer settings

layer > solid settings or "Shift + Command + Y"

MASKS:

creating a mask

select a layer
use a pen tool or any of the geometry tools (rectangle, ellipse, etc) to apply a path

mask states

add, subtract, intersect, lighten, darken, difference

mask transforms

path, feather, opacity expansion

animating mask paths

References:
http://www.adobepress.com/articles/article.asp?p=1661078

TYPE—PART 1:

importing text: Convert to Editable Text

Photoshop file: import into AE, place in comp, right-click > Convert to Editable Text
Illustrator file: export as psd file, import into AE, place in comp, right-click > Convert to Editable Text

creating text in AE: type tool ("Command + T")

References:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/aftereffects/cs/using/WSB0C11C4A-7F82-4fdf-81DD-3E39B052541Aa.html

Project #3: Deconstructing Logos

Due date: Feb 17, 2011

Animation:
Create three animations of 7 to 10 seconds each, in which you build up and then take apart a logo or symbol of your choice. You can choose to focus on one logo and create three different animations or use three different logos. Make sure the shape you choose is complex enough for an interesting animation.

Your logos MUST be a layered illustrator vector file.

Specs:

1280x720, square pixels, 29.97 fps, h264 compression

Hints:

Don't forget to turn on continuous rasterization when you animate (see image below).
Place your logo elements on SEPARATE LAYERS and not simply sub-layers (see image below). After Effects does not recognize sub-layers and will import your file as flat.
Import your file as a "Composition—retain layer size".

Continuously Rasterize

ai layers vs. sublayers

Inspiration 02.10.11: Deconstructing Logos

Chermayeff & Geismar
Logomotion Detail 1: http://vimeo.com/10388543
Library of Congress: http://vimeo.com/10262031
Amnesty International: http://vimeo.com/10259987

Clim: Atzucac Films

http://vimeo.com/4811769

Big Spaceship: Pretty Loaded

www.prettyloaded.com

- This website features an archive of flash animation for web-site loaders. Some of the examples can give you inspiration into your logo assignment. Sit through a few to get some ideas, keeping in mind our motion lessons.

2010 Motion Graphics Design Census

Check out the latest statistics about the field of motion graphics—from work hours to salary, education background, age, etc...

http://motiongraphicdesigncensus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010_MGDC_RESULTS.pdf

Week 4: Feb 10, 2011

MOTION (continued):

keyframes (continued)

rove across time

parenting

to layers
to null objects

using illustrator paths as motion paths:

Open Adobe Illustrator and from Edit>Preferences>Files & Clipboard menu turn on AICB with Preserve Paths selected

auto orient
motion blur
title/action safe

WORKING WITH FOOTAGE:

importing/working with photoshop layers
working with illustrator layers: continuous rasterization

Inspiration 02.03.11: Geometric Shapes

Use these animations as inspiration for your "Geometric Shapes" project. Pay attention to the mood, rhythm, motion and scene changes.

Tim Finn: CMYoKay

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3333134361/

Frater Films: Youth Music Box

http://vimeo.com/6248465

Studio AKA: BUPA Fell Better campaign

http://www.studioaka.co.uk/#/work-bupafeelbettercampaign

Janet Perlaman: Sorry Film Not Ready

http://vimeo.com/17849456

Frater Films: Oxfam Swap It

http://vimeo.com/2979309

Project #2: Geometric Shapes

Due date: February 10, 2011

Chose a soundtrack with good rhythm and create a 30 second animation using geometric shapes.

Assets:
The shapes can be created in Illustrator or Photoshop. Keep your design tasteful but as simple as possible—the aim is to practice animation skills.

Animation:
You can use any transform attributes we covered: position, rotation, scale, opacity. Use the "ancor point" transform to change the center of your object when needed (for example, when you want to scale your object from the base as opposed to the center).

Use a variety of shapes and/or scenes—don't have the entire 30 seconds be two circles spinning around on a screen. Whatever you do, make sure it goes with the music.

Specs:

Format: 1280 x 720 @ 29.97 fps
Render: quicktime with h264 compression or mpeg4. Make sure to render with audio!

Reference: (also posted in the inspiration section)
* Some of these videos may contain animation a bit fancier than what we covered. Focus on the mood, the speed and ponder how you could achieve similar results could be achieved using the transform attributes.

Tim Finn: CMYoKay
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3333134361/
Frater Films: Youth Music Box
http://vimeo.com/6248465
Studio AKA: BUPA Fell Better campaign
http://www.studioaka.co.uk/#/work-bupafeelbettercampaign
Janet Perlaman: Sorry Film Not Ready
http://vimeo.com/17849456
Frater Films: Oxfam Swap It
http://vimeo.com/2979309

Student-Submitted Videos

Anna Fuentez

- Opening titles for Up in the Air: http://www.shadowplaystudio.com/work/up_in_the_air/

Michael Ryterband

- Sommar: http://vimeo.com/19403316

- Red Head Speed Skater: http://vimeo.com/3817665

Theo Barron

- Chemical Brothers's "Swoon": http://vimeo.com/12462719

Eunice Joung

- Pratt DDA: http://vimeo.com/14235906

- "Tale of the Three Brothers" from Harry Potter—The Deathly Hollows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoKY9ODj-1c

- Ben Hibon (designer) for Stainless Films: http://www.statelessfilms.com/main.htm

Sarah Steinmetz

- Beyonce's "Why Don't You Love Me": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QczgvUDskk0

Jacob Berlow

- How To Airbnb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaOFuW011G8

- Transvideo Studios: http://www.transvideo.com/

John Banom

- Ramona Falls "I Say Fever": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga0ohgZFVqc

Michael Gutierrez

- N.A.S.A's "Way Down": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVra5cOVfL0&feature=channel

- "Western Spaghetti" by PES: http://www.eatpes.com/western_spaghetti.html

Week 3: Feb 3, 2011

FROM LAST CLASS:

reloading/troubleshooting footage issues
working with audio: waveforms, volume control
rendering review

Render Settings
Output Module
Output To

compression
new class format: 1280 x 720 progressive at 29.97 fps (720p)
class review of Project #1

MOTION:

keyframes

keyframe interpolation

bezier curves/handles

ease-in/ease-out/easy ease

creating custom ease with Graph Editor

Motion Tutorials:

Keyframes:

Assignment: Jan 27, 2011

Due date: Feb 3, 2011

E-mail me a link to a video you really like and write a few lines of your thoughts on it. It can be anything from traditional animation to commercial motion graphics or experimental work. I will post the videos on our inspiration page and will try to go over them in class to decipher how they can be recreated or faked in After Effects. It will also give me an idea of your personal taste.

Send email to: yparshina@gmail.com

Week 2: Jan 27, 2011

I am sorry we lost a day of class yesterday and hope none of you missed the class cancellation announcement. I will see if it is possible to make up a session sometime in the course of this semester.

I won't assign an additional project for next week. Keep working on the timing and design of your current piece and visit the "inspiration" section. Make it look like two weeks worth of work!

There is one small assignment for next class:
E-mail me a link to a video you really like and write a few lines of your thoughts on it. It can be anything from traditional animation to commercial motion graphics or experimental work. I will post the videos on our inspiration page and will try to go over them in class to decipher how they can be recreated or faked in After Effects. It will also give me an idea of your personal taste.

Sometime this weekend I will post tutorials relevant to our last class (I was hoping to do it this morning but work got the best of me).

See you next week!

Inspiration 01.20.11: Timing, rhythm, composition.

Here are some videos to give you an idea for the "Simple Story" project. Though some of the videos feature motion, I want you to focus on timing, rhythm, soundtrack and composition can tell an effective story.

Michel Gondry: "La Tour de Pise"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwhgMGhT-mQ&feature=related

Stefan Nadelman: "Terminal Bar"
clip 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqLNXH62Nbw
clip 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdyZ9LOXmZA&feature=related

Shoot the Boss (Montreal): "Nature Boy"

http://vimeo.com/2750104

Passion Pictues (London): "Stones in Exile" trailer
http://www.passion-pictures.com/flash.html#page=v2100&video=v2100

Keyboard Shortcuts

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/aftereffects/cs/using/WS3878526689cb91655866c1103a9d3c597-7987a.html

"Using Adobe After Effects CS5" online

This seems to be a very handy user guide/textbook available online for free. A bit hard to browse with a slower internet connection but a great reference source.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33133837/Adobe-After-Effects-CS5-Help#outer_page_265

Project #1: A Simple Story

Due date: January 27

Project Description:
Select a topic (example: city, suburbia, nature, birth, death, childhood, etc.). Collect images, movie files and sound that best represent your topic. Using the soundtrack of your choosing (song, voiceover, sound fx), create a 30 second animation.

The emphasis should be on timing, rhythm and composition. NO KEYFRAMES OR EFFECTS ARE ALLOWED.

Requirements:
- 30 seconds
- size: NTSC 720 x 480
- 30 assets (images, movie files, audio); use at least 3 movie files.
- Render a Quicktime with an h264 or mpeg4 compression and audio (make sure it plays before class).

Syllabus: Spring 2011

After Effecs: COMD 411-01

Thurs, 6:30 pm - 9:20 pm
Engineering Building
Room 215 B

Instructor: Yuliya Parshina

Contact: yparshin@pratt.edu | yparshina@gmail.com | 646-733-6502

Course Description:
In this class we will cover the basics of After Effects animation and dive into more complex motion graphics techniques. You will develop an understanding of timing, rhythm and composition; learn to create unique effects and apply them with taste; master various methods of animating text and manipulating videos; explore After Effects 3d tools... And watch lots of animation!

Materials:
I prefer online tutorials over printed textbooks due to the constantly changing nature of motion graphics software. However, if you feel more comfortable with a textbook, let me know and I will be glad to research and suggest one for you.

Suggested online tutorial subscription:
www.lynda.com
Websites and forums to be aware of:
* Many more will be provided during the course of the class
www.creativecow.com
http://www.adobe.com/support/aftereffects/
www.motionographer.com

Attendance Policy:
Attendance will be taken 10 - 15 minutes after class begins. Anyone coming after that time will be marked late. If you plan to miss class, try to let me know in advance. When absent, make sure to get in touch with me so that I can help you catch up. 3 unexcused absences will result in automatic failure.

Grading policy:
Weekly projects = 60%
Final project = 20%
Attendance = 10%
Participation = 10%

Tutoring:
If you are having trouble with any aspect of After Effects or related software, please let me know! I will be very glad to meet with you in person or talk/chat/email you through your problem. Get in touch via e-mail , phone or text ANY TIME.

Week 1: Jan 20, 2011

Intro to AE basics:

organization, interface, layers, keyframes and rendering

Project organization, naming conventions
Resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate and format
Project, Composition, Timeline & Tool Windows
Importing images, video and audio
Layer basics: duplicating, cutting and pasting
Video basics: control speed, make freeze frames
Audio basics: control volume
Transformation Properties

opacity (shortcut: "t")
position (shortcut: "p")
scale (shortcut: "s")
rotation (shortcut: "r")
ancor point (shortcut: "a")

Basic keyframing: setting keys, moving keys, ease in/ease out
RAM preview
Basic Rendering (!!Never Use Export!!)
Compression basics: Uncompressed, Animation, h264, mpeg4

Download PDF Tutorials:

Labels