A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title and/or key production and cast members, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound. This project is based upon the inspirational work of Kyle Cooper. Kyle Cooper is a designer of motion picture title sequences. His work includes the opening credit sequences of Seven (1995), The Mummy (1999), Dawn of the Dead (2004), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), Superman Returns (2006), Across the Universe (2007), The Incredible Hulk (2008), and the video games Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004). His work in the credits field is often compared to Saul Bass. Rationale Text Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Cooper
DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Based on a movie, video game, software, or a book, design a title sequence to introduce the story. Create a video using AE and post it on YouTube.
The project must include the following technical items and criteria: 1. At least 10 lines of text; 2. Use of text animation presets; 3. Use of ease-in/out; 4. Animated type and custom shapes with a motion path; 5. Masking; 6. 3D layers; 7. Multiple lights; 8. Cameras; 9. Puppets; 10. Expressions; 11. Time stretching; 12. Motion tracking; 13. Use of a track matte; 14. Output final to QuickTime file format; 15. Post the video on YouTube; 16. Include music track; 17. At least six special effects; 18. All production and final files must be archived to a CD-R and/or DVD-R.
DELIVERABLES: CD-R and/or DVD-R including all files: design rationale, production and final files; In-class presentation with a peer evaluation; Design Rationale: Include sketches, design process notes, and time management worksheet.
PROJECT EVALUATION: The Project will be evaluated according to the following: • time management, • creativity, • aesthetics, • following a design rationale and design principles, • functionality, • ease-of-use, • reliably demonstrating all technical specifications.
What is an expression? An expression is basically a Javascript line of code (scripts, set of instructions, formulas) used to generate and animate property values.
EXERCISE #1: Pickwhip Tool
We will use one layer's properties to control another layer's properties directly, using the Pickwhip Tool.
STEPS: 1. Create Text • Create text in a layer: "Blast Off". • Create a layer with the words "into space".
2. Animate "Blast Off" • In the layer with the text "Blast Off", in the Timeline Ruler, use two keyframes to animate the Opacity from 100% to 0% over 10 seconds. This will create a fade out.
OPTION and Drag the CTI to scrub through the animation.
3. Link the "Blast Off" animation to "into space" using the Pickwhip Tool • In the layer with the text "into space", do the following: 1. Open up the property layers, and click on Opacity. 2. Hold OPTION and click on Opacity. - reveals the expression in the Timeline Ruler; - reveals a set of switches next to the property Opacity. 3. Click the Pickwhip (the swirl) and drag the Pickwhip to the Opacity property of the layer with the text "Blast Off". RESULT: This links into space with Blast Off. thisComp.layer("Blast Off").transform.opacity
4. Repeat this action with the Z Rotation and Scale • Hold OPTION and click on the Property. • Click the Pickwhip (the swirl) and drag the Pickwhip to the property .
Add a light, Pickwhip the Light Intensity to the Scale property of Blast Off. NOTE how the Scale goes from 100% to 0, Now the Light Intensity goes from 100% to 0%. In other words it fades out. So, one property value may control another different property value.
thisComp.layer("Blast Off").transform.scale[0] is now in the Light Intensity expression ---------------------------------------
Add a camera, Pickwhip the Camera Zoom to the Scale property of Blast Off. NOTE how the Scale goes from 100% to 0, Now the Camera Zoom goes from 100% to 0%. In other words, it zooms away. So, one property value may control another different property value.
thisComp.layer("Blast Off").transform.scale[0] is now in the Camera Zoom expression ---------------------------------------
Pickwhip the spacemen to the Blast Off property of Z Rotation NOTE how the Z Rotation goes from 0 to -1x (in other words -360 degrees) Now the Camera Zoom goes from 100% to 0%. In other words, it zooms away. So, one property value may control another different property value.
thisComp.layer("Blast Off").transform.scale[0] is now in the spacemen expression
EXAMPLE #2:Creating motion using an expression:
EXERCISE #2: Motion Using an Expression
1. Enable Time Remapping Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping
2. Apply the following expression to the Time Remap property layer cycle = 4; f = timeToFrames(); framesToTime(Math.floor)f/cycle) + f%cycle);
EXAMPLE #3: Audio triggering animation using Audio Amplitude:
EXERCISE #3: SetUp 1. shape on a layer 2. Audio file with variable amplitude 3. Select the audio layer, then Animation > Keyframe Assistant > Convert Audio to Keyframes. This creates an Audio Amplitude layer
4. Apply the following script to the Scale property of the shape
TIME STRETCH alters the duration (and therefore speed) BUT, it does not let you animate the retiming itself, that requires TIME REMAP, or TIMEWARP
HOW TO: locate the icons on bottom left of the TImeline In/Out/Duration Stretch columns
1. Place the CTI in the Timeline frame 2. Change the Stretch % (Change the Stretch value from 100% to 300% to slow or stretch it out) =============================================================
TIME REMAP This sets two Time Remap keyframes the final keyframe becomes the HOLD keyframe. you can then scale (pick up the clip and drag it down the timeline) the layer length beyond the last frame.
Select the layer, and apply TIME REMAP, Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping or COMMAND & OPTION & T move the keyframes together to speed up the area inbetween the keyframes.
EXAMPLE: Place the keyframes together at the beginning, and the video will speed through the entire clip, then hold on the last frame for the time after the second keyframe. =============================================================
TIME WARP Effect > Time > Timewarp Usually used for slowing down ( using a value of less than 100) TIP: 1. first apply TIME REMAP Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping (don't worry, TIME WARP will over ride the TIME REMAP settings) 2. then apply TIME WARP Effect > Time > Timewarp 3. reduce Speed property 4. Extend the length of the clip in the Timeline to accommodate the new ( reduced) time.
EXAMPLE: reduce Speed to 50.00, and drag out the clip
NOTE: may need to Preserve Frame Rate for nested clips Composition Settings > Advanced panel and toggle Preserve Frame Rate When Nested ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can also FREEZE FRAME Layer > Time > Freeze Frame creates a similar effect as Time Remap at the CTI, when selected. =============================================================
THE DIFFERENCE MATTE EXAMPLE This process compares the two images, and removes everything that matches identically, leaving only the foreground object/actor.
NOTES & HOW TO EXPLANATION:
Both shots are Locked-off NOTE: a "clean" background is referred to as a clean plate
SHOT SET UP These shots are as follows: Frame two shots. These shots must be locked-off or motion stabilized to match. Any offset will cause the matte effect not to work properly.
COMP SET UP Layer 1 holds the animation ( Screen with actor in front of it) Duplicate the layer. Layer 2 holds the freeze frame (Screen has no actor in front of it) ---------------------------------------------------
Create the Freeze Frame Layer 2 will hold the freeze frame layer. In the Timeline place the CTI in a frame with no object/actor. It should be a clean view of the background. select Layer > Time > Freeze Frame [RESULT: a square is placed in the Timeline at the CTI location ] ---------------------------------------------------
Apply the Difference Matte Effect 1. Apply Effect > Keying > Difference Matte to layer 1 (the layer with the animation)
Change the Difference Layer setting in the Effects Controls 2. In the Difference Matte Effect Controls for layer 1, Difference Layer to 2. freeze frame Adjust Tolerance ( Increase/decrease %) to fine tune the image ---------------------------------------------------
Animation to Disappear Set a couple keyframes to increase Difference properties to have the object disappear In Layer 1, adjust the Effects, Difference MAtte, _ increase Matching Tolerance _ increase Matching Softness _ increase Blur Before Difference
In our basic example, wiggle includes two parameters: frequency and amplitude. wiggle(frequency, amplitude)
A wiggle expression animates a camera, light, and shape. Shape: position and scale are animated using wiggle() Camera: Z rotation is animated using wiggle()
• New Project • Import video • COMMAND & N, [New Comp] • Drag video clip into Timeline • COMMAND & K [set comp time to the clip time, ex. 27;15] • Add text • Add Null layer: SHIFT & OPTION & COMMAND & Y or Layer > New > Null Object • Set the parent of the text layer, to layer Null • Place CTI at the beginning of the video clip • Double-click the video clip layer and then open the Tracker Panel • Tracker Panel: -- Click Track Motion button -- Select Position -- Edit Target: Null layer -- Motion Target should now read: Motion Target: Null -- Analyze -- Apply
Video example: The phrase "the leaf" is tracking a leaf of the plant. The word "cloud" is tracking one of the clouds.
1. It starts with choosing a keyword from the proposed "kinetic" poem. 2. With four coloured markers, choose a colour and write your keyword from your poem, on the board, around (not in) the circle. 3. Outside of the circle, on another board, group the words by colour, and locate a new story with only these words. 4. In the next inner circle, put a word from each group that feels to be the keyword of the "coloured words" story. 5. In the next inner circle, use a word to describe what might be in the center of the circle. 6. We arrived at an energy of SELF/NO-SELF to be in the center. 7. What is the point in the center of all this? (TO BE DETERMINED IN A FUTURE EXERCISE)
This week, be prepared to shoot some green screen.
TO DO: Bring objects to film in front of a green screen, plus we will film each other in front of a green screen, then key out the green and use the video in our TITLES project.
DIGITAL Comp 1. Type the word DIGITAL into a Comp ------------
Fill Comp 1. Layer > New > Solid 2. Double-click the layer to paint on the layer 3. Select a brush 4. Paint some random lines 5. In the Effects & Presets Panel type wiggle, and choose wiggle-gelatin, to wiggle the solid. ------------
Final Text Comp 1. Drag DIGITAL Comp into layer 1 2. Drag Fill Comp into layer 2 3. Set TrkMat in Fill Comp layer to Luma 4. Drag Fill Comp into layer 3, to act as a background 5. Apply Effect > Blur & Sharpen > Gaussian Blur to the background layer ------------
Any image that is used to define transparency in another image is called a MATTE.
A matte's alpha or luminance information is used to define transparency in the fill layer. [In the Timeline, the fill layer is the image layer directly below the matte layer.] Black defines transparent areas; white defines opaque areas. If the matte is inverted, white will determine transparent areas.
TODAY'S EXERCISE: CREATE AN IMAGE WITH A TRACK MATTE
In Illustrator, Create star shape, with a filmstrip stroke.
In AE, Create an image with a Luma Matte.
I. theMatteComp [ this comp will hold only the theMatte.ai file] 1. Command & N to create a new composition 2. Name the composition theMatteComp. 3. Drag theMatte.ai file to the TImeline
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II. MatteWithImage [ contains theMatteComp and an image (leaves & water)] 1. Command & N to create a new composition 2. Name the composition MatteWithImage. 3. Drag theMatteComp to the Timeline, layer 1 4. Drag image.jpg to the Timeline, layer 2 5. Set the TrkMat switch to: Luma Matte "theMatteComp"
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II. LumaMatte [ contains MatteWithImage and an image (leaves)] 1. Command & N to create a new composition 2. Name the composition LumaMatte. 3. Drag MatteWithImage to the Timeline, layer 1 4. Drag image.jpg (leaves with shadow figure) to the Timeline, layer 2 5. Scale up the MatteWithImage 200%
Lighting may be found inside some special effects. For instance, Shatter includes lights and cameras
TRY THIS EXERCISE
___ new comp ___ type "3D TYPE" ___ Effect > Simulation > Shatter
set Shatter effect controls: ___ Shatter: Shape / Custom Shatter Map - 1. 3D TYPE layer ___ Shatter: Shape / Extrusion Depth ... vary the slider (or set to a value) ___ Shatter: View - Rendered
[Notice the 2D layer now looks 3D ] Shatter effect controls: Fill out the sides of the 3D text: ___ Textures: Side Mode - set to Color, white --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Tiles if you check the box "White Tiles Fixed", the tiles will not move/shatter, and you end up with 3D extruded type. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADD A LIGHT Layer AND ATTACH IT TO THE SHATTER EFFECT Layer > New > Light set Shatter effect controls: ___ Shatter: Lighting / Light Type : First Comp Light -----------------------------------------------
ADD A CAMERA Layer > New > Camera try a 35mm camera
Attach the light to the effect: set Shatter effect controls: ___ Camera System: Comp Camera
Use the Orbit tool (C) to move the camera around the type -----------------------------------------------
ADD A TEXTURE TO THE TYPE
___ add a jpg to the timeline
set Shatter effect controls: ___ Textures: Front Mode - Layer ___ Textures: Front Layer - set to the layer with the jpg in it
___ Hide the layer in the timeline
Continue and set Shatter effect controls: ___ Textures: Side Mode - Layer ___ Textures: Side Layer - set to the layer with the jpg in it
___ Textures: Back Mode - Layer ___ Textures: Back Layer - set to the layer with the jpg in it
This week we take a look at lights and lighting effects.
There are four types of lights: 1) Parallel Light: Think of this light source located infinitely far off in the distance. Imagine it's like the sun. 2) Spot Light: This light has a position and source location you can define. THis is a typical light used in concert, theatre, and film production. 3) Point Light: This is an omnidirectional light. Imagine a light bulb here. 4) Ambient Light: No position. It just illuminates the scene. ( It has no icon in the Comp window)
This video example uses two lights, with the spot set as an adjustment layer. • 3D type • Spotlight within an adjustment layer • Ambient light
Take a deep look at your poem. Look for the light, object and shadow. In other words, look for the adjectives and nouns, adverbs and verbs. These will help with how you animate the story.
If "place" is at the center of the whole, then everything must be centered upon what "place" is, what it means to be in-place, to be placed, to place, place. The concept of "place" holds the whole thing together. The story of this TV station is all about "place."
Deconstruct your kinetic poem. Find it's essence/center point. Everything will flow out from this place. :-)
When you set a Light to be an Adjustment Layer (set the layer switch), the light only affects the layers directly below it in the Timeline, even if the light is shining directly on the object in space.
AMBIENT LIGHT Set Ambient Light inTensity value to change over time: ___ move CTI (Current Time Indicator) to 5s ___ select Ambient Light, press T (inTensity) ___ click the Stopwatch to set a Keyframe
___ move the CTI to 2s ___ change inTensity to 0%
HOLD DOWN OPTION AND SCRUB THROUGH THE TIMELINE FROM 2s to 5s to see the lighting inTensity change
SPOT LIGHT Set Spot Light inTensity value to change over time: ___ move CTI (Current Time Indicator) to 5s, or Go To Time: 5; ___ select Spot Light, press T (inTensity) ___ click the Stopwatch to set a Keyframe
___ move the CTI to 2s, or Go To Time: 2; ___ change inTensity to 0%
Light flickers over time example: Set Spot Light inTensity value to change over time: At 1:28, 100% At 1:26, 0%
At 1:24, 100% At 1:21, 0%
At 1:18, 100% At 1:15, 0% ------------------------------------------------------
Kinetic Poem Design: This week we will re-examine the core idea driving the three projects. Ideally, all three multimedia forms will be deeply inter-connected. • The TV station bumper defines the brand. • The kinetic poem tells the story with type, words, audio, and motion. • The title sequence tells the story with type, images, and music.
Lights: This week we will work with lighting in AE, in 2D and 3D compositions.
With 2 Views Selected LEFT: Custom View 1 RIGHT: Front ___ Move light along the Z axis: ___ drag Z (Light) upwards... is placing the light Closer to the object ___ drag Z (Light) downwards... is placing light Farther away from the object
View from Front: =========================================
REPOSITION THE LIGHT ON TOP OF THE TYPE With 2 Views Selected LEFT: Custom View 1 RIGHT: Active Camera ___ In the Light 1 layer, Press "P" for Position property ___ Increase the Intensity to 1000% ___ Cone Angle: 180º
LEFT: Custom View 1 view
RIGHT: Active Camera window =========================================
Add an Ambient Light:
SHIFT & OPTION & COMMAND & L or Layers > New > Light
___ name it: Ambient Light ___ Light Type: Ambient ___ Intensity: 50%, try a negative value such as - 50 ___ 54, 64, 94
Choose a poem that would play on your TV Channel. The content must fit with the theme of the station.
Kinetic typography refers to the art and technique of expression with animated text.
Similar to the study of traditional typography of designing static typographic forms, kinetic typography focuses on understanding the effect time has on the expression of text. Kinetic typography has demonstrated the ability to add significant emotive content and appeal to expressive text, allowing some of the qualities normally found in film and the spoken word to be added to static text.
Kinetic type has been widely and successfully used in film as well as in television and computer-based advertising. Perceptual psychology research on attention, reading performance, and comprehension has indicated that time-based presentation of text can be used effectively to capture and manipulate a viewer’s attention and in some cases improve overall reading performance.
DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Choose a poem and design an animated sketch based upon the story. Animate the type: letters, words and lines to tell the story. Create a kinetic poetry video using AE and post it on YouTube.
The project must include the following technical items and criteria: 1. Poem text; 2. Use of text animation presets; 3. Use of ease-in/out; 4. Animated type and custom shapes with a motion path; 5. Masking; 6. 3D model; 7. Multiple lights; 8. Use of a track matte; 9. Output final to QuickTime file format; 10. Post the video on YouTube; 11. Include music track; 12. At least four special effects; 13. All production and final files must be archived to a CD-R and/or DVD-R.
First, This week we begin working on a kinetic poem. 1) Have your poem selected, for use this week. You will use the title in a 3D modeling exercise. 2) Look for objects (nouns), descriptors (adjectives) and action words (verbs) in the poem. These will help with the kinetic translation. 3) Sketch out a storyboard for next time we meet.
Second, We begin to look at 3D modeling and animation in AE. • Creating a grid from a Solid layer • Setting a Guide layer • Using views • 2D to 3D switch • Camera Orbit Tool • X & Y Rotation
HOW TO: Here we have the beginnings of a 3D book, made out of a 2D image.
Featuring: • Solid Layer creation • Transforming a solid layer into a grid • Transforming a grid into a guide layer • Repositioning the grid with an X Rotation • Setting an image to be 3D • Adjusting the position of an image with the position value • Using the Camera Orbit Tool (C) • Flipping an image using 180º Y Rotation
Today we will review the TV Bumper project and prepare for the next two projects. Prepare a pdf file, explaining the design process for creating the Bumper. Save the video, full resolution to a DVD-R.
Use Garage Band to create and edit sounds FX. Share > Save to Disk as AIF files. Import into AE. ---------------------------------------
Drag an audio file from the Project Panel to the Timeline.
View the Waveform ---------------------------------------
• SCRUBBING VIDEO Hold OPTION and drag the CTI to scrub through the video.
• SCRUBBING AUDIO Hold COMMAND and drag the CTI to scrub through the audio.
• SCRUBBING AUDIO & VIDEO Hold OPTION & COMMAND and drag the CTI to scrub through the video and audio. ---------------------------------------
USE RAM PREVIEW, not SPACEBAR to hear the audio previews
Audio tips: • you can resize the clip in the Time Graph (changing the length of the bar) • place the clip in the Time Graph ( Move the bar) • adjust audio levels ( fade in, fade out music) • add multiple tracks (FX/foley, narration, music)
Steps: 1. Type some text. 2. With the layer selected, use the pen tool (with RotoBezier turned on to give a rounded curve), create a path. 3. Attach the mask path to the text: Text / Path Options / Path Mask 1 (from the drop down menu) 4. Click the Stopwatch on First Margin, and set where the text will begin to animate on the path. 5. Move the CTI and Set the First Margin to where the animation will end.
Steps: 1. Drag an image into a Timeline layer. This image will be seen through the masked text. 2. Type some text. This will become the mask. 3. Layer > Create Masks From Text NOTE: A new layer is created holding a mask path for each letter of the word typed. 4. Apply the mode: Silhouette Alpha 5. Create a new comp to nest this text mask comp with another image behind it.
Steps used in the creation of this example: 1. Drag supernova.tiff into a layer NASA has some great images for download: http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/universe 2. Rotation, 0s, 0x 3. Rotation, 20s, 2x 4. Layer > New > Shape Layer 5. Drag out a star shape (Q) in the shape layer, and centre it in the layer. 6. Set Mode to Stencil Alpha to see through the star into the super nova image. 7. Create a text layer above the shape layer and the super nova image. The text will be visible as the shape layer mode is set to Stencil Alpha.
Create a new Comp 1) drag background picture image to layer 2) T: type the word 3) select text layer 4) Layer > Create Masks from Text 5) Set the mask layer to Intersect, and check the Inverted box.
PROJECT RATIONALE: A commercial bumper (often shortened to bump) usually two to fifteen seconds, is placed between a pause in the program and its commercial break. It may take the form of a brief announcement or appearance of a station or sponsor logo. The host, the program announcer, or a continuity announcer states the title of the presentation, the name of the program, and the broadcast network. Bumper music, often a recurring signature or theme music segment, is nearly always featured. Bumpers can vary from simple text to short films. An eyecatch, a term used in Japan, is a bumper scene used to begin and end a commercial break in a Japanese TV program, especially in anime and tokusatsu shows. The term refers to all kinds of commercial bumpers. Eyecatches are almost always produced by the production company and considered a part of the program itself, rather than a segue into a commercial break.
DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Create a commercial bumper in the style of an eyecatch, including kinetic type, motion graphics, and music, with a length between 5 and 15 seconds.
The project must include the following items and criteria: 1. Imported Photoshop created graphic; 2. Imported Illustrator created graphic; 3. Imported QuickTime file 4. Motion path; 5. Multiple transformations; 6. Nested compositions; 7. Animated type; 8. Keying; 9. Moving anchor; 10. Output final to QuickTime file format; 11. Include music track; 12. Output video must be 5 -15 seconds in length; 13. All files must be backed up to a CD-R and/or DVD-R.
DELIVERABLES: CD-R and/or DVD-R including all files: rationale, production, and final files; In-class presentation; Copy of all production files in a folder named: Working Files; Copy of the final AE (.aep) file and the rendered video (.mov) in a folder named: Final files; All files must be saved AND backed up to a CD-R or DVD-R; Design Rationale: providing evidence of creativity, design principles, design process; Time Management Worksheet.
TEXT (TEXT LAYER): • Source text (to add text to the same layer, starting at different keyframes) • Text animation using Range Selector & Property ( Set the Start & End values, to select the percentage range of the text used in the property animation)
SHAPES (SHAPE LAYER): • Fill & Gradient Fill design • Stroke design • Pucker & Bloat the shape (Add pop-up menu Pucker & Bloat property) • Twist the shape (Add pop-up menu Twist property) • Repeat the shape (Add pop-up menu Repeater property) • Brainstorm feature (drag over properties then click the Brainstorm button)
I will have some more "how to" videos up by the weekend.
Wednesday, September 23, 6-9pm, MUSIKZone ( Broadview & Danforth) $60.00 fee for room is split between all attendees free coffee RSVP me by Monday . thanks
This week will introduce the following: • Shape Tool (including gradient fill) • Pan Behind Tool • Scrubbing the animation (Option & drag CTI) • Adding to a shape (Twisting, Repeating, Pucker & Bloat) • Shape on a path ( including orientation) • Creating strokes & stroke animation
I plan to have a few new "How To" video's up over the next couple days: 1) Squish & Stretch ( animation technique) 2) Anticipation ( animation technique) 3) Text on a Path (inner & outer) 4) Shape design, and some more effects and depending on whether I sleep this weekend... a couple more by Monday night.
have a great weekend... and be sure to practice, practice, practice...
also... start sketching a logo for your project#1: TV station logo and bumper.
Find below 10 items we might try and accomplish this week:
1. Complete first text animation exercise (5%) and review animation principles (see handout) 2. Squash & stretch example 3. Anticipation example 4. Ease in/out 5. Blur 6. Skew, opacity, position 7. Motion sketching 8. Scrubbing a text animation 9. Adding a keyframe( from the Comp) 10. Text on a path
We will also need some time to chat about Project#1: TV Station Logo & Bumper.
WEEK#1, IN-CLASS EXERCISE: Due in-class WEEK #2. • Create a five second video that animates your name. • Use one Text Animation Preset • Include a background picture. • Save the video to your USB/hard drive. • Create a YouTube account and post the video. • Create a blog on blogger and embed the video.
Here are some of the items we explored together in class this week. TIP: The Footage Folder. Create a folder with all your footage inside of it. The AE project panel only has "links" to footage. 1. Workflow i. Import files into the Project panel & organize footage into folders ii. Create comps (compositions) & arrange layers iii. Add special effects & presets to the layers iv. Animate elements & Adjust properties (adding keyframes) v. RAM Preview vi. Render & Output final video 2. Text tool: Used for typing text in the Comp panel. We also looked briefly at the Character and Paragraph panels for setting the type and aligning the type. 3. Stopwatch: Used for setting the initial keyframe. To set additional keyframes, just move the Current Time Indicator to a new position, and change a property value. 4. Animation > Browse Presets: Used for the text presets. Select the text layer then apply a preset. It's that simple. 5. Animation > Keyframe Assistant > Time-Reverse Keyframes: Used to reverse a text animation. It reverses the order of the keyframes in the layer. 6. Properties: Position, Scale, Opacity. We adjusted these properties by setting the Stopwatch and additional keyframes. 7. RAM Preview: Suggestion is to use Quarter resolution. Use SHIFT & RAM Preview to Skip frames in the preview. 8. Render the final compsosition.
A HOW TO VIDEO for some of the items we practiced in today's class: PART 01:
PART 02:
---------------------------------------- WEEK#1, IN-CLASS EXERCISE: Due in-class WEEK #2. • Create a five second video that animates your name. • Use one Text Animation Preset • Include a background picture. • Save the video to your USB drive. • Create a YouTube account and post the video. • Create a blog on blogger and embed the video. ----------------------------------------
HOMEWORK: 1. Try out all the text animation presets 2. Buy a portable hard drive (100-200 gig would be helpful). 3. Practice animating text and setting keyframes 4. Read all the handouts, projects sheets, course outline 5. Start design thinking about all the projects. 6. View the Project references/examples on the blog. 7. Practice, practice, practice 8. Make notes based upon what you have learned. ----------------------------------------
AE DESIGN CLUB: Starts next Tuesday 6pm,... for help session on the first project, posting video to YouTube, embedding a video on a blog.
"Create believable fantastic moving images" says Mark Christiansen.
This AE course takes a two-pronged approach: 1. Artistic: Creativity and aesthetics 2. Technical: Tools and procedures
AE is a tool that allows the user to composite media into new dynamic forms. There are three main panels: The PROJECT panel holds links to the media footage. The COMPOSITION panel shows the composition at the current time. The TIMELINE panel holds the keyframe changes.
Ideal Designer Screen Scenarios: A pair of 24" screens may help you organize your panels, OR one large 30" screen (using the ~ Tilde key to zoom up/down the comp panel) Command & \ maximizes and centres any panel.
The AE Design Workflow: 1. Import & organize footage 2. Create compositions & arrange layers 3. Add special effects & presets 4. Animate elements & Adjust properties 5. RAM Preview 6. Render & Output final composition ----------------------------------------
WEEK #1, IN-CLASS AE EXERCISE: Create a five second video that animates your name. Use one Text Animation Preset Include a background picture. Save the video to your USB drive. Create a YouTube account and post the video. ----------------------------------------
Remember the AE Design Workflow: 1. Import files into the Project panel 2. Create Comps and arrange layers 3. Add Effects and Presets to the layers 4. Adjust Properties and add Keyframes 5. RAM Preview your composition 6. Render the final video ----------------------------------------
Other To Do's: 1. View the Project references/examples on the blog. 2. Start all projects today, and DesignThink about how the projects may be unified within one grande concept. 3. View all the text animation presets. 4. Practice, practice, practice 5. Make notes based upon what you have learned. 6. Share what you have learned with someone. ----------------------------------------
Here is a possible direction for this course of study: Imagine you are a TV station, 1) create a station ID, 2) TV station bumper (5 -15 second) , 3) a couple content pieces (kinetic poems), 4) title sequence for an upcoming movie.
Effects & processes used in this composition: • Star shape with gradient fill (position of the fill lowered to the bottom of the star, radiating upwards) • Transfigure star into a flower (properties modified: points, inner & outer radius, inner & outer roundness) • Twist effect (lightly applied) • Repeater effect (horizontal & vertical positioning) • Pluck & Bloat effect • Text (scaled, opacity properties modified over time) • Audio/video clip edited in Comp window then faded in and out
Guess what... yes it's Saturday... and I decided to have some fun with After Effects, and try and create a basic 3D book, and then fly it around in space using a null object to control the whole thing.
TIP #1: I used the Object Camera Tool to view the different perspectives TIP #2: I used Orientation to create the rotations
Believe it or not this baby took 5 hours to render... lots of special effects... lights, text animations in and out, particles, continuous animation... enjoy...
Some of the techniques and effects used in this example: • two light sources • wiggle the brighness to simulate a flickering effect • mask inverted in the centre • color keying on the Eagle image • Blur > transporter on the text • Film effect on text • Particle effect using stars on a white shape layer
A SUGGESTION FOR STUDENTS TAKING THIS COURSE: Buy a portable hard drive, to carry footage, AE file, and final renderings.
Initial rendering time calculated for this video in AE was 38 hours... however, it actually took only a couple hours to render the 960 x540 video, producing a 2.56GB file. The .m4v version is 27Mb.
This motion graphic advertisement features a number of AE effects: • Fast blur • Alpha Track Matte ( used for masking the CN Tower video) • Wiggly - used on both the guitar and on the type • Light Source on the video "face of jimi") • Audio fades
Enjoy the motion graphics poster advertisement for an upcoming show by Bela Ray.
Why does everything about motion graphics and title sequences always return to Kyle Cooper... Anyway... I was just thinking about him today.... and checked out these videos:
IMAGINARY FORCES is a design and production company based in Hollywood and New York. Its award-winning work spans the diverse industries of feature film production, entertainment marketing and promotion, corporate branding, architecture, advertising and experience design. In entertainment and media marketing, Imaginary Forces created campaigns for such films as High School Musical 3, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Transformers and The Chronicles of Narnia. The company also designed and produced main title sequences for The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Definitely Maybe and the upcoming Yes Man, as well as for such hits as Se7en and Spider-Man. Imaginary Forces' animated opening title sequence for the hit AMC series Mad Men recently won a Creative Arts Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and shared a nomination with another Imaginary Forces project, the title sequence for NBC's Chuck. In the area of experience design, the company most recently co-designed and produced New City, an installation in the Museum of Modern Art's 2008 "Design and the Elastic Mind" show, digital signage for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and media installations for the first HBO retail store in Manhattan.
Imaginary Forces is always looking for talented freelance designers. Candidates will work closely with a team of animators, designers, and art directors to create unique designs for trailers, title sequences, commercials, theatrical ID's, network branding, and experience design. .
Freelance positions. 2D animators should be proficient in After Effects.
Please send resumes to: jobs@imaginaryforces.com Or fax to: 323.957.5761
This blog will follow a fourteen week introduction course to the basics of AFTER EFFECTS.
Weekly topics, tips and techniques, designer ideas, video tutorials, AE support links, and other goodies related to learning about compositing, special effects, and animation will be posted here.
Great JAM last night... !!!!!!!!
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Great jam...
Crossroads... Before you accuse me... Voodoo Chile... and a whole ton of
new jam ideas...
thanks to Justin... Turk... Jesse...
Awesome!!!!
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