Chapter: Compositing Tools and Techniques

Topic: 3D Space for Compositing

If you have very little knowledge about animating the camera and building a 3D comp, this tutorial is for you. In this tutorial, Bjorn Sjostrom tries to remove any fear toward the 3D tools in After Effects 5.5. He hopes it will give you an relaxed attitude towards animating the camera, and building a “3D corridor” where only your imagination can stop you, the sky is not the limit but space is.

http://www.creativecow.net/articles/sjostrom_bjorn/3d_ride/index.html

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Chapter: Compositing Tools and Techniques

Topic: Masking or Rotoscoping

Vector paint, introduced in Adobe After Effects 5.0 has many uses but most people don’t think of it as a rotoscoping tool. In this tutorial, Bill O’Neil demonstrates how to rotoscope with Vector Paint to create a “supercharged” sports spot.

http://www.creativecow.net/articles/oneil_bill/as_matte/index.html

TAGS: glow, streak, paint, isolate, separate, remove,

Chapter: Visual and Creative Effects

Topic: Simulation

Very realistic close up of typing on a scan-line monitor – the glow and scan lines are quite realistic. Ayato’s tutorials are very advanced. Because English is his second language you really need to know After Effects moderately well to follow all the steps. Some additional plug-ins are needed, but most are available in demonstration form.

http://www.ayatoweb.com/ae_tips_e/ae14_e.html#

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Chapter: Compositing Tools and Techniques

Topic: Scripting or Expressions

An easy way to make any number of layers follow the movement of a single layer is to use the Parenting feature in Adobe After Effects 5.5. In this article, Serge Hamad demonstrates the power of Parenting in situations you may encounter in your production studio instead of the usual robotic animation exercises that you may have seen elsewhere.

http://www.creativecow.net/articles/hamad_serge/parenting/index.html

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Chapter: Compositing Tools and Techniques

Topic: Keyframing

By using motion sketch and the smoother, you can achieve a less “computer-generated” motion in your animations, and in less time. This tutorial by Ben Unguren introduces you to the basic techniques involved with motion sketch and the smoother. This is by no means a complete demonstration of what you can do with motion sketch or the smoother. This simply introduces you to how to use them.

http://www.creativecow.net/articles/unguren_ben/motion_sketch/index.html

TAGS: natural, organic, unsmooth

Chapter: Business

Topic: Sales and Marketing

For the past 10 years, pretty much every day, somebody asks me how to put together the perfect promo tape. Truth is, there is no chiseled in stone answer, as every presentation is original. Every singer has his or her own interpretation and every magician works his or her own magic. There are many different facets to consider in the construction of the perfect video. One of the first topics to come to mind is the length. IS BIG BEST? How long should my video be???

http://www.sundancevideoonline.com/Secrets1.html

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Chapter: Business

Topic: Sales and Marketing

Okay, let’s jump right in. Last issue, we talked about how long the video should be. This time, let’s talk what’s in it? CONTENT!

http://www.sundancevideoonline.com/Secrets2.html

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Chapter: Business

Topic: Sales and Marketing

We’ve talked about length, and content of the perfect promo video. Now let?s talk about that dreaded idea that your current promo video could hurt you. I’ve noticed that many artists need to update their video regularly. Magicians obviously need to constantly update. Comedians are always developing their sense of timing. The singer finds a new way to hit that troublesome note (or finds a halfway decent sound-man). The point is, an artist isn’t an artist unless he finds a new or original way of looking at things.

http://www.sundancevideoonline.com/Secrets3.html

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Chapter: Business

Topic: Sales and Marketing

In previous installments, we have discussed what content to put in your video, what effects to use or not use, how your video can hurt you, when to update it, etc., etc.. But now, the most elusive of all? ?How do I get the agents to watch my video?? That is, of course, the major obstacle to overcome after your video has been shot and edited. It can be a big problem with no clear cut answers. It can lead to great frustration.

http://www.sundancevideoonline.com/Secrets4.html

TAGS: packaging, market, follow, through