Module # 5 - After Effects - Ready...Set...Action!
What is After Effects?
Create the ultimate video effects - production! (take a look at all the 'post film' production possiblities!)
'Open Sourced' Video files for learning purposes
Introduction - Learning Skills in After Effects
Project # 1 - Enhance 3 D Projects with Animation and Compositing
In our first course activity we will learn (with a practice set) how to add 2 D effects to a 3 D layer(s)
Part A - Use the downloaded sample files and video instruction(s) to learn this foundational skill in After Effects
Once you have worked through the practice set, please locate an object that you can use to make your own.
You will be creating a 3 D instance in a new FBX layer. The practice one is a 'Van' what can you create?
You can find a diverse collection of 3 D base models on these (and other) sites.
Free FBX models . Sketchfab 'free models'. , CGTrader - Free 3 D models
Managing projects in After Effects
Project # 2 - Create Visual Effects - After Effects
In this next course segment, we will be working with a 'stock set of practice files' to help us to learn some of the most popular video effects and modifications.
Create visual effects - (download practice set)
In this segment we will learn how to:
place text into a scene / blur over a moving section of video / isolate elements with a 'greenscreen' / clean up keyed footage with a 'garbage matte' / retime video to add impact
Project # 3 - Use your previous Adobe Premiere Video to 'remake' it in a dramtic fashion! Let us make the ground shake, great storms appear or lightning bolts streak across the sky!
If possible, please try to use your previous video project fro the Adobe Premiere Unit, to make an 'EARTH SHATTERING EXPERIENCE!
Please try to add at least FIVE different effects in your 'remade production'. You could use some of the effects built into AFTER EFFECTS or you could import explosions and film footage and merge them together through layer masking. There are many was to complete this. Have fun, be bold and be creative!
Resources
After Effects - dramatic effects (A summary of the most common types) - Please review!
Sound Effects Library (one of many)
Sound track library / BenSound (royalty free)
Video examples of 'Effects in Action
Fire and Explosion! / Cast a Fire Spell / Explosions -A 'deeper dive' into the overall effect on the surrounding footage (a more advanced discussion of the topic) / A 'lit torch! / Weather Effects - A story sky!
Project # 4 - Create a:
Funny After Effects Spoof' worthy of being a You tube 'short' or Tic Toc video!
Or a 'Sci Fi' theme
Or more 'Artistic' or 'conceptual'
In our final look at 'After Effects' we will be trying to create a 'new video' concept based on the skills covered in the unit. As you can see below, it could be sill and humourous / magical or mysterious / or more conceptual, experimental or artistic. This is your chance to showcase your creative ideas and bring them to light in this context!
Examples to review - Hopefully some of them will inspire you to create!
Video 'spoof' - humour has a few ideas explaining the approach / Cowboys and Freddies
Sci-Fi approach 'The Enders Game'.
Artistic approach (Weather effects - with music sound track)
If you choose to do a spoof, take a look at some of these 'scripts' to give you some ideas!
Make a microwave hum like it’s powering up a nuclear reactor:
add sparks inside (just VFX!)
glowing lights leaking out
shake the camera like it’s going to explode
then it just dings normally
Track a tiny cartoon storm cloud over someone’s head:
rain only falls on them
lightning only zaps near them
add sad music for ridiculous drama
Great simple motion track practice.
Give yourself or a character powers like:
the ability to summon one small fire spark
the world’s slowest lightning bolt
clouds that appear for dramatic effect, but only for 1 second
Use glow + particles for comedy.
When someone spills a tiny bit of coffee:
add slow-motion
add explosion in the background
lens flare everything
add dramatic music
maybe a giant fake rainstorm over the cup
Pretend to be a meteorologist:
show weather maps behind you
suddenly summon rain inside the room
add snow, lightning, or tornado miniatures next to you
pretend nothing is wrong
RElinking files!
If your files, which were linked previously, become 'severed' from moving them around, here are the steps to 'relink' them:
Open your After Effects project.
When AE can’t find the videos, it will usually show a “Missing” warning.
Look in the Project panel.
Any file that was moved will say “Missing” or show a colored bar.
Right-click one of the missing files → click Replace Footage → File…
Navigate to your OneDrive folder and find the video in its new location.
Select the file and click Open.
After Effects will relink that file.
If all your videos were moved to the same folder:
After relinking the first one, AE often automatically finds and relinks the rest.
If not, repeat steps 3–5 for the other missing files.\
Alternative faster method:
Go to File → Dependencies → Find Missing Footage
Browse to your OneDrive folder
Select the correct fil
AE will try to reconnect everything that matches from that folder