Organization
Create a new folder in your CA folder on your Macbook and name it according to the blue below. Then create folders (green text below). When you get files (orange text below), organize them in these folders.
ca2barry2012 (your classID) Story Project
After Effects
Projects
Video Output
Graphics
Backgrounds
Characters
First Pages
Green Screen
Other Files
Video Final
TV Screen
If you don't organize your files and you try to move files...you may see a scrabbled TV screen of colors in the future (I call it, the rainbow screen of death, see icon above), it is caused by one of the following:
If you don't think it is one of the three, there is a strong possibility that it is but you didn't know it was changed. In these cases you will have to relink the file or reinsert your composition layers. Remember, when a file is linked, you cannot move the file location name.
Reminders
Green Screen
Remember to import you acting in front of the green screen into your story and have it interactive with your characters when you complete the filming
Name Layers
Don't forget to name all of your layers appropriately (e.g. right arm). Layers that are not names will be deducted points.
Color
Make sure that all of your Illustrator files are in RGB mode, not CMYK when you import them.
Backup
Don't forget to always have a backup of your work. There will not be exemptions for those who lose their USB.
Compositions
You should only have one After Effects project file for your project and name it classID Story Project. You will have a new composition inside the same project file for all ten backgrounds. Name each composition bg1, bg2, etc.
Compositions
Follow the directions for composition setup and render.
When finished with each, render as Quicktime (.mov) and upload to YT and post the link to Posterous and to the spreadsheet.
don't do:
Another one of the directions from the Green After Effects tutorial was to prepare your After Effects Story project file, only one is needed:
"Open a new composition and name it title. Create another composition after title and name it author and a dedication composition after author. Then create new compositions for each of your scenes. Label them scene 1, scene 2, etc."
For the settings of all scenes (including the title, author, dedication), apply the following size dimensions and frame rate except use 720 px width instead of 888.