Instructor Contact Info:
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 a lot of animation!
Online Resources:
www.creativecow.com
www.adobe.com/support/aftereffects
www.motionographer.com
http://www.videocopilot.net
www.lynda.com (paid subscription)
Requirements:
External hard drive:
You must own an external hard drive large enough to contain all your projects (around 500 gigs). Bbring it to every class with your latest work.
Vimeo account:
If you haven’t already, please sign up for a free Vimeo account (www.vimeo.com). You will upload all your projects to Vimeo and send me the links (and passwords if you wish to keep your work private).
Grading policy:
Weekly projects = 70%
Final Reel = 20%
Attendance & Participation = 10%
Tutoring:
If you are having trouble with any aspect of After Effects or related software, please let me know ASAP and I will arrange an in-person or on-line tutoring session.
WEEK 1: AUG 30, 2011
Introductions
Syllabus review
Lesson: After Effects basics (part 1)
Project organization
Composition settings: resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, duration
Understanding different formats for various project types
Interface: Project, Composition, Timeline, Tools and Preview windows
Importing media: still images, video, audio
Reloading media
Working with layers on a timeline: duplicating, cutting/pasting, duration
Understanding frames
Transform properties: anchor point, position, scale, rotation, opacity
Using audio waveforms as a rhythm guide
Project #1: “A Simple Story” (Due: Sep 06)
WEEK 2: SEP 06, 2011
Submit: Project #1 “A Simple Story”
Lesson: After Effects basics (part 2)
Working with keyframes
Motion path
Working with keyframes
Motion path
Troubleshooting /reloading media
Lesson: Animating—theory and keyframes
Working with keyframes
Motion path
Auto-orient
Using illustrator paths as motion paths
Motion theory
Types of keyframes: linear, ease in-out/easy ease, hold, rove
Working with the graph editor
Parenting: layers, null objects
Planning your animation—creating thumbnail sketches and prepping a soundtrack
Project #2 (part 1): “Geometric Shapes” thumbnail sketches and trimmed soundtrack (Due: Sep 15)
WEEK 3: SEP 13, 2011
Submit: “Geometric Shapes” thumbnail sketches and a trimmed soundtrack
Lesson: Imported and AE native media
Importing Photoshop layers
Bitmaps vs. Vectors: Continuously Rasterize
Importing Illustrator layers
Solid layers
Masks
Shape Layers
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 a lot of animation!
Online Resources:
www.creativecow.com
www.adobe.com/support/aftereffects
www.motionographer.com
http://www.videocopilot.net
www.lynda.com (paid subscription)
Requirements:
External hard drive:
You must own an external hard drive large enough to contain all your projects (around 500 gigs). Bbring it to every class with your latest work.
Vimeo account:
If you haven’t already, please sign up for a free Vimeo account (www.vimeo.com). You will upload all your projects to Vimeo and send me the links (and passwords if you wish to keep your work private).
Grading policy:
Weekly projects = 70%
Final Reel = 20%
Attendance & Participation = 10%
Tutoring:
If you are having trouble with any aspect of After Effects or related software, please let me know ASAP and I will arrange an in-person or on-line tutoring session.
WEEK 1: AUG 30, 2011
Introductions
Syllabus review
Lesson: After Effects basics (part 1)
Project organization
Composition settings: resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, duration
Understanding different formats for various project types
Interface: Project, Composition, Timeline, Tools and Preview windows
Importing media: still images, video, audio
Reloading media
Working with layers on a timeline: duplicating, cutting/pasting, duration
Understanding frames
Transform properties: anchor point, position, scale, rotation, opacity
Using audio waveforms as a rhythm guide
Project #1: “A Simple Story” (Due: Sep 06)
WEEK 2: SEP 06, 2011
Submit: Project #1 “A Simple Story”
Lesson: After Effects basics (part 2)
Working with keyframes
Motion path
Working with keyframes
Motion path
Troubleshooting /reloading media
Lesson: Animating—theory and keyframes
Working with keyframes
Motion path
Auto-orient
Using illustrator paths as motion paths
Motion theory
Types of keyframes: linear, ease in-out/easy ease, hold, rove
Working with the graph editor
Parenting: layers, null objects
Planning your animation—creating thumbnail sketches and prepping a soundtrack
Project #2 (part 1): “Geometric Shapes” thumbnail sketches and trimmed soundtrack (Due: Sep 15)
WEEK 3: SEP 13, 2011
Submit: “Geometric Shapes” thumbnail sketches and a trimmed soundtrack
Lesson: Imported and AE native media
Importing Photoshop layers
Bitmaps vs. Vectors: Continuously Rasterize
Importing Illustrator layers
Solid layers
Masks
Shape Layers
Lesson: Precomping and Nesting
Precomping/nesting
Collapse transformations
Keeping comps organized
In-Class Work: Unfold a logo
Project #2 (part 2): “Geometric Shapes” animation (Due: Sep 20)
WEEK 4: SEP 20, 2011
Submit: “Geometric Shapes” animation
Lesson: Type (part 1)
Importing text from Photoshop and Illustrator
Converting to editable text
Creating text in After Effects
Character and paragraph tools
Manual text animation: text guides; animating back to front
In-class Work: Begin Project #3: “10 Letter Word” (you should have a soundtrack to work with)
Project #3: “10 Letter Word” (Due: Sep 27)
WEEK 5: SEP 27, 2011
Submit: “10 Letter Word”
Lesson: Type (part 2)
Animating source text
Animating text with paths
Text animators
Project #4: “Song Lyrics” (Due: Oct 4)
WEEK 6: OCT 4, 2011
Lesson: 3D Layers (part 1)
3D layers: z dimension in transform properties
Using 3D cameras
Pre-comping/nesting with 3D layers
Using 3D lights
Casting shadows
Material options
WEEK 7: OCT 11, 2011
Lesson: 3D Layers (part 2)
Bringing 2D images to life using 3D layers
Projection mapping
Project #5: “Bringing a Still to Life” (Due: Oct 18)
WEEK 8: OCT 18, 2011
Submit: “Bringing a Still to Life”
Lesson: Blending modes—creating manual effects
Using and combining blending modes
Working with organic materials
Collapsing transformations and blending modes
Lesson: Working with video footage
Import settings in detail (interpret footage)
Manipulating speed: time stretch, time reverse, time remapping
Lesson: Effects Categories (part 1)
Overview of all effects categories
Applying effects: working with adjustment layers
Effect controls/setting keyframes
In depth:
Color Correction
Blur/Sharpen
Stylize
Distort
Time Effects
Project #6: “Abstract Video” (Due: Oct 25)
WEEK 9: OCT 25, 2011
Submit: “Abstract Video”
Lesson: Masking with Alpha and Luma
Blending modes: Stencil and Silhouette
Track Mattes
Lesson: Organic effects—Ink, smoke, spatter
Videos as FX and textures
Building a transition
Creating spatter using AE generated effects
Creating ink bleeds using AE generated effects
In-class Work:
Build a transition using videos
Build an “ink” transition using AE generated effects
Lesson: Style frames
Project #7 (part 1): “Ransom Note” style frames (Due: Nov 1)
WEEK 10: Nov 1, 2011
Submit: “Ransom Note” style frames
Lesson: Effects Categories (part 2)
Generate
Perspective
Transition
Simulation
Using the write-on effect
In-class Work: animate handwriting
Project #6 (part 2): “Ransom Note” rough animation (Due: Nov 8)
WEEK 11: NOV 8, 2011
Submit: “Ransom Note” rough animation
Precomping/nesting
Collapse transformations
Keeping comps organized
In-Class Work: Unfold a logo
Project #2 (part 2): “Geometric Shapes” animation (Due: Sep 20)
WEEK 4: SEP 20, 2011
Submit: “Geometric Shapes” animation
Lesson: Type (part 1)
Importing text from Photoshop and Illustrator
Converting to editable text
Creating text in After Effects
Character and paragraph tools
Manual text animation: text guides; animating back to front
In-class Work: Begin Project #3: “10 Letter Word” (you should have a soundtrack to work with)
Project #3: “10 Letter Word” (Due: Sep 27)
WEEK 5: SEP 27, 2011
Submit: “10 Letter Word”
Lesson: Type (part 2)
Animating source text
Animating text with paths
Text animators
Project #4: “Song Lyrics” (Due: Oct 4)
WEEK 6: OCT 4, 2011
Lesson: 3D Layers (part 1)
3D layers: z dimension in transform properties
Using 3D cameras
Pre-comping/nesting with 3D layers
Using 3D lights
Casting shadows
Material options
WEEK 7: OCT 11, 2011
Lesson: 3D Layers (part 2)
Bringing 2D images to life using 3D layers
Projection mapping
Project #5: “Bringing a Still to Life” (Due: Oct 18)
WEEK 8: OCT 18, 2011
Submit: “Bringing a Still to Life”
Lesson: Blending modes—creating manual effects
Using and combining blending modes
Working with organic materials
Collapsing transformations and blending modes
Lesson: Working with video footage
Import settings in detail (interpret footage)
Manipulating speed: time stretch, time reverse, time remapping
Lesson: Effects Categories (part 1)
Overview of all effects categories
Applying effects: working with adjustment layers
Effect controls/setting keyframes
In depth:
Color Correction
Blur/Sharpen
Stylize
Distort
Time Effects
Project #6: “Abstract Video” (Due: Oct 25)
WEEK 9: OCT 25, 2011
Submit: “Abstract Video”
Lesson: Masking with Alpha and Luma
Blending modes: Stencil and Silhouette
Track Mattes
Lesson: Organic effects—Ink, smoke, spatter
Videos as FX and textures
Building a transition
Creating spatter using AE generated effects
Creating ink bleeds using AE generated effects
In-class Work:
Build a transition using videos
Build an “ink” transition using AE generated effects
Lesson: Style frames
Project #7 (part 1): “Ransom Note” style frames (Due: Nov 1)
WEEK 10: Nov 1, 2011
Submit: “Ransom Note” style frames
Lesson: Effects Categories (part 2)
Generate
Perspective
Transition
Simulation
Using the write-on effect
In-class Work: animate handwriting
Project #6 (part 2): “Ransom Note” rough animation (Due: Nov 8)
WEEK 11: NOV 8, 2011
Submit: “Ransom Note” rough animation
Lesson: Rotoscoping
Manual technique
Roto brush tool
Rotoscoping a human figure
In-class Work: “Ransom Note”
* Bring renders of all your projects to our next class
WEEK 12: NOV 15, 2011
Submit: “Ransom Note” final animation
Lesson: Keying
Lesson: Motion tracking / Stabilizing
In-class Work: Animals in outer space
FINAL REEL: rough draft (Due: Nov 29)
WEEK 13: NOV 29, 2011
Submit: FINAL REEL rough draft
Lesson: AE scripting basics
Lesson: Experimental techniques
WEEK 14: DEC 6, 2011
Survey
WEEK 15: DEC 13, 2011
Submit: FINAL REEL and makeup projects
* Bring renders of all your projects to our next class
WEEK 12: NOV 15, 2011
Submit: “Ransom Note” final animation
Lesson: Keying
Lesson: Motion tracking / Stabilizing
In-class Work: Animals in outer space
FINAL REEL: rough draft (Due: Nov 29)
WEEK 13: NOV 29, 2011
Submit: FINAL REEL rough draft
Lesson: AE scripting basics
Lesson: Experimental techniques
WEEK 14: DEC 6, 2011
Survey
WEEK 15: DEC 13, 2011
Submit: FINAL REEL and makeup projects