Objective
To learn After Effects production techniques by recreating the above video.
Procedure
preparing for the exercise
- download starter files
- examine downloaded files
- launch After Effects
- file > import > "armide.ai" (as composition)
- file > import > multiple files (all other assets)
- view > resolution > half (previews faster at lo-res)
- file > save as "armide.aep"
creating the "dancers" sequence
- open "armide" composition, confirm duration=30;00
- make "dancers" into a pre-comp (RMB)
- open "dancers" composition; duration=5;00
- rename "dancers" layer "small" (RMB)
- layer > 3D layer
- scale larger (S); move up (Y=high) (P)
- tween X position from left to right (00;00-05;00) (P)
- duplicate "small" layer (cmd+D); rename "medium"
- parent=small
- delete keyframes
- adjust Y, Z positions (P)
- duplicate "medium" layer (cmd+D); rename "large"; repeat
- layer > new > adjustment layer (rename "levelsDark", restack between "large" and "medium")
- effect > color correction > levels (make darker)
- repeat
animating the final movie
- go to "armide" composition
- delete "bg" layer
- drag "amideBounce.mp3" into timeline, start sound @ 1;00
- expand waveform, add markers to start/end of sound (2;15, 26;00)
- go to "series" layer
- tween opacity (T):
• 00;00 = 0
• 01;15 = 100
• 04;00 = 100
• 05;15 = 0 (trim: opt+] )
- go to "dancers" pre-comp; start pre-comp at 5;15 ( [ )
- tween opacity (T):
• 05;15 = 0
• 06;15 = 100
• 09;15 = 100
• 10;15 = 0
- drag "face.png" into timeline
- tween scale (S):
• 10;15 = large (trim: opt+[ )
• 15;15 = small (trim: opt+] )
- select both keyframes
- animation > keyframe assistant > easy ease (F9)
- add effect: gausssian blur
• 10;15 = 22
• 15;15 = 0
- tween opacity (T):
• 10;15 = 0
• 11;15 = 100
• 14;15 = 100
• 15;15 = 0
- drag "dagger.png" into timeline; scale to 85% (S)
- tween position (P):
• 15;15 = offstage top (trim: opt+[ )
• 16;00 = kiss bottom
• 20;00 = kiss bottom
• 21;00 = low (trim: opt+] )
- tween scale (S):
• 20;00 = 85%
• 21;00 = 120%
- select 4 keyframes at 20, 21 (scale, position)
- animation > keyframe assistant > easy ease (F9)
animating masks
- layer > new > solid (color=red, below "dagger.png") (cmd+Y)
- trim layer: visible from 16;00 to 18;15 (opt+[ or ] )
- tween opacity (T):
• 17;15 = 100
• 18;15 = 0
- layer > mask > new mask (cmd+shift+N)
- twirl down to mask path property in timeline, transform (cmd+T)
- scale mask larger; move right (lower left corner is on point of dagger); mode: substract
- tween mask rotation (cmd+T); move center of rotation to lower left corner:
• 16;00 = normal
• 16;15 = rotated 90° clockwise
- repeat with new mask (intersect with first mask)
- drag "face2.png" to below "red" layer
- trim layer to start at 17;15 (trim: opt+[ )
- drag "title" to above "dagger" layer
- tween opacity (T):
• 22;00 = 0 (trim: opt+[ )
• 23;00 = 100
- layer > new > solid (color=black, below mp3 layer) (cmd+Y)
- tween opacity (T):
• 25;00 = 0 (trim: opt+[ )
• 26;00 = 100
- drag "logo" to above "black" layer
- tween opacity (1 sec fade in/out @ 26, 29 sec):
• 26;00 = 0 (trim: opt+[ )
• 27;00 = 100
• 29;00 = 100
• 30;00 = 0
- continuous rasterize all vector layers
- turn on motion blur for all layers
- save
rendering a SD movie for YouTube
- "armide": compositon > add to Adobe Media Encoder queue (cmd+opt+M)
- choose preset "YouTube 480p SD wide"
- output to: "armide_SD.mp4"
- start queue
rendering a HD movie for your archives (optional)
- "armide": compositon > add to Adobe Media Encoder queue (cmd+opt+M)
- choose preset "YouTube 720p HD"
- output to: "armide_HD.mp4"
- start queue
grading
- upload "armide_SD.mp4" to your personal YouTube account (privacy=unlisted)
- publish unlisted web address as a link from your process page