Adobe TV

The first place to look for good tutorials in After Effects or other Adobe Products is Adobe TV.

Click on the image below.

Crowd Control

If you’ve ever wished you could add actors into to your presentations, motion graphics, animations, websites, or 3D visualizations, but felt that you didn’t have the time or money to do it, that’s about to change. Introducing Crowd Control – The world’s largest stock-footage library of actors keyed out from their green background, and ready to be added directly into motion graphics, 3D architecture, and visual effects projects.
http://allbetsareoff.com/products/crowd-control/

After Effects Tutorials

Creative Cow is the one stop site for all your media application tutorials including After Effects, Photoshop, Avid & Final Cut Pro.
http://library.creativecow.net/tutorials/adobeaftereffects

Virtual Cameras

I found this really good article on virtual camera’s in after effects. Have a good read of it, it will help all of you who are using cameras in your video’s
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1273350&seqNum=2

Green Screen Shooting

Last week we looked at a simple introduction to green screen shooting. Blue and green are the most likely colours used for colour keying. Blue works best for shooting on film, green for video. Firstly, why do we use green or blue? Well, the simple answer is that that is blue and green are considered most unlike our skin tone, but the reason for using green on video and blue on film is a little more complex use the link at the bottom for more information.
For the colour comparisons, check out the color wheel as a reference. Its important to get used to this, as it is important to know your way around it for colour correction, etc.

There are 3 important things to remember when shooting in front of a green screen

The lighting of the green screen
The lighting of the subject
Positioning of the shot and subject.

Two of these important factors need to be dealt with before we get in front of the green screen. So for the lighting, if the shot we are going to be compositing on to has all the lighting from the left of the screen, then we need to make sure our subject is lit in the same way. Although there is a lot we can do with lighting effects and colour correction in post production, it will make it easier on you if you plan these shots before you go filming. The same goes for the angle of the shot, plan both shots before hand and it’ll make your compositing a hell of a lot easier. Use backlights to eliminate green spill, and make sure the subject is far enough away from the greenscreen to avoid shadows. Also, make sure we light the green screen and our subject as separate entities, even switching off the lights from one to light the other.
When it comes to lighting the green screen itself, remember less is more. The only thing we want to achieve is an evenly lit screen. We want one tone of green throughout with no shadows or highlights. It doesn’t need to be bright, just even. Too much light on your green screen will result in green spill on your subject and we don’t want that! There’s some great information on lighting a green screen here…

http://library.creativecow.net/articles/onneweer_barend/chromashoot.php

We also took a quick look at compositing. The techniques we discussed and tried out are explained in the following links
Colour Correction in for Green Screen Compositing
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/coots_brendan/greenscreen.php
Using light spill for compositing (bluring the edges of our matte over our foreground)
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/dewar_john/light_spill.php
and here’s a great video co-pilot tutorial using Keylight.
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/basic_color_keying/
enjoy!

Post Production Techniques

Reference: IMD414
Level: 4
Credit points: 22.5
Weighting: 1.5
Study time: 225 hours

Description:

Building on the experiences of the autumn term this unit aims to introduce students to digital postproduction techniques and to explore a range of digital media production methods. The unit will cover the investigation of digital compositing, motion graphics, green screen and the use of real and virtual materials. In addition students will explore a range of digital editing techniques in both video and sound.
Students will gain an understanding the importance of project planning and the use of project management tools, digital work-flows and working to tight time schedules.
Students will also have opportunities to research the development of digital media post-production tools and their effects on working methods and production processes.
During this unit students will gain an understanding of tools, techniques and processes that will inform their work on their chosen pathway at Level 5.

Outline syllabus:

Digital compositing techniques
Green screen techniques
Working with digital images
Screen ratios and formats
Copyright
Type design for screen
Virtual studios
Combining real and virtual material
Advanced Sound techniques
Digital work flows
Project planning and management

Method of delivery:

Projects; studio practice; learning teams; research; tutorials; critiques.

Aims:

A1 To develop fundamental skills and understanding in a range of post-production techniques
A2 To explore a range of digital video and sound editing techniques
A3 To gain an understanding of the importance of project planning methods
A4 Develop an understanding of digital post-production techniques and their effects on working methods and production processes

Learning outcomes:

On completion of this unit you will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate a range of skills in digital video and sound editing techniques
LO2 Develop own work demonstrating a range of post-production techniques
LO3 Demonstrate an understanding of the use of project planning methods
LO4 Analyse the effects of digital post-production techniques and their effects on working methods production processes

Assessment Requirements:

Project 100%
Each assessment requirement must be passed at a minimum grade of 40% to successfully complete the unit.
Assessment criteria (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes and linked to the
statement of generic assessment criteria matrix):
Evidence of knowledge of technical processes (b) – Through completed project (LO1, LO2, LO3)
Evidence of realisation through application of technical knowledge and skills (g) – Presentation of completed project (LO1)
Evidence of understanding through research and analysis (c) – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of digital post-production techniques (LO4)

Reference material:

This will vary according to the needs of individual students. You will define Reference Material through negotiation with staff and list it in your Learning Agreement. For further guidance on resources please speak to your Subject Librarian

Useful Techniques