Syllabus Spring 2013

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: Jan17

Review notes and tutorials for After Effects windows and tools.

Create a Vimeo account.

Find your favorite motion graphics video and email me with a few sentences describing what you like about it.

WEEK 2: Jan 24

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”

WEEK 3: Jan 31

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: “Geometric Shapes”

WEEK 4: Feb 7

In-Class Work: "Geometric Shapes" work in progress

Lesson: Imported and AE native media

Importing Photoshop layers
Bitmaps vs. Vectors: Continuously Rasterize
Importing Illustrator layers
Solid layers
Masks
Shape Layers

Lesson: Pre-comping and Nesting
Precomping/nesting
Collapse transformations
Keeping comps organized

WEEK 5: Feb 14

Submit: “Geometric Shapes”

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

Project #3: “10 Letter Word”

WEEK 6: Feb 21

Submit: “10 Letter Word”

Lesson: Type (part 2)

Animating source text
Animating text with paths
Text animators

Project #4: “Song Lyrics”

WEEK 7: Feb 28

In-Class Work: "Song Lyrics" work in progress"

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 8: March 7

Submit: “Song Lyrics”

Lesson: 3D Layers (part 2)

Bringing 2D images to life using 3D layers
Projection mapping

Project #5: “Bringing a Still to Life”

WEEK 9: March 21

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”

WEEK 10: March 28

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” thumbnails and style frames

WEEK 11: April 4

Submit: “Ransom Note” thumbnails and 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

WEEK 12: April 11

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 13: April 18

Submit: “Ransom Note” final animation

Lesson: Keying

Lesson: Motion tracking / Stabilizing

In-class Work: Choosing clips for the final reel / makeup projects

Final Project: Reel

WEEK 14: April 25

SURVEY

WEEK 15: May 2
Final Project and all makeup projects are due