What does after effects do? It it useful to take a class on it? I'm sorta worried that it's going to turn out to be a class on elaborate commercial production/editing... what are the uses of after effects in movies? Thanks.

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

it does way advanced compositing (but NOT as good as dedicated compositing programs unless you get filters that cost about 1k)

it mostly does heavy duty effects, layering, mesign with channels (like making a layer transparent based on another layer's lightness values)

stuff like that. cool stuff that you won't need to often.

"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

some people find the analogy makes sense that premiere is like photoshop for video and after effects is like illustrator for video.

nope afraid it makes no sense whatsoever. lol.

maybe premeire is like the kid pix of video and after effects is like photoshop

"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

Chad, I find AE great for developing a 'look' for my films by layering the footage using different filters and composite modes. Also, if you need to stabilize, color balance, or do any alterations to your film, AE tends to be more versitile.

Ahh. Cool that's a plus. I just got in this class (it starts in January).. I just didn't want it to end up being some boring commercial making class...

I have another question: I did a project for production class and I used FCP4's 3 way color balance and I was trying to a look like music videos. Anyone know how to make this setting? Also I want to know how to give my movie a "gothic" look like the first hour or so of Sleepy Hollow. These looks are very similiar so if anyone knows any methods, please let me know. Peace.

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

Hey, commercials are the bread and butter of aspiring filmmakers--they are way better (and more $$$) than making music videos. You better get used to making commercials. I just finished a hellishous Lexus commercial shoot, complete with fake snow and all. But now I can focus on my own projects for a week or two.

Dude, as far as I know, there isn't one 'music video' look. Crushing the blacks and bluring the highlights are two thing off the top of my head that might give you a music videoish look. Also, supersaturate one or two distinct colors using a secondary color corection.

As for the goth look. Obviously a good part of it is in production. In post, you might want to experiment with increaseing contrast and darekening up the mids. Just some thoughts.

HTH
joren

Thanks

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

Do you know how you blur highlights only. I understand lowering there values, or changing the colors, but what do you use to blur a highlight?

Adjust it to your prefrence, but to get you started, dupe the video to higher layer/channel and screen a 3-12% transparent, slightly blured image onto the orgiginal.