Encountered problems in AE. Tutorial 5

I was lucky enough to not to encounter anything major. But After Effect crushes every once in a while, and most of the time it does it when the work is not saved. So, go to the after effects preferences and set it on autosave - do yourself a favor.

Then I found out, that sometimes it is much easier to place certain parts of the animation as a separate composition within another composition. For example, my fishes consist of four layer each and I have a whole bunch of them on the screen. In order to avoid a huge clutter, I precomposed four layers that have different mask on that make a single fish as a separate composition. The difficulty is, when you have 30 copies of the same composition,and you need to make one of them, say, different color, do not change properties inside of the composition. It will change them all. Apply changes to the composition separately to the while thing.

When you need to make two masks that would be close together so that there is no gap between them, make one mask, set it on none, and then duplicate it with command+d. Then drag the points away to the area where you need them to be, leaving the adjusting edge intact.

Loop Expression. Tutorial 4

Sometimes we need to place a loop on a certain motion, so that it is repeated over and over and over again. I needed to place such loop on my fishes, so that they would continually move in the water.

http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ebberts_dan/layer_looping.php

http://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/227/7832

The most common loop expression is loop_out("cycle",0) it means that the movement is going to be repeated as is.

Wiggle Effect. Tutorial 3.

http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ebberts_dan/ae6_exp.php

Expressions are one of the interesting functions in After Effects. For example we can use wiggle effect to create a sense of liveliness and motion.

In order to make an object move randomly we need to use a wiggle expression. Wiggle expression can be placed on any transformation property. It can be places on rotation (and the object will rotate randomly), or position, or opacity and so on.

In order to place an expression on a position we need to command+shift click on the stopwatch. And when we get a line to place our expression we write wiggle(5,25). We can write any number according to our needs. The first number is the amount of wiggle movements or changes in the property per second. The second number is the amount of pixels, or values. 25 means that the range of the change is going to be from -25 to 25 pixels.

This week's tutorial on how to make a fish swim. Tutorial 2

By far, I found this tutorial to be the most helpful and it seems to produce the most realistic result.

http://cgswot.com/tutorials/vfx-tutorials/116-07-underwater-scene-in-after-effects-part-1.html#disqus_thread

In details, the video talks about the way we can make objects move more or less realistically. In an example of the fish, the first step is to divide a fish on several areas that are going to be moving. So, the head and the body, tail and back fin. Then we create a mask over a fish and set mask settings to none. then we copy the mask and move it to the next area of the fish, by dragging only one side of the mask. This way masks stay together and we do not see any stripes on the fish. After we make all four masks for four areas of the fish, we copy the fish four times, and delete extra masks on each fish, so that each one has different mask on it.
Then we set all of the masks on add, and set the spindle centers on all of the masks on the left edge if the fish is facing left.
The next step is to set up the parenting. The head is the parent of the body, the body is the parent of the tail and the tail is the parent of the back fin. After that we can set up the movement of the fin, tail and body and place a looping expression on the frame.

In Praise of Dissent. Process 10-18

Untitled from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

In Praise of Dissent (10-16)

Revision 2 11-15 from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Motion Video Critique #9

A Very Vimeo Valentine from Doug Chang on Vimeo.


This time I chose a student work that talks about valentine day on a student's budget. I thought that the plot is pretty interesting and explicit.
Vith this video, I feel like the author starts out pretty strong, and even though there are some strange alignments (0:3, 0:23, 0:24) it started out pretty interesting. At the end, the transitions somehow faded.
I think that the transitions at the beginning of the video were pretty interesting, and dynamic.
I am not sure about the stylistic part though. Aesthetically, the colors are mostly pretty quiet and pastel. It is almost a Martha Stuart valentine day and not necessarily a student. The typeface choice is questionable too. Slab serif looks quirky, but it is also very stable and gives the video some scrap-booking feel.
I think that this video has a lot of potential, but it needs more work.

InPraiseofDissent(progress 10-12-2010)

Untitled from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

How to create a rotating sphere in After Effects. Tutorial 1

I had a need to create a rotating globe for my project and since I am not yet familiar with 3D software I researched the internet looking for a right solution for After Effects that would enable me to create a sphere that would rotate in space like it is three-dimentional. I have found the following solution and I think it should be pretty good for any situation when we need to create a rotating sphere with an image or type on it. So here we go.

First, we need to find or create a map. My video is going to be all ink drawn, so I drew an earth's map. If you want something realistic, you can take any of the realistic photographs and import them in illustrator. Your picture/photograph should be the same size the composition is. So, if your composition is wide, consider a wide map.

Then open a new composition and import your illustrator file in After Effects

Then select the layer with your map in AE and go to Effects/Perspective/CC Sphere

After that your layer should turn into a nice cute sphere. Do not turn a continuous rendering mode, as for some reason it overwrites 3D settings and the object gets locked in the middle of the page. Also, I found that it is much better to change scale and and an angle in the effect menu. It also gives you different lighting and shadowing options.

So here is the small trial end result. On the side of the globe, somewhere around Pacific Ocean, you may notice a vertical white line. It means that my hatching is not even and I would need to go and add lines to  my map.

Rotating Earth Demo from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Motion Video Critique #8

Kinetic Typography - Idiocracy from Nathan Campbell on Vimeo.


I have found this nice video to talk about. I though it is an interesting video because it presents a dialogue of a person with a machine and presents two completely different tones of voices. I find the video pretty funny, but I also like the anti-untopia feel of it.
Nobody really knows anything about the movie Idiocy, but the introduction gives you a pretty clear idea of what it is about.
I have not noticed any major typographical or alignment problems in the movie. The text part appears to be well made and thought throughout. The ending with a TV screen turning off, appears to be somewhat questionable, but at the same time I think it is working. On the 2nd second, words, please speak your name as it appears on your current" turns upside down. I have not noticed anymore turned type throughout the move. And on the 13-14th second where the person is saying, "no it is not correct", "no it is not" is clearly on the circular path, and "correct" may be out of that alignment.
The color scheme is questionable. It seems to be a little too warm inviting and maybe it would be better if it was more mechanical.
Aesthetically it is a nicely executed video. I enjoy it for the well-delivered and clear idea.

Baylor Hospital. Final Video.

Baylor Hospital. Final Video. from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Motion Video Critique #7

World Of Motion from Colin Hesterly on Vimeo.


First of all, I would like to say that I really like this video, because I enjoy the retro aesthetics. I also appreciate the small details. For example, on the 13th second car wheels roll over the bump and the lighting changes slightly, on the 23rd second the motorcyclist comes out of the shadow an you can see nice details. The color scheme, texture on the clouds and the shadowing on the mountains seems pleasing as well. The video works well within the higher width to height video frame. It supports the scenery of a wast landscape. At the same time, the video has a distinct American feel. I guess, because of the landscape and the style of the cars and the train.
The video is, for the most part, well paced and nicely executed. But I think there are a few problems. For example, it starts with an image of the city and it ends with it. On the 44th second the rocket goes up, and on the 48th second the video suddenly stops and goes back to the introduction view of the city. So the ending feels abrupt, like the author ran out either of time or ideas, which is a pity, because the video is very pleasing to watch.

Baylor Hospital. Final video version numer one

Untitled from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Work for Wednesday 10-20

For Wednesday 10-20 from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Video Critique #6

Johnny Likens Reel 2010 from Johnny Likens on Vimeo.




Today I am critiquing a video by John Likens called Subject to Change. 
I thought the deconstructions and aesthetics of this video are composed very nicely. There are only some slight issues on the 0:3 seconds when the cubes are coming together.


I think the way the author integrated the type and the filmed video is working very well. It creates a very modern and dynamic atmosphere. The different graphic and video styles are integrated and transitioned very interestingly. It appears to be very well made from design perspective as the frames exchange each other.


I have not noticed any big design issues other than on the second second. But the biggest difficulty that I have with the video, is that I do not know exactly what it is. Is it a TV promotion? A studio promotion? I get the general idea, but the description is lacking information and there was no place in the video, where I would notice a clear information of what it is about.

Work in progress for Monday 10-18

Work in progress for Monday 10-18 from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Work in Progress Friday 10-15

Work in Progress Friday 10-15 from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Work in Progress

Work in progress from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Work in progress

Work in progress from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Motion Video Critique #5

F L U X from candas sisman on Vimeo.

Today I am critiquing a video called FLUX created by Candas Sisman. 

It doesn't contain much type except in the title, which provides a subtle, but strong introduction. I am guessing that the video idea has a lot to du with fluctuations of different kind. It is dedicated to the Turkish sculptor Ilhan Koman. 

Note: These images are used for a student project only. They are not used for any other purpose than educational and will be deleted once the project is over.

The video appears to be made in 3D entirely. The video is about 4 minutes and 30 seconds long and it goes from one beautiful 3D transition into another. Overall , I find that it get into the essence of the sculptor's work very well.

The color scheme is analogous, but the colors work together beautifully. The rotations and deconstructions seem flawless, and very aesthetically pleasing. 

There are several places though, where the video seems too long, for example at 1:21 the red ball stays in the air for 5 seconds, and at the very end at 4:11 the red line stays on the screen for about 20 more seconds before the closing title.  So the problem is, the viewer gets the idea very quickly, but the video takes too long to develop in some places. What is amazing is, I haven't noticed any repetition o with the unity of the form, there is a also a great variety of small details. Even though the video does not repeat itself, some of the motion figures that the red shapes create, seems similar to one another. So, the video actually is not repetitive, but it may seem like it, because over a long period of time figures repeat similar motions.

Also, unless I have read the description, I would have never known that it is dedicated to the sculptor. I realize that the author tried to keep the title minimalistic, but in this case, understanding the idea, or the dedication of the video, helps the context significantly.  So, it would be helpful if there was a small description line at the introduction.

10 seconds more

Please note that it is very-very raw and don't make any judgments yet.

Untitled from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

First ten seconds of the new Project

Here are first ten minutes of the new video project. It is only at the beginning and I have a long way of editing and animating ahead of me.



1st ten seconds Hospital from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Motion Video Critique #4

Hospital from Matt Dempsey on Vimeo.


This time I decided to critique something that is, unfortunately, not really successful. Or, to be honest unsuccessful. This is a video that visualizes a not very well recorded song called "Take Me to the Hospital"
On the 5th second when letters start to appear, their alignment seems awkward and disproportional. Hierarchy is not very clear. For example placement of the word "hand" does not seem to be correct for the hierarchy purpose. The word "its" is placed into a frame, which doesn't seem to be supported by the song. So it is not clear why the author did it. The word "shaking" along with an arrow and a literally shaking "its" creates a strange and too literal combination. There is not forced connection, no mystery, no interest.

On the 10th second when "To The" appears, it looks like letters were stretched manually. It is not visually pleasing, and looks plain odd. On the second 11 the frames are rotated and the previous frame is squished on top of the screen. Doctor is manually squished than followed by a consequent frames of pictorial images that symbolize doctors and fixing the patient. They are plain and not entertaining in any way.

On the second 21 there are two pictorial images that talk about ambulance costing too much. Again, it is too literal, boring and the placement is very awkward. The black screen slides down and it splits the screen in the middle.

On the 27th second there is a landscape image, and an ambulance car that is going through. The color scheme is not working and it stays on the screen or too long. Typographic treatment is awkward again and poorly placed.

So, this is a poorly done video. Clearly the author did not place too much efforts into his typographic placements, alignments, color scheme, and most importantly, the concept.

Motion Video Critique #3

Crazy Enough - Vancouver Film School (VFS) from Vancouver Film School on Vimeo.


This is a video produced by JR Estrada in Vancouver Film School.
I can't help it, I want to find a not so good video for a critique but when I am looking through the videos, I only like the good ones. :)
The motion video is a title sequence for Jeorge's movie about his life if I am not mistaken. It is called Crazy Enough.
I must say in advance that the technical side is impeccable and there is nothing to critique on that end. What is really great about this video, is that it is not see and say.  For about one minute all we see are geometric figures and some type. But through manipulating color, position and movement the author was able to create a metaphorical representation of people's relationships. So we get the idea about George Estrada's busy life, friendship and relationships.
Stylistically, it is interesting and attractive. The little geometric figures, even though they are only circles and squares have character. Color scheme is sophisticated. The use of texture gives the video a human, warm and handmade feel.
Now, there are not that many scale shifts in this video. There are only little things moving in the screen. There are no large camera turns, or ugly drop shadows, or rapid zooms in and out. Not that they are needed, but it is interesting how the author created a very informative video using relatively limited set of effects.
The movie starts with a square and ends with a square. And while these thoughts may be a subjective reflection, it seems like the author is reinforcing some message. Because the movie is not see and say, we have a freedom of subjective interpretation of what we are shown.

The very last Adidas

Adidas Final-Final video:) from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.


Music by Peter Bjorn and John - "Amsterdam"

Adidas. The final video.

Adidas, Final Video from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.


Music by Peter Bjorn and John "Amsterdam"

Motion Video Critique #2

The Hush Sound — Lions Roar from Mig Reyes on Vimeo.


I chose this video because students who produced it claim that it was their first motion video ever and it is very inspiring that one can achieve such quality on their very first project. It is an animated song Lions Roar by Hush Sound.

First of all this is a very fun video to watch. Even though it is very much see and say, they treat everything that they say in a slightly different but consistent matter. They use type as well as some imagery and create a fun, quirky circus world. It doesn't just say the words of the song, but transgresses them into special meaning.

The color scheme is appropriate and sophisticated. There are multiple hierarchy level applied throughout the song in different manner. It is very easy and fun to read. Like on the 7th second there is an upside down typography, that the viewer can't really see, but it says, "the hush sound burns sweet music into your ears until they bleed money!"

See and say. The video seems pretty simple, but at the same time they say things slightly differently every time. And behind that surface simpleness lies a very complex work, because of the way type treatments work and flow from one another and an overall technical quality of this video.

Craft is great. This is a very well finished and successful video. Technical part is amazing, especially if it is really the author's first project. This is a very well paced motion piece. The only thing that I found, was on the 9th second, where the song says, "puppets on strings, all dance and sing", they just hang letters on the strings. And tops of those strings just appear in the middle of the screen. But it still works very well. People who did it, really put a lot of work into this video. They also treat their graphic details with humor. Where the song sings about delicate dame (27th second), delicate dame is shown in some cartoony bubble like character. Then on the second 106 the girl is shown with a pictogram from women's toilet. And there are a lot more small but fun details like this.

Adidas. Revision #2

Untitled from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.


Music by Peter Bjorn and John - "Amsterdam"

First Adidas Video

Here is my first Adidas video. I know it is pretty crooked in many places, but I am going to improve it within the next couple of days.

Untitled from Natalia Zinser on Vimeo.

Motion Video Critique #1

All is well from Chris De la Rocha on Vimeo.


Here is my critique.
I have decided to choose this video, because, even though it is a little bit short, it caught my attention and it seems to be pretty interestingly made. It is also quite different from many other motion videos that I looked through.

Author's intent was to play with Rockwell typeface. He connects Rockwell font and hypnotizing notion.
Aesthetically, it is fun and consistent. I think the author is referring to vintage movies, because the video has such qualities as desaturation, appropriate color scheme and noise. When you look at this movie several times, it gives you a headache. So I guess it is really hypnotizing.

Hierarchy. There are several levels of hierarchy. He goes from type's name and the date of its creation to the description of the type and size and other data. It is a little hard to read, because the circles are rotating, but since it was author's intent, it works well.

The video seems to be paced pretty well. On the second 16, Rockwell panel goes left and right and then forward it seems to be a little bit too fast and inconsistent with the rest of the video.

There is really not much reconstruction and deconstruction. Thing are not really transforming into one another. But there is a lot of motion. We see the rotating circles with Rockwell typeface, and it repeats several times. But the overall plot is interesting and catchy.

See and Say. That part was quite hard to get at first, but then I noticed that the author placed two sound tracks over the video. One is saying "All is Well." and another one reads what written in the circle.

I think the stylistics and craft of this video are pretty successful. It seems like the author payed attention to the details. I did not notice any major craft issues. The letters flying over the screen sometimes felt to move too quickly and not smooth enough.