In addition to creating motion graphics for a number of clients, we also help teach the art to others. This takes the form of books, a DVD, classes and seminars, plus online training modules.

Conferences

We regularly speak at trade shows and conferences. In 2009 we are scheduled to speak at NAB Post Production World (Vegas) in April; HOW Conference (Austin TX) in June; and the Motion Conference (Albuquerque) in October. In 2008 we spoke at NAB; VidXpo in Denver, and motion08 in Albuquerque.

Classes

We teach occasional AE Essentials and AE Advanced classes, with an Masterclass in Dublin, Ireland in July 2009. Custom classes are also available. Click here for more information.

Books

Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects ("CMG" for short), is our comprehensive reference book; After Effects Apprentice is aimed at the aspiring motion graphics designer. Visit our Books page for more details.

Online Training

We have recently started to create video training to be delivered over the web. Our plan is to create a series of modules that address specific problems and issues, which may be purchased and viewed as you need either them in the middle of a job or to learn at your own pace.

Our online tutorials are availalbe at Lynda.com. If you are not already a subscriber, a FREE 7-day pass to Lynda can be found at lynda.com/go/chrisandtrish.

* We’ve created an hour of video training on using the new features in AE CS4 for Lynda.com’s Online Training Library. The course is called After Effects CS4: New Creative Techniques; it can be found here. Two of the movies are free online; the remaining ten are for subscribers.

Other offerings include:

Technical Track:

Understanding Fields & Interlacing

Working With 3:2 Pulldown

Motion Graphics Project Studio:

Learning the After Effects Glow Plug-in

Creating that "Instant Sex" Look

Lighting Tricks in After Effects

Hot Looks Using Floating Point

SonicFire Pro 4

We have also created a free 20-minute module for using SmartSound SonicFire Pro 4 soundtrack creation program with After Effects. It contains lots of useful information on timing animation to music, whether you use SonicFire Pro 4 or other music. The movie is posted on our blog and can be viewed here.

Video/DVD

Creating graphics for video requires mastering a number of technical issues, concerns and gotchas that are best demonstrated on video. Therefore, we present to you VideoSyncrasies: The Motion Graphics Problem Solver. Total running time for this DVD is 255 minutes (over 4 hours), and it is available from Desktop Images or Amazon.com. VideoSyncrasies demystifies a variety of issues such as frame rates, interlacing, pulldown, and aspect ratios; 3D/video workflow issues are also explained.

Originally released on VHS, the updated DVD version includes bonus sections on widescreen production and managing luminance levels in DV and 601 footage. Click here for more information.