VideoSyncrasies
We have authored a training DVD on many of the problems motion graphics artists regularly encounter in their work. Video and motion graphics often requires a person to be a technician as well as an artist, in order to navigate the wide variety of image formats and hardware solutions. To remove this barrier, we have created a training DVD called VideoSyncrasies: The Motion Graphics Problem Solver.
The purpose of this tape is to cover the main issues that seem to trip up users as they work with video on the desktop:
- alpha channels, including the different types (straight and premultiplied), how they are created and managed by a variety of programs, and creatively borrowing the alpha channel from one image to use on another
- frame rates, including the potential problems caused by the differences between 30 fps and the correct NTSC rate of 29.97 fps
- fields and interlacing, including identifying correct field order, and the side effects of incorrectly separated fields
- film to video transfer, including removing pulldown from both "3:2" and "repeated 4th frame" transfers, and dealing with the related audio synchronization issues
- masking and roto, including managing fields and pulldown to reduce masking work and to avoid errors
- video vs. computer image issues, including safe areas, color space, and - most important of all - dealing with the non-square pixels of many video formats in the square pixel computer world
- suggested practices for dealing with interlaced video in the 3D animation world
- miscellaneous image quality "gotchas", including EPS gradient rasterization, the "high quality" switch and alternate frame size options inside MoviePlayer, and identifying missing codecs
- a series of "from here to there" examples on how to convert footage created for one system so that it plays back on a different video hardware system.
- DVD Bonus chapters: Widescreen and Luminance issues. *
The background behind these subjects is explained, along with examples of the potential problems, and demonstrations of how to solve them in a variety of applications. Although most of the concepts are system-independent, specific examples are shown in Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Puffin Designs Commotion, Maxon Cinema 4DXL, and Apple MoviePlayer.
We really feel this DVD will be of great help to beginning through intermediate level video editors, compositors, and 3D animators alike, and in particular will prove to be a great training aid as studios attempt to bring new staff up to speed quickly.
DVD Total running time is 255 minutes (over 4 hours); list price $99.95.
To order VideoSyncrasies: The Motion Graphics Problem Solver, go directly to its page at Amazon.com, or order from Desktop Images (catalog number DI1054).
* Note: VideoSyncrasies is also available as a two-tape VHS version for $79.95, total running time 225 minutes. The VHS set does NOT include the bonus chapters on Widescreen and Luminance issues.