COMF 353
AFTER EFFECTS/ANIMATION PROJECT SHEET

After Effects/Animation Project – Students will work in groups of 2 (may work individually)
to produce a 1-minute promotional video spot using digital camcorders and the computer editing systems in
the TV Studio. This project will use the process of non-linear (i.e. non-videotape editing) editing and, more
significantly, Adobe After Effects. Students will hand in a DVD of the project and a short paper describing
their experience in producing this project including what effects were used and what each person contributed
to the project. The project must be an informative promotion relating to one of the student media on campus.
This project will be evaluated for aesthetics, content, use of AE, and technical quality.

NEW DEADLINE - OCTOBER 30 - BE READY TO SHOW IN CLASS THAT DAY. Free 30 day download of After Effects from Adobe.

Actually, you can work by yourself on a 30 second spot or work with another person on a 60 second spot. You may also choose to promote another campus organization other than the student media. This organization must be real and the information is real - no fictional projects.

Requirements:

1. Project must be turned in on DVD-video ready to play in class. A short paper from each student about the production experience is also required. This paper acts as the group evaluation sheet as well, if you worked with a partner.

2. All visual material in the spot must have been composited and edited in After Effects. You may use Adobe Premiere Pro to create content for the project - such as isolating shots, creating green screen, etc. But do not edit items together or add effects in Premiere. You may also use Photoshop for still image creation. In other words, you put it all together in After Effects - then you render it as a movie that you can take to Premiere for final audio mixing and export to DVD.

3. A minimum of 5 different effects must be used on assets in the timeline. These effects are listed under the same-named menu in After Effects. Please indicate in your paper what effects you used.

4. A minimum of 3 different still images must be used - JPEGs, PSDs, PNGs, etc. These may also be Ilustrator files you created. Do not use stock photos or clip art without specific permission from Dr. Pace. Make your own content.

5. A minimum of 3 video clips must be used in the project - AVI, MOV, etc. files. You should shoot these yourself, but you may use archived footage that is provided from the medium or organization - if they have any. Make sure it is good quality footage - not home movies.

6. A mimimum of two text elements must be used. These can be exported from still images or created in After Effects. Please make sure the text has movement or some effect attached to it. Text is pretty boring without some energy added to it.

7. The audio track should contain music, voice, etc. that promotes a specific activity, event, or aspect of the student medium or local organization. Think of the audio track as being similar to a radio spot, but you don't have to have an announcer every second of the track. The audio and visuals should go together in terms of energy and timing.

Suggestions:

1. Write a script and create a storyboard. This helps to organize your project from the get-go. If you fool around with the software hoping something will come of it, the project will take longer and will not be as effective.

2. Think in terms of creating attention and maintaining attention throughout.

3. Keep graphic elements aesthetically pleasing. Use a color palette that is complimentary. Avoid using too many font styles. Keep things looking like they go together.

4. Use footage and stills that you take for this purpose. Many students just want to use what is available and go with that. This often doesn't look good or really fit the style of the project. Make the things you want to use yourself with a video camera, digital camera, or software program.

5. Have fun and be creative. If it is a little cheesy - that's okay this time, as long as it looks like you were trying to do it well. In other words - it looks polished.