Create a Brilliant 3D Explainer Video for Your Business

Join me for a quick overview of scriptwriting, where we learn the four pillars of a great script:

1. Problem
2. Solution
3. Story
4. CTA (Call To Action)

Join me for a quick overview of storyboarding. I introduce you to the breakdown of the 3 phases we'll be going through to start bringing some structure to our script.

Join me for a quick overview of Illustration, where we begin moving away from sales and into the development of the animation. That starts with choosing our artstyle and finding artwork!

Join me for a quick overview of animation, where the project really starts to come together. We'll be getting comfortable with Adobe After Effects, gradually upping the difficulty level, and getting hands-on with some awesome case-studies.

Join me for a quick overview of the voiceover module, where we begin to apply the finishing touches to our animation. We also explore whether you should record the VO before or after illustration and animation, and why it's important to consider.

Join me for a quick overview of sound effects, where we explore how to go about designing, selecting and purchasing the atmospheric sounds of our animation. We look into buying SFX and even creating our own to save on costs.

Join me for a quick overview of editing, where we bring all of the hard work together. We'll be diving into Adobe Premiere to slice and dice every module we've worked on, and catch the first glimpse of the final work!

Join me for a quick overview of public relations. This last module is crucial if we want to give our brand the best possible opportunity at getting industry-wide attention.

We briefly look into what kind of hardware we'll be needing. Fortunately, only modest computing power is needed for animation these days, but certain components can have a greater effect on your work flow than others.

We briefly look into what kind of software we'll be needing. Namely, the 6 Adobe programs all available on a 30 day free trial:

1. Photoshop CC
2. After Effects CC
3. Illustrator CC
4. Flash CC
5. Audition CC
6. Premiere CC

We briefly look into how to transform our 2D animation into a next generation 3D world. Inspire like Pixar, and make sure your video gets watched until the end. To do this, we push After Effects into overdrive with the Element 3D plugin.

We set the path ahead for scriptwriting by looking into how we combine entertaining animation with the not-so-entertaining sales message.

Download the problem template for this segment.

We look into the first pillar of a great script, which is to highlight the problem in order to increase the likelihood your prospect sees value in your offer.

Download the solution template for this segment.

We look into the second pillar of a great script, which is to follow the problem with the solution to it.

Download the story template for this segment.

We look into the third pillar of a great script, which is to integrate the problem and solution together through the wonderful art of storytelling.

Download the CTA template for this segment.

We look into the last pillar of a great script, which is to make a request to your prospect after the video finishes, to ensure they enter the next phase of your sales funnel.

Download the A.N.I.M.A.T.E templates for this segment.

With a script framework in place, we're ready to optimise every line with psychological triggers to ethically motivate people to watch your entire video, and then take the action you desire. We do this through the trigger acronym A.N.I.M.A.T.E:

• Abrupt
• Narrative
• Impact
• Measure
• Absolute
• Tangible
• Easy

With a script framework in place, we're ready to optimise every line with psychological triggers to ethically motivate people to watch your entire video, and then take the action you desire.

With a script framework in place, we're ready to optimise every line with psychological triggers to ethically motivate people to watch your entire video, and then take the action you desire.

With a script framework in place, we're ready to optimise every line with psychological triggers to ethically motivate people to watch your entire video, and then take the action you desire.

With a script framework in place, we're ready to optimise every line with psychological triggers to ethically motivate people to watch your entire video, and then take the action you desire.

Download the scripts for this segment.

We explore the 5 unused drafts for the Wayki script. It's easy to overlook the importance of early drafts but each one plays an important role in forming the eventual final script, as you'll see.

We explore the 5 unused drafts for the Wayki script. It's easy to overlook the importance of early drafts but each one plays an important role in forming the eventual final script, as you'll see.

Download the script templates for this segment.

We take all the segments of the script we've written, and bring them together for the final version! We read through our mousetrap case-study to help visualise the workflow.

Before we finish up, we answer some frequently asked questions, including 'how long should your video be?', 'what the ratio should be between problem and solution', and my recommended list of books you can read to take this topic further.

Well done for getting to the next module! I introduce the topic of storyboarding where we start to bring structure to our script by assigning scenes to lines and drawing our artwork concepts.

We spend a few minutes looking into the most common ways to storyboard, what I recommend, the tools you'll need and the all-important KISS principle.

Download the storyboard templates for this segment.

We transfer our written script into the storyboard and grab a pencil to start drawing! I use the Wayki script to show you how this is done, so you can start transferring your own.

We look into how to transfer our drawings from paper to the computer through Adobe Photoshop CC. We then learn how we can enhance those drawings to create a professional presentation.

We go though the final stages of the storyboarding process to transfer our images to the storyboard, before condensing and exporting as a beautiful PDF.

Before closing out the module, we look into some advanced workflow tips including setting up our folder system, and getting inspiration from others online by scouring YouTube for animation ideas.

As we start to build momentum we're going to change direction just a little. Say goodbye to sales (for now) and wave hello to the visual stages. We introduce the workflow of this module which includes finding/buying artwork, organising in layers ready for animation later, as well as the option of hiring illustrators.

Art style is important for both giving your brand it's essence and ensuring your animation remains coherent throughout. We also start looking at places online where you can find both paid and free artwork.

We look into one more way in which you can get free artwork through a neat little Illustrator CC hack. It also opens up your potential library of free artwork ten-fold!

Download the resources for this segment.

We look into the magic sauce of 3D animation which really boils down to properly exporting artwork out of Illustrator in layers, which can then be separately animated once imported into After Effects. To make things really easy we go through the process with a hands-on case-study of the intro house scene.

Download the resources for this segment.

We look at how to change the colour of our artwork and apply gradient. To make the learning process easy we explore a case-study of the bedroom scene within Wayki.

Download the resources for this segment.

We look at how to reshape layers in Illustrator so you can get the exact look you're after. The case-study we use here is Monsti's hand which you'll recognise once we've changed the shape of the original.

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We load up Jake's head in Illustrator and create multiple facial expressions which will be imported into After Effects as separate layers later for animation.

Before clocking off for Illustration we tick off last minute tasks such as organising the artwork layers, saving into the folder system, exporting help and FAQs.

We dip our toes into After Effects by first learning how to open up our first project and set up our workspace to hit the ground running.

Download the resources for this segment.

Now we're getting somewhere! Grab the Bouba and Kiki exercise and discover the most important tool in animation:

• Working with keyframes

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We jump into the parachute scene case-study from Wayki to learn about scary terms like (they're not really):

• Continuous Rasterization
• Motion Blur
• Transforming 2D into 3D (2.5D) animation

Download the resources for this segment.

We revisit the parachute scene in Wayki to clearly explain some other mysterious terms used in animation:

• Parenting
• Expressions

The final concept we unravel in the parachute sequence is perhaps the most important in creating complex animations that remain manageable as we develop them. We learn how to differentiate between scenes, and produce separate animations within a scene at any one time:

• Pre comps

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We open up a brand new case-study - the clock sequence! This is the perfect vehicle for learning about other new animation terms such as:

• Anchor Points
• Advanced keyframing

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Playtime is officially over! We go deeper now into some more advanced animation techniques. We start by exploring:

• How to operate a camera in a 3D space.

Finally, we also learn the dos and don'ts when importing PNG sequences, and why you might consider them in your animation.

We begin importing our artwork for scene setup, and become fully acquainted with the camera tool so we're ready to start rolling ASAP.

We add in an awesome depth of field effect to the reverse camera track we have in scene one - the opening house sequence. In doing so, we discover a really easy way to reinforce the three dimensions of the world we're seeing:

• Depth of field

Finally now, with both the scene setup and camera movement complete, we're ready to pre-compose the work into its own scene, and prepare for scene two. We also look into how best to transition from scene-to-scene in After Effects.

• Pre-comps for scene 1 and 2

Download the resources for this segment.

We take a brief tour of the PNG Sequence, which opens up the huge marketplace for Flash (.fl) animation to us. We have the opportunity to import ready-made, professional animations into our video.

Download the resources for this segment.

We introduce two new concepts in After Effects which are used when animating complex facial expressions. Fortunately, it's made simple through the case-study of Jake's face:

• Masks
• Puppet Tool

Download the resources for this segment.

Ever wondered how to set your brand apart with one of those cool logo animations? In this video we take a completely made up brand and logo, iHome. (Not very original I know.) We explore some principles behind how to animate your logo and how it's more about referencing your brand through animation rather than being the most technical.

Download the resources for this segment.

I've got a real treat for you here - two bonus sequences within Wayki which you can jump into and reverse engineer into your own video! The best way to learn, I believe, is to get hands-on, make mistakes and build muscle memory. These comprehensive sequences will do just that for you.

Download the resources for this segment.

We go from moving the camera in a 3D space to introducing 3D objects to your animation. Element 3D is an optional plugin for After Effects, but if you're looking for an ultra premium explainer video experience, you won't want to miss it. We look into why you should consider 3D objects in your video and get acquainted with the plugin.

Download the resources for this segment.

We dive deeper into how to animate objects through the Element 3D plugin with a 3D light bulb case-study.

We continue our case-study of the 3D light bulb in Element 3D. We learn how to animate a single object through changing the opacity values and then how to duplicate the object into creating a really nice effect.

We briefly look into the final steps in After Effects before we get ready for editing in Premiere CC. We look into the correct formats, codecs and file sizes.

I answer some commonly asked questions throughout the animation module, such as how to go about building a custom 3D model (.obj) and where to get pre-made objects.

We introduce the VO, understand the precise purpose of it, and ask when the right time to record the VO is.

We tackle the problem of finding high quality voice artists, but first ask whether we ourselves will be the narrator. We also explore the affordable vs expensive ways to get the VO recorded.

I offer some tips on recording to get the best results, as well as some workflow advice to make the process as easy as possible.

To close out our module on the VO, we learn how we can take our rough recording (if done ourselves) and improve it through Adobe Audition's powerful mastering features - phase one noise removal.

We start the module on SFX by updating our folder system to stay organised. And we're going to need it here with all those sounds! We also draw a distinction between the two types of SFX that you will likely have in your animation.

Ok, ok science may be pushing it, but here I push upon you the importance in considering sound/action synchrony, action intensity and the idea of applying human characteristics to elements.

We take a brief amble down the shopping aisle to look for free SFX via 7 really useful sites, and then into paid options where the product quality and bitrate is improved.

If you frequently find yourself walking with a bag of cash over one shoulder you won't want to miss this. At the risk of redundancy, I walk you through how you can find a sound designer if you really want that magic sauce of audio/visual synchrony.

For one last time we update our folder system to stay on top of our large project, and I make a recommendation of the order in which to add your assets to the timeline in Adobe Premiere CC.

Download the resources for this segment.

We jump into a neat little case study to understand the workflow in Premiere. What better way to do that than make a mini animation from scratch with everything we have learnt up until now! We begin by adding the exported animation from After Effects, followed by the music tracks.

The case study continues to evolve, we listen to what we have so far and then begin to add VO and the SFX.

The case-study continues to evolve as we begin to optimise what we have. I introduce the process of nesting in Premiere CC, and explain why we do it.

The case-study continues to evolve as we refine the levels of the different audio tracks, emphasising the VO beyond all else.

The case-study continues to evolve as we introduce keyframes in Premiere to give you more control over your animation's soundtrack.

Finally here, with the editing process complete, we're ready to export! We'll ensure we save in the proper H.264 format, suitable for online viewing, and we'll make sure we save it to the correct folder where the entire project can be safely backed up.

I introduce public relations to help us get the very most from the hard work we've put into our animation. We'll lay the foundation before getting into the theory.

The internet changed practically everything, and PR is no exception. I contrast pre-internet PR with today's world to give you context for the most effective campaigns.

We look into the three steps to getting big attention in your industry, on blogs and news sites, as well as TV and radio if the opportunity comes a' knocking. I share the statistic that 1/4 of Google searches are terms which have never been searched for before. Ever. And I explain how this impacts our PR campaigns.

Download the resources for this segment.

I take you step-by-step in writing your own press release with case-studies to help you along. We learn what the primary objective of a press release is, so that you are crystal-clear on what you need to do to maximise your chances of getting industry-wide exposure, again and again.

Download the resources for this segment.

Now you have your press release ready to hit the wires I introduce you to my press spreadsheet template. If used, this will become one of your greatest assets as it grows. I share with you some advice in how to get the most from your PR contacts.

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Before we wrap up, I share with you the exact email templates I used to grab the attention of big-time reporters (including their responses), giving you the opportunity to reproduce my success in your industry. They are the tactics I eventually used - after many failed attempts - to get the Wayki brand onto Techcrunch.com, Mashable.com and Cnet.com, which collectively attract over 30 million visitors a month.

Just enough time to give you my 3 steps to ensuring a reporter answers your emails, and then we're in for a big BIG celebration! Well done, you completed the course and now have your very own 3D animation for your business. :)

If you'd like to share, I love hearing from students through Twitter, my handle is @papacuppa. I'm more than happy to give you some extra exposure on the blog as well, at http://3dmybusiness.com!

Thanks again, and I wish your business every success.