VFX Compositing with After Effects: The Complete Edition

Name: VFX Compositing with After Effects: The Complete Edition
Rating: 4.4 (269 reviews)

A comprehensive guide to compositing for live-action films in post-production visual effects using Adobe After Effects.

Created byVicki Lau

Last updated 2/2022

English

What you'll learn

Know what, when and how to do simple to advanced compositing in Adobe After Effects
Know how to use Adobe After Effects for simple to advanced compositing of live-action shots
Apply basic and high-level techniques in compositing

Course content

4 sections • 21 lectures • 1h 52m total length

Who am I and Who are you?1:27
Introduction to the instructor as well as an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your aspirations in visual effects (or film), to the community. Learn why the instructor is qualified and the best option to be guiding you through your visual effects compositing learning journey.
What is Compositing?1:48
Have you ever tried combining two totally different images together but the result still looks computer-generated (or fake)? If you are completely new to the whole world and idea of visual effects, this lesson explores what compositing is, how it is used in visual effects in film and television, and the purpose of this course.
This is Compositing2:01
A continuation from the previous lesson, this lesson covers how compositing is used in the film industry, what it is used for, when it would be used and the future of compositing - including current developments of this area.
Software for Compositing1:16
After Effects is only one of the many software available for accomplishing this task of compositing. There are many other options out there which will be explored in this class. In this course, we will focus on one of the most easiest to use - After Effects - for our compositing needs.
Adobe After Effects Interface Walkthrough6:03
For new After Effects users, this lesson goes through the basics of the default interface of the software as well as my own personal preferences and set-ups, in preparation for the task of compositing. If you are a seasoned After Effects user, feel free to skip this class.
Compositing Basics

Basic Compositing11:05
This lesson will explore the basics of compositing including identifying the horizon line, compositing using layers and understanding how blur, depth and color affect the layer and entire image. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to apply effects and adjustments without affecting the entire image and how to apply proper depth to make your layers stand out in a composite.
Green Screen9:24
This lesson will explore the many ways to work with green screen footage and other methods of keying, including a brief insight into the history of green screen. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to key effectively and which method to use where appropriate.
Refining Mattes6:54
This lesson will explore how to refine and finesse your keyed mattes and work with its edges, including different methods to get different results of a refined edge and matte. Tips and tricks are revealed on how and when to use specific techniques and refining mattes with a bit of rotoscoping help.
Color Correction10:52
This lesson will explore different effects applied to blend your layers with the background image of your shot, including refreshers on color theory concepts. Tips and tricks are revealed on which effect to use and how to combine different effects to reach a final composited result.
Set Extension15:22
This lesson will explore the different types of set extension in composites and how to use your recent learning in compositing basics and color correction to create set extensions. Tips and tricks are revealed on matching and aligning 2D images for the purposes of set extension as well as how to work with scale in set extension.
Creating & Matching Shadows7:07
This lesson will explore the different ways to create artificial shadows in compositing including applying what you had learned in the earlier lessons on basic compositing and color correction. Tips and tricks are revealed on tricky situations with shadows and how to avoid artificial shadows where necessary.
Grain4:18
This lesson will explore the importance of grain and how to match grains from two different layers to blend the image altogether in the final composite. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to manually remove existing grain and then applying grain manually for more customization.
Bit Depth & Color Space5:14
This lesson will explore bit depth theory and how to work with color spaces based on your film and shot, including understanding how to find out about such information on the shot that you are currently working on and how the numbers make a difference.
Rendering & Render Formats9:03
This lesson will explore render formats used in the film and visual effects industry, as well as render formats that you can or should use in your own shots. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to speed up your renders and optimize your composites.
2D Tracking & Stabilization6:44
If you were a student of my ROTO 101 course, this lesson uses the shot from that course to explore 2D stabilization and tracking techniques when combining footage with existing camera motion. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to work with multiple layers in stabilizing and tracking footage.
FLASHBACK SHOT: ROTO 1013:50
If you were a student of my ROTO 101 course, then this would be a treat for you. In this lesson, you will learn how I composited and completed our Kevin Spacey shot from that course, from the completed roto to the finished composite.
SHOT TRYOUT: Composite this!1:11
Now that you've followed along, it is time to put your skills to the test with this new shot to try. Once again, post in the Q&A board if you have any questions or go back to previous lessons in order to figure out how to solve the shot.

Compositing Best Practices2:16
A summary of all the points, tips and tricks of compositing we have covered so far, including a take-away sheet that summarizes the lessons and best practices learned about compositing in post-production.
The Thing about Compositing1:57
Ending on a conclusive note, we will touch on some discussion points of compositing and the effective ways to use or apply compositing in your own personal projects, including how and when to use compositing in smart ways.
Stay Tuned for More!1:08
Well done! Compositing can be tricky work. For more in this series, stay tuned for future courses where we cover compositing using other software, other best practices and cheats in the visual effects world.
Compositing Summary

Requirements

Passion and Good Follow-Through
Adobe After Effects CC

Description

If you want to learn how to use After Effects to create realistic visual effects (VFX) shots and not just motion graphics, then you're looking at the right course. This course will reveal the tips, tricks and applications of compositing in post-production visual effects - one of the final steps to finishing and executing any visual effects shot.

Learn How to do Compositing from an Industry-Trained Professional.

Using 3 real live-action films as test shots for this course, learn by actually working on shots while following the course as a step-by-step guide to proper and professional compositing.

Why This Course?

Taught by a real professional in the visual effects and film industry who worked on actual Hollywood blockbusters

Step-by-step guide with practical and hands-on live-action shots to work on
Insights and know-hows that would save you time and money when working on your own visual effects shot

Major part of a series of other more advanced visual effects tricks, tips and methods
Networking and open collaboration opportunities with instructor and students

Create Your very own Cinema Quality Visual Effects Shots.

You will Learn How:

Compositing is applied in film and television
To do realistic compositing
To use After Effects for composting in live-action films
To apply basic and advanced compositing techniques and tricks
Smart ways of compositing and the other effective ways of doing compositing

Complete with additional documents, students who complete the course will also be awarded with a bonus section - kind of like that satisfaction you feel when you finally finish that visual effects shot.

The best part about this course is that it's going to cover all that you need to know about compositing in only the time that is necessary to get the lessons across - unlike those 15-hour courses where most lessons simply just go on forever, or exist for no reason.

If you participate in this course, you will walk away learning and applying what I learned myself, whilst working on the visual effects of major Hollywood film and television, AND saving yourself a bunch of hours with lesson content that only exists when it is necessary.

Who this course is for:

Film students and graduates interested in visual effects post-production
Professionals from other industries looking to try some visual effects shots
Aspiring or new filmmakers working on their own visual effects film
Visual effects professionals who need to refresh their skills and have been out of the industry for a while
NOT for seasoned visual effects professionals who are currently in the industry

VFX Compositing with After Effects: The Complete Edition

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Compositing Basics5 lectures • 13min

Compositing Practices12 lectures • 1hr 31min

Compositing Summary3 lectures • 5min

BONUS1 lecture • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: