VFX for Motion

VFX for Motion will teach you the art and science of compositing as it applies to Motion Design. Prepare to add keying, roto, tracking, matchmoving and more to your creative toolkit.

Course Overview

Week 1

• How to develop a “good eye” for compositing
• How cameras and eyeballs are different
• Technical gotchas you’ll deal with as a compositor

Week 2

You’ll learn many different ways of attacking this common compositing task. It’ll get a little gnarly.

• Ways to break down shots for roto
• How to approach manual rotoscoping
• Matching roto’d elements to a new shot

Week 3

You’ll become a master of Keylight, and will understand how to break shots apart to create pixel-perfect mattes. You’ll also learn more about matching elements.

• After Effects’ Keylight keyer
• Combining multiple keys
• Troubleshooting tough keys

Week 4

This week is a “focus week,” a chance to catch up on course work and material. You’ll also learn about the differences between the MoGraph and VFX worlds.

• Nodes vs Layers
• Project Organization

Week 5

Dive into the world of motion tracking! You’ll learn to use point and planar trackers to add elements to footage, as well as how to clean up shots using your tracks.

• Point and Planar tracking
• Paint and clean-up
• FG Element Integration

Week 6

You’ll learn how to create effects using lots of built-in tools and compositing techniques. You’ll also get some help from ActionVFX, who have provided elements for you to use.

• Creating effect stacks
• Mimicking a “look”
• Using FX element footage

Week 7

This week is another Focus Week, giving you time to catch up if you need it. You’ll also learn about how your new VFX skills can be put to good use in the industry.

• VFX Reel best-practices
• How to market your new skills

Week 8

Learn to use camera tracking to embed elements into footage. This technique is invaluable, and opens up amazing creative possibilities.

• Comping 3D elements into footage
• Dealing with lens distortion
• Advanced integration techniques

Week 9

It’s time to put everything you’ve learned to the test by completing the final project, a visual effects/motion design extravaganza! This will be one heck of a portfolio piece.

• How to approach a tough composite
• Advanced tracking and integration
• See what you’re made of

Week 10,11,12

• Extended Critique Period

Course Instructor – Mark Christiansen

Mark Christiansen has dedicated his career to creativity, experience design, mentorship and allowing artists to refine their craft. He is responsible for the After Effects Studio Techniques series of books which helped launch a generation of visual effects artists. Mark is a regular contributor to LinkedIn Learning and is responsible for developing the Cinefex for iPad app via a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. Currently, Mark is the Creative Director at Verses.io.

Sales Page moreinfo Archive

School of Motion – VFX for Motion