After Effects Expressions for Premiere Pro Editors

Learn how to use After Effects expressions to control and automate animation and to enhance Premiere Pro projects.

Expressions are an advanced feature of After Effects that many editors shy away from. The perception is that you need to be good at scripting to be able to use expressions. But basic expressions are easy to apply using simple point-and-click methods. They're incredibly useful for adding randomness to animation and effects, linking properties to synchronize animation, or even making effects react to music.After Effects Expressions for Premiere Pro Editors is a creative, project-based workshop. Editors take a basic Premiere Pro edit and bring it to life using After Effects expressions and Dynamic Link, following author Angie Taylor's expert instructions. The concepts are broken down into manageable 3–5 minute videos, covering techniques such as randomizing effects, linking animation and color to sound, automating animation, and more.

Introduction

• Welcome
• How to use the exercise files

1. Cross-Application Workflows

• Dynamic linking footage from Premiere Pro
• Importing comps from After Effects
• Copy and pasting items from After Effects

2. Basic Expression Components

• Understanding property values
• Expression language
• Punctuation and symbols
• Why we use variables
• What expressions can't be used for

3. Automating Animation with Expressions

• Linking properties together
• Animating without keyframes
• Looping keyframed values
• Continuing animation off-screen
• Using Sine and Cosine to make undulating waves
• Making things move in perfect circles

4. Linking Tips and Tricks

• Using Expression Controls effects
• Creating null controllers
• Copying and pasting with property links
• Linking text colors together with a single controller
• Linking effects and styles

5. Adding Randomness

• What is wiggle?
• Varying a wiggle over time
• Creating camera shake with wiggle
• Flickering light effects with wiggle

6. Making Elements Respond to Sound

• Converting value ranges with the linear expression
• Creating values from audio levels
• Making colors change over time

Goodbye

• Further resources