Motion Graphics for Video Editors: Creating Backgrounds

Create backgrounds for video projects using Photoshop and After Effects.

Nearly every video project needs a background, whether it's an elaborate background for a chroma key set or simply a lower third. This course shows you how to create your own still and motion backgrounds using a few simple ingredients: the files that come with the course and from other sources on the web, and the built-in tools in Photoshop and After Effects. No special assets or plugins required! Rich Harrington introduces practical and easy-to-implement techniques that are suitable for video editors of all levels, and can be used to quickly add texture and style to your next project.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching the course
• How to use the exercise files

1. Background Essentials

• The role of backgrounds
• What makes a good background?
• Achieving proper contrast
• Unifying the color palette
• When to defocus

2. Gathering Source Materials for Backgrounds

• Exporting sources from Premiere Pro
• Exporting sources from Final Cut Pro X
• Useful websites for source elements

3. Working with Gradients

• The Photoshop Gradient Editor
• Using Gradient Maps in Photoshop
• Using the Colorama effect in After Effects
• Using the Tritone effect in After Effects

4. Designing Backgrounds with Photo Sources

• Defocusing a background
• Creating a screened area
• Simplified duotone backgrounds
• Filtering a background
• More filtering tips
• Blending techniques for backgrounds
• Using patterned tiles
• Using actions

5. Designing Backgrounds with Video Sources

• Choosing footage for backgrounds
• Shooting background plates
• Stacking footage
• Blending footage
• Looping the background
• An alternative workflow with still images and keyframes: Part one
• An alternative workflow with still images and keyframes: Part two

6. Designing Backgrounds with After Effects

• Using the 4-Color Gradient effect
• Using the Cell Pattern effect
• Using the Radio Waves effect
• Using the Fractal Noise effect
• Using offset techniques
• Animating shape layers

Conclusion

• Goodbye