The After Effects Blog

KL1054 Voicemail Box

2009-08-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

I now have an official contact number! Call me and you will automatically hear a voicemail recording, and you can leave me a message after the beep. I check my messages every so often so be sure to leave me one. If you have any questions about how I got a voicemail box (for free) contact me at kl1054@theaeblog.tk.

Voicemail Box Number:

206.333.7900

*I might make a video about my voicemail box soon.

Energy Push and the Movie "Push"?

2009-07-30T18:39:00.001-07:00

Just recently I was browsing through Netflix's huge collection of movies and I came across the movie "Push." I watched the trailer for it and realized the concept of the VFX is a lot of like my energy push video found here.

Merely an interesting coincidence I found today that I'd thought I'd share.

Here's the trailer for the movie "Push:"

NEW VIDEO - Energy Push

2009-07-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

VIDEO DESCRIPTION

VFX energy push test. Primarily a practice for:

-Morphing two frames together with animated masks

-Intensive color correction

-Sound effects matching video

-Slight cinematic effect

Made in Adobe After Effects CS4. Send me an email!

How did I make this?

-Watch the VFX Breakdown here:

*link not available yet*

-Text description

1. Cut raw footage and overlayed ping pong ball blast with hand blast

2. Keyframed mask shape of ping pong blast layer

3. Added motion blur shake when balls are blasted off

4. Added two beginning footage layers as an extra element

5. Added color correction using Curves (contrasted image and brought down red channel)

6. Assembled rough composite with extra footage elements

DOWNLOADS

Video (720p HD)

Sound effect (Conveyor)

Sound effect (Reverse riser 05)

--Footage--

Energy Push - In Development

2009-07-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

There's a new video in development! This is a VFX test mainly testing out intensive color correction, morphing frames together, and sound effects. I don't have any screenshots at the moment but you can take a look at the raw footage and try to guess what I'm trying to do =P

Raw Footage: (uploaded on new KL1054Extras YouTube account)

Lady GaGa - Starstruck (Audio to Keyframes Conversion)

2009-07-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

A while back I was trying out the convert audio to keyframes feature within After Effects and I said I would post an example of what I did.

If you can see, the opacity of a white solid is changing based on the audio amplitude.

(Uploaded by ADDYDINNER)

Quick Tip: Converting Audio to Keyframes

2009-07-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I haven't posted anything in quite a while now but here's a new quick tip: the feature Converting Audio to Keyframes.

Converting Audio to Keyframes basically extracts the amplitude from the left, right, and stereo channles of an audio layer and renders it as numerical values on a slider in a null object. Using these numerical values on a parameter in another effect can create a link between the audio amplitude and the effect's parameter.

For example, linking the value in the stereo channel in the audio interpretation to the opacity of a solid and make the solid blink every time the audio's amplitude magnifies. If there is a strong bass kick in an audio layer that converts to the numerical value of 12.5, it may, for example, translate to the opacity level of 84%. However there are so many other possibilities with this feature. For instance you can also link it to the particles/second parameter in Trapcode Particular to have the amount of particles coming out to be based on the audio amplitude.

Here is a music video that demonstrates the usage of this feature. (notice how the scale of the video changes as a strong beat comes in)

To convert the audio to keyframes, simply right-click an audio layer and go to Keyframe Assistant > Convert Audio to Keyframes.

I will post an example of what I did with this feature soon.

Updates!

2009-06-19T10:25:00.001-07:00

It's been almost a month since I've last updated the site - well things have been going on since my last upload, my Vans video. I've been really busy recently with a lot of projects I'm doing for other people - promos, intros, etc. If you want me to make a video for you, just email me and we can start talking about it.

Again, here's an update on in-video advertising. Here is the current price chart:

Outro ad = 20

Intro ad = 25

Banner = 30

Banner + Intro/Outro = 35

Banner + Intro + Outro = 40

I highly reccommend you try this advertising. It helps boost your popularity on YouTube, especially when you really need it!

Contact me for more info: AIM or email

Also I have been working on videos. Recently I've been messing around with the "Convert Audio to Keyframes" feature. It's gotten me some pretty cool results. I will post some extra videos of that soon on my blog.

(Convert Audio to Keyframes feature)

I've finished a promo video for someone else although they've given me permission to upload it to YouTube. The video should be up in the coming week or two.

NEW VIDEO - Vans® Promo - "Amazing"

2009-05-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

**unexpected/surprise new video**

VIDEO DESCRIPTION
Video promo/commercial for the shoe company Vans. This was originally a school project for making commercials. Titled "amazing" because well, Vans' shoes are, put simply, amazing.

Thanks to Andrew Kramer/VideoCopilot for their amazing products used in this video, including Evolution and a touch of Film Magic Pro. Music by A.R. Rahman - "Mausum and Escape."
Evolution: http://www.videocopilot.net/products/evolution
Film Magic Pro: http://www.videocopilot.net/products/fmp
A.R. Rahman - Mausum and Escape: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WOWIH41W4c

DOWNLOADS
Video (720p HD)
Music

Send me an email if you want downloads for the swirl-like elements and/or the actual footage.

Vans Promo UPDATE

2009-05-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hehe, here's a little unexpected update.

I've been working on a Vans promo for school and it turned out to be awesome enough for YouTube.

Well guess what.

I'm gonna post some screenshots soon and be expecting it to be up on YouTube very soon - maybe even in the coming weeks.

Keep in mind I'm still working on other videos.

Email me for more info.

In-Video Advertisements - UPDATE

2009-05-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

I've made a new condition to my upcoming in-video advertisements, and an approximate price range. For the bases, here's the pricing info:

Banner + Full screen = High

Banner = Moderate

Full screen = Low

If you're interested, please feel free to email me.

Also I will be making a visual effects video promoting this oppurtunity. This video is expected sometime in June.

In-Video Advertisement Oppurtunities

2009-05-22T20:25:00.001-07:00

[IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT]

KL1054 is now open for in-video advertisement oppurtunities. In the middle of my upcoming videos (that is at least a minute long) a 3 - 5 second banner will show advertising either you or one of your products/services/etc. Also at the end of the video, there will be a full screen animation advertising the exact same thing shown in the banner.

Both can be either animations or images. If you have an idea in mind but don't know how to make it, i'll make the animation for free for both the banner and the full screen advertisement.

As for price, there will be ONE solid amount for a permanent advertisement in my video. Also note that prices will be very cheap, there is no need to worry about financial troubles.

If you're interested or want more information, please send me an email: kl1054@theaeblog.tk

Film?

2009-05-16T17:19:00.001-07:00

Recently I've been learning a lot on my own about film. This include cinema, short films, and other professional film.

I'm going to put my new knowledge to use by making a few short films soon. All (or at least most) films will have cool visual effects.

A snippet of what I've learned:
-Color correction
-Depth of field
-Camera angles
-Camera transitions
-Camera "wiggle"
There's a lot more but the ones listed are the main points.

Email me more more info: kl1054@theaeblog.tk

KL1054 Twitter Promo Updates + Screenshots

2009-05-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

I've finished making a KL1054 Twitter Promo as to promote my Twitter account. See my latest updates on Twitter in the Twitter Updates box above. Find me on Twitter here.

To be honest, I was fairly disappointed in my quality of work in this video. It's not as suspenseful, not as great, and I could have done much better. Nothing really new here.

It'll be quite some time before it goes on YouTube. I want to finish a film or a movie trailer first.

Screenshots:

Down Time + Updates

2009-05-06T19:18:00.001-07:00

Recently The After Effects Blog has been going through some down time - if anyone tried visiting using the www.theaeblog.tk domain, you got an error from Dot TK showing that there's a "lot of new users" and the server is "overwhelmed." The down time is over now, and if it should ever happen again, my site is still available via www.theaftereffectsblog.blogspot.com.

--UPDATES--

I've been losing a great number of followers on Twitter *sigh*. I've had 41...now I have 36...I think it's cuz my tweets are lame? lol...find me on Twitter here.

Finished my Twitter promo - not going on YouTube just yet.

Going to make the following videos:

Intense movie trailer (with detonation scenes!)

Video comparing short film and movie cinematic styles/dialouge

Short film (Not sure about what...email me suggestions! kl1054@theaeblog.tk)

That's it for now. Also - I'm gonna post a quick tip about color correction soon =)

NEW VIDEO - Adobe CS4 Motion Graphics Promo

2009-04-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

VIDEO DESCRIPTION

More After Effects motion graphics insanity using Andrew Kramer's Evolution and Pro Scores. Promo video for Adobe's new CS4 product line release.

Mainly a practice/test for color creativity, transition control, and overall intensity.

Evolution: http://www.videocopilot.net/products/evolution

Pro Scores: http://www.videocopilot.net/products/proscores

Send me an email for more info: kl1054@theaeblog.tk

DOWNLOADS

Footage Files

KL1054 Twitter Promo Audio Sneak Preview!

2009-04-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of the audio I'm going to be using in my new Twitter promo.

I used Andrew Kramer's Designer Sound FX and Pro Scores to assemble this soundtrack.

Preview link:

www.kl1054twitterpromoaudio.tk

Adobe CS4 Motion Graphics Promo - Screenshots

2009-04-28T16:27:00.001-07:00

Here are some screenshots for my new Adobe CS4 Motion Graphics Promo! The style and design of the promo will be very similar to my KL1054 After Effects Promo. To read more about the comparison between the two, read my post here.

For more info, please send me an email! kl1054@theaeblog.tk

*Click on any of the images for a high-res, full-screen view.

Effects of Color Correction

2009-04-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

Color correction has a huge effect on both images and videos. Photographers and professional image editors typically use color correction on images to make specific aspects of the image "pop out" and to make the overall appearance better.

Recently, I've taken a picture and the color correction was horrible. After messing around with some color correction using the basic Curves adjustment in After Effects, the image was great. I just wanted to point out how important color correction is.

After Effects screenshot:

Comparison image (before-after):

New Beta Channel Theme!!

2009-04-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

I've completely reorganized my YouTube channel! I'm using the new beta YouTube channel design. Everything looks totally different and cool.

The theme will only be like this for 3 days! Take a look soon before I revert it back to my old channel design!

http://www.youtube.com/kl1054

*Email me at kl1054@theaeblog.tk for instructions on how to change your YouTube channel to the new channels beta.

IMPORTANT New E-Mail

2009-04-19T13:51:00.001-07:00

Some of you know my email: kevinlin664@aol.com
But who's gonna remember that? You guys probably know me as KL1054.
And you know my website - the one you're on right now. www.theaeblog.tk.

Which is why I've set myself up a new email that's a lot easier to remember:
kl1054@theaeblog.tk

So please, the next time you need to contact me, send me an email to my new email, rather than my old one.

If you liked my KL1054 After Effects Promo...

2009-04-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

My most recent video, "KL1054 After Effects Promo," has gotten some very satisfying feedback. VERY satisfying. I could call this my most successful video...lol.

So far, the video has received 52 ratings and every rating was 5 stars.
Again, that is amazing community feedback.

The hot spots for the video:

In every second of the video, the audience attention is above average and is very high.

----------------------------------------------

Because everyone thinks this promo is so awesome, you guys will probably love the new Adobe CS4 Motion Graphics Promo. It's finished but not on YouTube yet. Be expecting it to be online in about 2 - 3 weeks. Screenshots coming soon!

*Email me if you wanna see a sneak peak!

KL1054 on Twitter!

2009-04-18T10:02:00.001-07:00

I've got myself a Twitter account. Well actually, I did about two weeks ago and I was too lazy to post it up on my site, so...

My username is KL1054 and you can find me here: http://www.twitter.com/kl1054
Follow me! I've got 6 followers so far...let's try to get that up!

EDIT
I added a Twitter widget to the right hand side of my website. Check "Latest Twitter Updates" to see my most recent tweets!

Adobe CS4 Promo - Update

2009-04-14T17:22:00.001-07:00

I've been working on an Adobe CS4 promo, almost "advertising" some of Adobe's most popular and best-selling programs. In the promo I add a little bit for AE, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, and Premiere.

I'm now more into motion graphics promos or anything else that's motion graphics. From here on out, it's not likely that there will be much more effect tests or anything with live footage. Some may come every here and there, but just note that I am now much more into the motion graphics industry.

TechSupportGoneBad Intro+Promo

2009-04-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Guess what! I'm getting paid for making a promo and an intro for YouTube user TechSupportGoneBad. I've already finished the intro. It's very short and simple, didn't take much time.

Check out his channel!

And his website! (lol)

Here it is.

KL1054 TUTORIALS?!

2009-04-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

BE EXPECTING TUTORIALS SOON!

I FINALLY got a good (not the best) screen recording program that actually works on my lame beta Windows 7. I have Camtasia (and was planning to use it for tutorials) but it doesn't work with my Windows 7 OS...how lame...

So I got this program called Total Screen Recorder. The quality and frame rate isn't the best, but it's still usable. The FPS (frames per second) rate is about 1/3 of the VideoCopilot tutorial frame rate...so that's decent.

I've tried using Hypercam 2...the quality and frame rate is amazing, but whenever I play back the recorded video, it's sped up by like 10x. I tried lowering the frame rate and quality, then it played back at normal speed, but it certainly was crappier than Total Screen Recorder.