In our latest After Effects session with Sara we focused on a technique called Boiling.
This technique uses both analogue and digital elements. It starts with drawing and tracing an image, so that in the end you have 3 copies of the same image, this produces 3 very similar looking images, that when viewed in quick succession resembles how water looks when it is boiling.
We started by scanning in the drawn images and importing them into the Photoshop. This was to ensure that each of the elements within the image were in the same place. To ensure that the images were cropped to the same dimensions and positioning, you can select the crop tool, select the area to crop too, then crop, then with the marquee tool you can drag the selected area over to another window, and hold shift whilst holding the cursor over the second will drop the select the exact same area on this other canvas.
Once all the photoshop files were set up properly, we had to save them at 72ppi, in a naming format similar to name_001.jpg, name_002.jpg, name_003.jpg etc (on a side note, this technique works better with an odd number of files, just with how the brain analyses images, an even number like 2 would just make it look like there was a glitch in the video).
The next step was to then start working in After Effects.
We started with making a new composition, 1920 x 1080, with a frame rate of 25fps, and a duration of 10 seconds.
Then we had to import the saved jpgs, but when importing the files, we selected all 3 of them and turned on the option that says "import as JPG Sequence", and this allows the imported file to be a composition of stills but looks like a moving image in just one layer - making it easier to handle.
Once the imported file was placed in the composition timeline, we clicked back in the project window and went to file - interpret footage main, and changed the frame rate to match that of the composition from 30 to 25. Whilst still in this window, we changed the loop settings to 50 times. This loops the file out to the 6 second mark.
The next step was to select the layer, and go to the pop out menu in the timeline window, and select the turn stretch on, and changed it to 200 %, changing the frame rate to half - 12fps.
The next thing we did was create a new solid fill layer to sit at the back of the composition, with an off white colour. Then we started to experiment with visual effects. We started with colour correction, and hue/saturation with changing the the master saturation to -100%. We also used the levels option to make the whites whiter and the blacks blacker. We also used the tint options with the map black/white to and then I selected a magenta kind of colour to converty my pencil to a magenta/pink colour.
Then we toggled the switches and modes, so that the blending options were next to the layers in the timeline window, and the image layer was changed to multiply, so that the white of the paper became transparent.
Following this, with the pen tool we drew the shape of the desired object over the top, as smooth as possible, and with as little points as possible. But we had to keep the path open, but the last point had to be as close to the first point, as possible in order to give the best effect.
With this path still selected, we went back to the effects menus, then generate then stroke, selecting all masks and the stroke sequentially in the options. Then we changed the stroke size, in order to cover the original shape. Then in the layer properties in the timeline menu to bring in the fade. Clicking the stopwatch in the opacity, when the playback head was at the right time on the timeline, and setting the opacity to 0%. Then when we wanted the drawing effect to stop, change the opacity to 100%. The final step of adding this effect was to change the paint style to, reveal original image.
Our next stage was to create new vector artwork for the background in Illustrator. I wanted to keep mine simple so I just drew some circles with a basic colour palette or green, red, blue and pink - match the colour of the buttons on the Playstation controller. Once we saved this we just copy and pasted it into After Effects.
Once this was done, we had to open out the layer and press the button that resembles a play button on a circular background. Once we pressed this we selected wiggle paths. Then we changed the wiggles per second to match the project frame rate of 12 fps, then we had a play about with some of the other settings to suit our personal preferences. I also then went on to change the blending options of the cirlces to overlay (I think) to give a more muted appearance.
Then we followed the usual procedure in order to save and export the video.
Triangle Circle X Square from Matt McGough on Vimeo.
