| Meet Kevin P McAuliffe, CreativeCOW Contributing Editor
Creative COW Web Writer
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Kevin P McAuliffe
Toronto, Canada
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Kevin P McAuliffe is currently a freelance senior level video editor working in HD post production in Toronto, Canada. He has been in the television industry for 12 years, and cuts on Avid Media Composer 4 and Apple's Final Cut Pro 7. He also spends a chunk of his days in Adobe's After Effects, which he has been using since version 3.5 (yes, 3.5!). Kevin's high definition onlining credit list includes concerts for Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Snow Patrol, Sum41, Paul Anka, Il Divo and Pussycat Dolls, to name a few. Also, Kevin is an instructor of Advanced Final Cut Studio at the Toronto Film College. If you have any questions or comments, you can drop him a line at kevinpmcauliffe@gmail.com
You can find Kevin P McAuliffe hosting in Creative COW's and Apple FCPX Techniques Forum.
Articles by Kevin P McAuliffe | | | |
Apple FCPX Techniques
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Multicam Editing in Final Cut Pro X
In this tutorial, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you how, with the newest update to FCPX, to edit multicam inside of FCPX. See how to set up your clips into angles, and then quickly and easily edit them together to create a seamless edit in no time flat.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Create a Realistic 3D End Tag in Adobe After Effects
In this Boris video tutorial, Kevin P. McAuliffe creates an end tag with Boris Continuum Complete 8 AE's new Stage Light effect. BCC Stage Light lets you create volumetric lighting from any light that you add to your After Effects composition. What would normally take a high-end 3D application to create can now be done in minutes inside of AE!
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Stay Legal with Boris Continuum Complete 8 AE
Motion graphics designers have traditionally been at the mercy of video editors when it comes to making sure video levels in a shot are broadcast safe. Boris Continuum Complete 8 AE's new Videoscope tool changes the game. In this Boris TV episode, Kevin P. McAuliffe shows you how to ensure broadcast-legal colors of your final output or any individual element of your After Effects project. He then uses Boris Continuum Complete's 3-Way Color Grade and Safe Colors filters to fix a non-legal shot.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Motion
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On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion 5 Chapter 2 Lesson 1: The Replicator - Part 1
In the next Chapter of our ongoing "On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion 5" tutorial series, we are going to look at what goes into creating a 3D extruded animation in Motion 5 using only built in tools to create it. Kevin P McAuliffe will look at using the Replicator for creating the extrusions, he will also look at everything that goes into working with Cameras and Lights, as well as Behaviors that control them. In Lesson 1, part 1, we take a look at the basics of the Replicator, and how this fantastic tool (unique to Apple's Motion) is going to be one you will go back to over and over again.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Enhance Time-Lapse Shots with Boris Continuum Complete 8 AE
In this Boris TV episode, Kevin P. McAuliffe uses BCC 8 AE's new Stage Light filter to improve upon the original clip by making it appear as though beams of light are emanating from the car's headlights. He then turns to BCC's Film Process and Film Glow filters to add a stylized Michael Bay-style film look to the shot.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Motion
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On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion 5 Chapter 1 Lesson 7: Sharing
In our wrap up of Chapter 1, we learn that "Exporting" is a way of the past in Motion 5. Now, it's all about Sharing. Users of FCP7 will be familiar with Sharing, a great way to not only export your work, but do it in the background, so you can keep working. In this tutorial, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you how to "Share" your final product not only with FCP 7 and FCP X, but also with other NLE's as well.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple OS X
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OS X Lion Quick Tip - Locating Recently Used Files
In this quick tip, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you a great quick tip to locate recently used files on your hard drive. This quick tip also works for all you Snow Leopard users out there as well.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Motion
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On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion 5: Chapter 1 Lesson 5: Text Part One
In part one of the two part look at Text, Kevin P McAuliffe gives you an overview of all the great things that you can do with Text inside of Apple's Motion, as well as how to throw a few cool behaviors into the mix, to keep the "WOW" factor up, and the time it takes to create your animations down.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple OS X
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OS X Lion Quick Tip - Creating a Lion Boot Disc
With digital download becoming the norm for getting applications from Apple, downloading OS X Lion onto three machines that you own, and want to install it on, doesn't make sense, especially at 3.5 GB per download. With this quick tip, see how easy it is to create your own boot disc in about two minutes.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple OS X
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Quick Tip - Encoding Clips in OSX Lion
With Apple's new OS, there are many "hidden" features that aren't apparent at first glance. This first Lion quick tip is perfect anyone looking to take video file, and quickly stream it for an iPod, iPhone, iPad, or even for FCPX.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Motion
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On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion: 5 Chapter 1 Lesson 3: The HUD, Generators and Masking
In the next part at our introductory look at Apple's Motion 5, we take a look at a great "not so hidden" feature in Motion 5, and that's the Heads Up Display (HUD). We'll also talk about how Generators are going to help us create our Lower Third; then look at all the Masking options, and how we can mask our Generator to create our Lower Third. Again, Motion 4 users will get a great deal out of this training series as well.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Motion
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On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion 5: Chapter 1 Lesson 1: Getting Started
Apple's Motion is one of the best compositing applications on the market today, the problem is it is easily the most misunderstood as well. In the first chapter of our "Fast Track" with Apple's Motion 5, we're going to look at creating a lower third animation, that will give you all the basics you need to move onto more complex projects. In Lesson 1, Kevin P McAuliffe is going to walk you though launching the application, what you need to understand in the project window, and importing your footage to work with. Most of what you are going to learn in Chapter 1 can be applied to Motion 4 as well.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects basics
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Genarts Sapphire Edge
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Kevin McAuliffe's Review Series: GenArts Sapphire Edge
Color grading is something that editors do on a daily basis, and there are a few third party plug-in packs out there to address just this need. In this video review, Kevin P McAuliffe gives you an overview of GenArts new Sapphire Edge plug-in pack, and breaks down his likes and dislikes of this new entry into the Color Grading world.
Review, Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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The Best of Free - Video Copilot's Reflect
In the next "Best of Free" tutorial, Kevin P McAuliffe looks at a great free plug-in for Adobe's After Effects for both Mac and WIndows that will help you create reflections on your work in seconds, as opposed to minutes. This free plug-in is a must for any After Effects user, no matter what your skill level.
Review, Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe Photoshop
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The Best of Free - What the Font?
In this economy, you need to get the absolute best value for your dollar, and as the expression goes, sometimes you get what you pay for...but not in this case. What The Font? is a free web and iPhone resource to help you figure out what font someone is using in a video, print or any other medium, quickly, easily and free!
Review, Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Wanna Switch? - Lesson 6 - Outputting
To finish off our introductory look at Avid's Media Composer, Kevin P McAuliffe takes a look at outputting both to tape, and to a file. This way, whether you need to output your final show for a client, or get a file ready to work with in After Effects, you're going to be covered!
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Wanna Switch? - Lesson 5 - Effects & Titling
In this lesson, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you Media Composer's "Go To" effect, the 3D Warp, and how easy it is to create basic titles for your sequence. Then, to wrap it all up, he shows a great and often overlooked feature of the basic title tool, that will have you staying in your NLE to do most of your titling effects.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Wanna Switch? - Lesson 4 - Editing
In this lesson, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you the basics of editing, and throws in a few bells and whistles to help speed up your overall workflow.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Wanna Switch? - Lesson 3 - Bins and Project Organization
The focal point of your Media Composer project is your bins, and in this tutorial, Kevin P McAuliffe talks about bins, setting up different bin views, and the different layouts you can use to organize your footage.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Wanna Switch? - Lesson 2 - Digitizing & Importing
Every project starts with acquiring footage and in this tutorial, Kevin P McAuliffe looks at not only digitizing footage, but importing and the new Avid "AMA Link to" feature as well.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Wanna Switch? - Lesson 1 - Projects & User Settings
If you aren't happy with the direction that Apple has decided to go, and want to switch NLE's, this in-depth look at Avid's Media Composer is for you. Looking at FCP7 and Media Composer side by side, in lesson one, we start by looking at the differences between how projects are handled, and how to set up your user settings in Media Composer.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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Adobe After Effects Quick Tip - Placeholders
In this Quick Tip, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you that you don't need to worry about having every element you need to create your After Effects composition right from the start. Placeholders can take the place of elements that other departments might still be creating, and they help you stay on top of your deadline.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects basics
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After Effects From The Ground Up - Chapter 1 Lesson 5: Text
In many cases, the first time someone new to Motion Graphics opens Adobe's After Effects, it's to do something with text, and although it might be simple to put letters on the screen, you always find yourself needing to do more. In this lesson we look at text, and examine all the parameters in the "Character" tab, and even look at some presets that you might not have even realized were there.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects basics
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After Effects From The Ground Up - Chapter 1 Lesson 4: Masking
Another After Effects fundamental is Masking, but masking is something that in most training is quickly covered, and only shows you the absolute basics, and leaves you not only wanting, but needing more direction.. In this lesson, Kevin P McAuliffe covers not only the basics, but also some intermediate techniques as well, and shows how simple masks can create realistic, real-world situations to amaze your clients.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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After Effects Quick Tip - Set First Vertex
Have you ever wanted to change the point where an animated mask starts, or where something animating along a path begins? Don't settle for where After Effects wants to start it, tell it where to start by setting the first vertex.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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After Effects Quick Tip - Brainstorm
Have you ever been stuck coming up with an idea when working in After Effects? Ever had a picky producer, who has no idea what they want? Brainstorm is the perfect tool to use, to help get your creativity flowing, no matter what the situation.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX Techniques
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FCPX - Quick Tip -Working In The Timeline
When you are just starting out, navigating through your timeline in a new NLE can be tricky enough. Let these two Final Cut Pro X Quick Tips (also see Previewing Effects FCPX Quick Tips) help you speed up your workflow, so you're cuttin' like a pro in FCPX in no time flat.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX Techniques
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FCPX Quick Tip - Previewing Effects
Sometimes deciding on the right look for a shot can be time consuming. Adding effects, rendering, then deciding to check out another effect can take minutes, or even hours.....well, not in FCPX. You can quickly and easily preview effects before you even apply them with the instructions in this Final Cut Pro X video tutorial.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX - Final Cut Pro X
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FCPX - Kicking the Tires - Lesson 2
In Lesson 2 of this Final Cut Pro X video tutorial series, Kevin P McAuliffe takes a look at more importing features, and the most important part of FCPX.....editing clips in your timeline.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX Techniques
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FCPX Quick Tip - Making the Viewer work for you
This quick tip came from a viewer question about something that was seen in the Final Cut Pro X "Animating with Keyframes" tutorial. A mysterious red rectangle appeared, and of course the question was asked...."What does that red rectangle do in FCPX?" Well, here's the answer.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX - Final Cut Pro X
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FCPX Quick Tip - Taking projects on the go with you
One of the biggest concerns in FCPX is the ability to take projects with you on the go with you. Well, in this tutorial, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you that with a little forward thinking, taking Final Cut Pro X projects with you is no problem at all!
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX - Final Cut Pro X
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FCPX Quick Tip - The Ken Burns Effect
One of the most common effects that editors do on an almost daily basis is the "Ken Burns" effect. The panning and zooming of still images to create a powerful visual. Creating the effect in FCPX is quick and simple, and with this Final Cut Pro X video tutorial quick tip, Kevin P McAuliffe will have you creating it in no time.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX - Final Cut Pro X
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FCPX Quick Tip - Animating with Keyframes
Another big concern with FCPX is whether or not it's easy to work with Keyframes. In this Final Cut Pro X video tutorial, you will see that working with Keyframes is easier than it has ever been!
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple FCPX - Final Cut Pro X
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FCPX - Kicking the Tires - Lesson 1
In Lesson 1, Kevin P McAuliffe takes a look at the new FCPX and covers some of the basics you'll need to get you up and running from the download and installation of the Final Cut Pro X software - to your preferences - and finally to importing.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Avid Media Composer Quick Tip 4: Too Many Bins
Ever have the problem of opening a project, just to realize that hundreds of bins have been left open, and it takes forever for a project to open? Well, you'll never have that problem again with this great quick tip for AVID Media Composer.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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Quick Tip - After Effects - After Effects Mathematics
Do you wish there was an easy way to make quick mathematical adjustments to your parameter values inside of After Effects (i.e. - increase your scale by 3.78 times)? Well, believe it or not, there is. This Quick Tip will show you another great way to speed up your AE workflow.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects basics
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After Effects From The Ground Up: Chapter 1 Lesson 3
In this lesson of a continuing training series for AE, Kevin P. McAuliffe introduces the most important concept when using After Effects. Keyframing. Not only does he show the basics of keyframing, but he also gets in and shows come common techniques that are normally held back until more advanced tutorials. He also shows how to preview your composition to make sure you're happy with what you created before you render.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects basics
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After Effects From The Ground Up: Chapter 1 Lesson 2
In this second lesson of a complete training series for Adobe After Effects, we look at working with clips in your composition, as well as learning about clip based effects, and how you will build on these "basic" effects into more complex animations in AE.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Avid Media Composer Quick Tip 3 - Assigning Menu commands to buttons
In many cases, having to stop editing to find something in a drop down menu can be time consuming, and can break your work flow. In this Avid Media Composer Quick Tip, see how to quickly assign menu commands to buttons to help speed up your overall workflow.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Final Cut Pro
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FCP Quick Tip - Creating the ROCKY effect
Creating the "ROCKY" video inside text look in Final Cut Pro is almost as easy as it is to create inside of Avid's Media Composer, and there's no need to go into Apple's Motion to do it! Just use FCP.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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AVID Media Composer Quick Tip - Creating the Rocky effect
People immediately dismiss doing effects in Avid Media Composer, as they think that a compositing application can do a better job. Well, as you will see in this Quick Tip, Media Composer can create some very complex animations very quick, very easy, and in some cases, just as good as After Effects.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe Premiere Pro
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Premiere Pro CS5 Quick Tip - Auto-Creating Sequences
In this Adobe Premiere Pro Quick Tip, see how easy it is to create sequences based on the parameters of any clip in your project. A perfect tip for anyone who is given footage where the producer has no idea how it was shot.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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Adobe After Effects Quick Tip - Auto-Creating Compositions
When working in Adobe After Effects, you can get footage from just about anywhere, and in most cases, you don't have the time to figure out what the client gave you, as in most cases, they don't even know. This quick tip will show you how to match your composition to a clip in your project to get you animating in AE in no time flat.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Final Cut Pro
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FCP Quick Tip - Copy & Pasting Attributes
When editing, speed and accuracy are two things that make a great editor. In this FCP Quick Tip, copying effects from one shot to another might be "common knowledge", but what about having the ability to copy not only effects, but clip attributes as well, and being able to do it in a second. That's a trick that will amaze your clients every time.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Apple Final Cut Pro
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FCP Quick Tip - Importing Image Sequences
Are you stuck trying to figure out an easy way to import an image sequence into Final Cut Pro? In this quick tip for FCP, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you why QuickTime 7 will be your tool of choice for importing image sequences.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects
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Adobe After Effects Quick Tip - Importing Image Sequences
Importing is a way of life for After Effects users, but sometimes we end up taking the long road without even realizing it. In this Quick Tip, Kevin P McAuliffe shows you how to handle image sequences, so they are easier to work with in your AE projects.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Avid Media Composer Quick Tip 2 - Importing Image Sequences
Importing clips into Avid's Media Composer might seem straight forward, but what if a client has sent you a Targa sequence? Don't over think the import process, as importing Targa sequences is just as easy as regular clips.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Adobe After Effects basics
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After Effects From The Ground Up: Chapter 1 Lesson 1
This is the beginning of a complete training series for Adobe's After Effects. In Chapter 1, we cover the basics of learning how to create a lower third, but also build a foundation for new users to advance their skills quickly to move onto more intermediate projects.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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AVID
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Avid Media Composer Quick Tip 1 - Nesting Effects
Nesting effects in Avid's Media Composer is not as easy as it is in other applications, but with this quick tip, you'll be compositing in your favorite NLE in no time flat.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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BCC 7 Filters: Particle Array 3D
In this Boris FX video tutorial, Kevin uses the BCC Particle Array 3D filter to align 3D elements to create a organic animation with a bit of randomness.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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BCC FxPlug's Shaders Filters
Kevin P McAullife demonstrates Boris Continuum Complete FxPlug's Shaders filters and explains why Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, and Motion users are going to be excited about these real-time effects.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Boris FX Chroma Key Tools for Final Cut
Kevin P McAuliffe takes a look at Boris Continuum Complete's chroma key tools and demonstrates a hidden gem for Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Final Cut Express users.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Using BCC 7 AE's New 3 Way Color Grade Filter: 2
Kevin P. McAuliffe takes another look at Boris Continuum Complete 7 AE's new 3 Way Color Grade filter. BCC 3 Way Color Grade provides a professional color grading process complete with three custom color wheels for pedestal/gamma/gain adjustment. In part two of this video tutorial series, Kevin demonstrates the filter's built-in masking and keying tools.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Using BCC 7 AE's New 3 Way Color Grade Filter: 1
In this video tutorial, Kevin P. McAuliffe takes a look at Boris Continuum Complete 7 AE's new 3 Way Color Grade filter. BCC 3 Way Color Grade provides a professional color grading process complete with three custom color wheels for pedestal/gamma/gain adjustment. In part one of this video tutorial series, Kevin focuses on the basics of the filter. In part two, he will demonstrate the filter's built-in masking and keying tools.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Create Audio-driven Effects with BCC 7 AE's Beat Reactor Technology
In this video tutorial, Kevin P. McAuliffe takes a look at Boris Continuum Complete 7 AE's new Beat Reactor technology. Beat Reactor is a new BCC 7 AE filter that lets you sample specific bands of audio from a clip and uses the sampled audio levels to drive effect parameters. In addition to being available as a standalone BCC 7 AE filter, the new Beat Reactor technology has been added as a built-in feature for many other BCC 7 AE filters. Beat Reactor makes it easier to generate audio-driven effects such as adding a pulsing light, a glow, or even an image wipe that follows along with the beat of an audio track.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Using Boris Continuum Complete 7 AE's Noise Reduction Filter
In this video tutorial, Kevin P. McAuliffe takes a look at Boris Continuum Complete 7 AE's new Noise Reduction filter and Compare Mode feature. BCC Noise Reduction safely removes unwanted video noise and artifacts from image clips while preserving all of the detail contrast in the original image. BCC 7 AE's new Compare Mode feature allows you to compare the filtered result with the unfiltered source via either a side-by-side view or a live split-screen view.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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Boris FX
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Save the Shot by Removing Unwanted Objects
You have a perfect clip for the project. The scene is right, the weather is perfect, the camera move is nice, but there is a clearly-recognizable person walking across the street. And you do not have a release from that person or time to ask for one. Not to fear: you can still save the shot with Boris Continuum Complete's Motion Key tool.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial |
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