| Apple Motion Review at Creative COW |

Article Focus: In this review, CreativeCOW leader Zak Peric looks into Stephen Smith's Moving With Motion Master Series DVD. See what he has to say about this Instructional DVD for Apple Motion 3 and 4. |
I have been fortunate enough to get the newest
Creative Cow Master Series Instructional Apple Motion Video Tutorial DVD (Moving With Motion) created by
Stephen Smith.
Moving With Motion is a fully loaded DVD with Instructional video tutorials looking into creative techniques and capabilities of Apple Motion 3 and 4 alike.
When I opened the first page --
Start_Here.html -- I was pleasantly surprised to see that the content is cleverly divided into chapters enabling the user to quickly browse and open individual video tutorials. Each of the chapters was labelled with its length as well as what will be covered in each chapter.
Chapters on DVD are as follows:
Chapter 1: Design Concepts (9:12)
Chapter 2: Getting Started (7:55)
Chapter 3.1: Behaviours (16:52)
Chapter 3.2: Behaviours, Logo Animation (26:13)

Chapter 3.2: Behaviours, Logo Animation - Sample
Chapter 4: Content (8:16)
Chapter 5: Retiming (21:29)
Chapter 6: Motion Tracking (18:48)

Chapter 6: Motion Tracking - Sample
Chapter 7: Shapes, Masks, and Track Points (30:34)

Chapter 7: Using Track Points - Sample
Chapter 8.1: Paint (16:12)

Chapter 8.1: Create a Logo Animation - Sample
Chapter 8.2: Paint - Write on Behaviour (20:23)

Chapter 8.2: Paint Write on Behaviour - Sample
Chapter 8.3: Paint - Writing on Objects Created Outside of Motion (14:39)

Chapter 8.3: Writing on Objects Created Outside of Motion - Sample
Chapter 9.1: Particles for Motion 3 (23:25)

Chapter 9.1: Particles for Motion 3 - Sample
Chapter 9.2: Particles for Motion 4 (29:12)

Chapter 9.1: Particles for Motion 4 - Sample
Chapter 10.1: Camera for Motion 3 (24:34)
Chapter 10.2: Camera for Motion 4 (33:45)
Chapter 11: Lights (9:28)
Chapter 12.1: Camera and Lights in a Real World Project, for Motion 3 (31:03)
Chapter 12.2: Camera and Lights in a Real World Project, for Motion 4 (36:25)

Chapter 12: Camera and Lights
Each chapter deals with different aspects of motion graphics/animating and compositing with Apple Motion 3 and 4. Wherever possible I found that Stephen went out of his way to demonstrate a difference between Apple Motion 3 and Apple Motion 4. Consequently, some of the chapters are done twice showing how to composite and animate in both versions of Apple Motion. I have to say that Stephen spent a lot of time to create what I think is a must have Instructional DVD for Apple Motion.
Stephen's approach to this DVD lies in his ability to keep us engaged from the start in a witty but to the point manner of delivering each of the video tutorials.
Even more intriguing was that Stephen placed as much emphasis on creativity (which is something that a lot of instructional DVD are lacking) as much as he has on teaching us the techniques of Apple Motion. I do not consider my self a novice to Apple Motion, nor I am all knowing about Apple Motion. I simply believe that different people have different approaches to producing motion graphics and animations. What I mean by this is that I have learned quite a few new tricks and tips by watching this DVD. I watched the chapters in order as is suggested on the DVD. This actually helped me build assets and animations I needed later on when putting projects together. I think if you are someone who is a novice to Apple Motion you will not find yourself out of depth in following Stephen's instructions to build amazing projects.
Stephen's approach to spending his first chapter on teaching people about colour and colour theories is something I wholeheartedly endorse. My belief is that using colour and understanding how to use colour is as important as knowing all the techniques and tricks within Apple Motion.
This DVD is packed with excellent tutorials that you will find relate very much to your day-to-day working with Apple Motion. Not only that, you will also learn how to use behaviours, particles, paint, tracking, camera moves, lights, masking, key-framing, retiming, tracking points and more. What you will learn is far more than a series of instructions; you will learn to become a better motion graphic/animation artist.
If you are interested in creating visually stunning animations and in the process you are interested in using Apple Motion like a pro than this is surely a DVD for you.Just for your info, assets needed to build your projects together with Stephen are included with Moving With Motion.
I love this DVD, I love its simplicity and Stephen's ability to put his point across to those who are just beginning to use Apple Motion, as much to those who consider themselves pro users of Apple Motion.
People -- buy it, watch it, do it, then come back to
my site and show me what wonderful motion graphics/animations you have created.
Purchase the "MOVING WITH MOTION" DVD here.| Related Articles / Tutorials: |
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Apple Motion
On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion: The Replicator Part 1 Play Video 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.
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On the Fast Track with Apple's Motion 5 Chapter 1.7: Sharing Play Video 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.
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