I wanted to make a short video introduction on the splash page for DaveCurlee.com. I decided that this should also be a short sample of compositing work I can do. I took one of the photos I took while in Chicago last fall and wanted to have DaveCurlee.com fly in between the buildings. To accomplish this I:

• - Used Photoshop to separate the front buildings and elements from the back buildings and elements.
• - Extended the buildings and elements on the back layer to provide visual information for any panning or 3D camera movements in After Effects.
• - Imported the Photoshop layers in to After Effects and added to the comp, making them 3d layers.
• - Added the text layer and made it a 3d layer.
• - Placed a camera in the comp.
• - Adjusted the back and front layers of the photo on the Z axis so as to create some depth.
• - Slightly blurred the back layer to provide a sense of field depth.
• - Positioned the title layer between the front and back photo layers, adjusting for the perspective in the actual photos.
• - Animated the logo flying between the photo layers.
• - Created a shadow to be cast on the title when it passes behind the front layer so as to mimic the shadow on the building in the back.
• - Animated the camera panning from left to right and zooming in slightly.
• - Rendered and exported the comp and imported into Final Cut Pro.
• - Added the final title using Live Type.
• - Added the ambient downtown street audio.

 

 DaveCurlee.com Animated Intro: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download