In this recording of a recent e-seminar, learn how to create a Sopranos–style text look, inspired by HBO. Main tools covered include Adobe After Effects and Zaxwerks ProAnimator.
Twitter Updates
The Foundry has released 3D Camera Tracker and Kronos, two exciting new plug-ins for Adobe After Effects.

Alexander of Amateurmedia.net has created a stylish new font named Typograph Pro. Also check some of the great usage examples created within Cinema 4D.

Red Giant Software has released Colorista 2, with some exciting new features and improvements. Use motionworks10 for a 1o% discount.
Fontfeed.com has an excellent column “Screenfonts” which discusses the use of fonts in movie posters.
Industrial Light and Magic has a new site. It’s quite amazing just how many productions ILM has been involved in.
Australian’s interested in buying or upgrading Cinema 4D this winter can get a sweet deal.
Urban Dirty has terrific free grunge stock images and also provides color themes for various images with a downloadable .ASE file. You can import the .ASE file into After Effects using Swatch You Want.
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40 Responses to this post
August 1, 2009 at 3:41 pm |
I’m looking forward JD. Always love it when you combine ProAnim & AE. Thanks in advance!! HK
August 8, 2009 at 4:45 pm |
WOW,
You are always surprising us with cool Tutorials.
Keep the good work
Thanks
August 11, 2009 at 10:48 am |
Yeahhhh Very Nice…GANGSTA…
August 13, 2009 at 7:08 pm |
Nice & clean
it will be amazing
good luck
September 2, 2009 at 5:42 am |
when is this tut coming????
September 2, 2009 at 3:45 pm |
Hi SRIHARI, welcome to Motionworks! Sorry this has been delayed for a while but I will get to it asap. All the best, John.
September 4, 2009 at 3:14 am |
Excellent work
Good luck John
September 4, 2009 at 4:07 am |
Thank you wesamnet. Regards, John.
September 8, 2009 at 1:48 am |
Hello John,
I’m sure it looks very nice and clean simple, cant wait to see it.
John i have question what kind of system do you have to make these graphic or future film, can you tell me the Processor, Ram, Mac or windows, graphic card.
Thank you very much
Wish you all the best and good luck
regards,
bashair
September 8, 2009 at 1:23 pm |
Hi bashair, I’ll be recording this a little later this year as part of a presentation I’m doing for Adobe. I use a mac pro 8 core with 16GB Ram. All the best, John.
September 13, 2009 at 10:02 am |
Hi, John!
Looks super and I´m anxiously awaiting the tut
//Klas
September 13, 2009 at 3:23 pm |
Hi Klas, it’ looks possible that this might turn into a 1 hour live (will be recorded) e-seminar for Adobe. I’ll keep you posted. Best, John.
September 13, 2009 at 11:16 pm |
Ok!
Good thing it gets recorded…I have a tendency to miss real-time events
BTW I´m delivering my first paid project today!! Thanks to you and many other generous people in the business. Inspiration and help from people like Aharon Rabinowitz, Andrew Kramer, Eran Stern, Lloyd Alvarez, Harry Frank, Maltaannon to name but a few has been invaluable.
So thank you for all the help!!
Kindly, Klas
September 14, 2009 at 4:23 pm |
Hi Klas, doing this for Adobe will mean a 1 hour tutorial rather than a 20 minute version, meaning I’ll be able to go into more detail
September 14, 2009 at 2:25 am |
Hai Mr.John Dickinson
How to be become Motion Graphic Designer!
I am sathish kumar for India (southeast), working as an accountant in a private concern. I very much interested in Computer Graphic, Animation, Painting, Photo etc, and I am well trained in Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Corel Rave.
Recently I come to know about Motion Graphic designing and the software related to that. It so interesting and very innovative. While browsing about the Motion Graphic I came to know about u thro this website. I became a big fan of ur design and graphics. So I am decide to become a Motive Graphic Designer like u.
For that kindly advice me about the subject , software to learn any course.
September 14, 2009 at 4:26 pm |
Hi Sathishkumar, I suggest studying Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator and a 3D application such as Cinema 4D. The key to getting work is to have a strong showreel of original work that demonstrates your technical and creative skills. Best of luck, John.
September 17, 2009 at 2:17 am |
hey John i love After Effects alot i dindn know we can do such projects by after Effects but when i saw Andrew`s and ur projects i decided to become like u one day (but i know i cant)
September 17, 2009 at 2:19 am |
Why can’t you moslem? All it takes is passion and dedication. You can be what ever you want to be! Best wishes, John.
September 17, 2009 at 3:04 am |
Of course you can Moslem!!
As John said, it takes passion and hard work.
But anything is doable. I promise!!
//Klas
September 27, 2009 at 1:06 pm |
i have been waiting for this tut, for months now. is it under development or what ?
September 27, 2009 at 1:14 pm |
Hi Darko, I’ll be presenting this tutorial as part of an Adobe online festival on October 27th. I’ll let everyone know more detail, but will be recording the presentation as well. Thanks for your patience and best wishes, John.
October 16, 2009 at 1:40 pm |
hey i saw that you wear going to be presenting this tutorial in a live 1 hour session that is going to be recorded, will you post it on the site later on? thanks in advance
October 16, 2009 at 3:31 pm |
Hi Random, yes I’ll be recording and posting this one for sure. Best, John.
October 27, 2009 at 12:27 pm |
Still waiting………….
October 27, 2009 at 2:55 pm |
me too what happen?
October 27, 2009 at 4:51 pm |
Hi Praveen and MGS, I recorded the tutorial yesterday. Look out for it in the next day or so! Best, John.
October 27, 2009 at 5:26 pm |
perfect,thenks john look for it
October 28, 2009 at 11:14 am |
Still waiting for ur tutorials… Urs Very good Same Like Andrew Kramer
October 28, 2009 at 2:57 pm |
Thanks, very kind of you to say so. Best, John.
October 28, 2009 at 3:51 pm |
Hey John,
Is there any kind of advantage to using the shape layers to generate your ramps over the effect or is it just a personal preference?
October 28, 2009 at 4:01 pm |
Hi Dave, great question! Ramp is a pretty old effect, with only 2 color options. Shape layers have true gradients with multiple colors and transparency options. They are also easier to manipulate as you saw when I grabbed the direction handle. Best, John.
October 30, 2009 at 2:31 pm |
Great tutorial as usual! Since I haven’t used this technique before with casting shadows onto a ProAnimator project from AE, I came across a problem that some other followers might also experience… really jaggy shadows. To change this, enter the ProAnimator interface and select the menu item: File->Preferences and set your ‘Shadow Quality’ to 4000. I believe the default is set to 500. Just wanted to pass on to anyone else that might have the same issue. Keep the tuts coming John. You Rock!
October 30, 2009 at 11:58 pm |
Thanks Ryan, I’ve had a few people ask me about that too. Best, John.
November 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm |
I am proud of your work John. You’re the BEST in the industry in my opinion.
November 11, 2009 at 2:25 pm |
Thanks Gerson, that’s kind of you. Best, John.
November 12, 2009 at 1:16 am |
Looks great! Keep up the good work John!
November 12, 2009 at 2:31 pm |
Thank you Wege.
April 27, 2010 at 10:46 pm |
Hi John,
Brilliant tutorial and I am learning a ton of new stuff from it (loving ProAnimator more and more! Such a powerful yet simple plug-in!) but this link seems to be broken. It was working grand end of last week tho?
Thanks again,
Andrew
April 28, 2010 at 9:19 am |
Hey Andrew,
I’m reworking the setup of Motionworks. That tutorial should pop up again soon. Best wishes, John.
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