milg5
March 7, 2010 by John Dickinson  | 1,038 views | Comments (6)

Do you ever find yourself suffering the effects of overwork – even doing what you love? This episode takes a frank and honest look at the damage working crazy hours can do to your business – and your life – and how to handle it.

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For free 1-minute business tips with Robin Dickinson, watch BLACK CHAIR Business
Mentoring TV

February 28, 2010 by John Dickinson  | 365 views | Comments (3)

It’s been a while coming but here is my review of the final entries to the recent Unplugged challenge. Thanks again to all entrants for putting in a big effort. Watch Review

February 11, 2010 by John Dickinson  | 1,416 views | Comments (17)

This promo for our brand new MILG7: MoGraph Unleashed video training, was created using Cinema 4D and After Effects. The Out Now text bounces using MoGraph 2.0 MoDynamics, the sky was added in After Effects using Trapcode Horizon, and the colour grade was created using a combination of Magic Bullet Looks and Mojo. For a 10% discount on Horizon, Looks or Mojo enter “motionworks10″ on checkout!  Watch Movie

February 8, 2010 by John Dickinson  | 2,065 views | Comments (8)

It will come as no surprise to Motionworks regulars that I’m a big fan of Brian Maffitt. Brian is a veteran trainer and someone that I have aspired to while developing my own presentation style. The foundations of my After Effects knowledge were built watching Brian’s Total After Effects series. Read more…

January 10, 2010 by John Dickinson  | 1,934 views | Comments (21)

MILG 7 Mograph Unleased with Tim Clapham is coming. Teaser 1 – Dynamics

January 7, 2010 by Brett Morris  | 1,852 views | Comments (15)

Hollywood Camera Work’s Visual Effects for Directors training series is an invaluable resource for both visual effects and motion graphics artists. The 7 DVD set includes over 11 hours of video with more than 1000 examples. Calm, clear and informative narration make this training a joy to watch, and easier to absorb the wealth of information. Read more…

December 29, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 222 views | Comments (4)

Due to popular demand we now have a simple forum on Motionworks. The purpose of this forum is to give us a place to discuss Motionworks products, tutorials and posts separate from post comments. This is the first of a number of updates you’ll be seeing on Motionworks in the new year. Best wishes, John.

December 27, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 418 views | Comments (4)

In this Unplugged challenge review we look a the work of Hussin Kahn, Joshua Timmer, Jens Arnold, Hakan Acarel, David Kopidlansky and Laura Daniels.

Watch movie (11min, 25MB)

December 19, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 471 views | Comments (25)

In this Unplugged challenge review we look a the work of Marc Leonard, Fabian Van Der Meer, Sarffi Tamas, Daniel Thurau and Denis St-Pierre.

Watch movie (12min, 31MB)

December 18, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 2,144 views | Comments (30)

For many years Knoll Light Factory Pro (KLF) has been the go-to tool for lens flares for Adobe After Effects (and other applications). I’m a big fan and have used and relied on it for dozens of projects. Just recently Video Copilot announced that a new kid is moving into the neighbourhood. Well I’m here to tell you, that kid is one big dude, Read more…

December 15, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 434 views | Comments (7)

In this Unplugged challenge review we look a the work of Israel Long, Renzo Reyes, Robert Bojor, Mark Shingleton, Alexander Massey and David Gugel

Watch movie (9min, 24MB)

December 12, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 683 views | Comments (8)

Over the next few weeks I will be reviewing each and every entry to the Unplugged challenge. These will be short critiques where I will discuss what I believe are the strengths and areas for improvement. If any entrant would like to discuss their entry in more detail don’t hesitate to contact me. This time we look a the work of Hugo Goudswaard, David Kwasnik, Read more…

December 12, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 1,115 views | Comments (39)

Everyone who took the time and made an effort to display their work in this challenge is a winner. Choosing from the top 10 was not easy and after much deliberation we have decided to use Robert Leger’s entry as the title sequence for Unplugged. Robert based his animation on the existing style and colour palette and reworked it into a fun and stylish sequence. I’m looking forward to discussing the animation with Robert during his Unplugged interview. To all other entrants, once again thank you, and look out for my video review of your entries.

December 7, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 1,834 views | Comments (80)

A big congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered the Unplugged title challenge. You all made a huge effort and deserve praise for having the courage to showcase your skills, no matter what your skill level. If you’d like to discuss your entry feel free to contact me. Read more…

December 5, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 514 views | Comments (10)

Here are some more great entries for the Unplugged title challenge. Tomorrow is the final day to get your entry in so you’d better hurry, the winner will be announced very soon. Read more…

December 2, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 795 views | Comments (11)

More great entries to the Unplugged challenge. Entries will be closing on December 5 so if you’ve got one, be sure to send it in. Read more…

December 1, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 659 views | Comments (10)

Here’s another great list of entries to the Unplugged challenge. If you haven’t gotten your entry in you’d better hurry, entries will close in a few days. Well done to everyone who has entered so far. Read more…

November 30, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 853 views | Comments (10)

Entries for the challenge are still rolling in. Thanks to everyone so far for your fantastic efforts, it’s terrific to see such a range of styles from around the world. Entries are due by December 1st but if you need a few more days that’s okay too, just let me know. Read more…

November 29, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 815 views | Comments (15)

Here are some more great entries. Click the images below to watch the movies, and remember to get your entry in by December 1st for the chance to have your work featured in Unplugged and tell the world about yourself on the show! Thanks for all of your hard works so far everyone. Read more…

November 24, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 1,355 views | Comments (19)

The first of the Unplugged Titles challenge entries have begun to trickle in. Click the images below to watch the movies, and remember to get your entry in by December 1st for the chance to have your work featured in Unplugged and tell the world about yourself on the show! Great work so far guys! Read more…

November 10, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 420 views | Comments (4)

Trish Meyer has granted Motionworks permission to post the Story of CoSA – the original company behind After Effects. Written by After Effects team member, Dave Simons, and originally published in Creating Motion Graphics Volume 3, it gives a wonderful insight into the early days of After Effects and the team behind it. Download PDF SFMoGraph Pics

November 7, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 3,523 views | Comments (26)

Affordable action stock footage that will blow you away

Released in early 2009, Action Essentials 2 replaced the earlier Action Essentials stock footage product, and has been a huge success for Video Copilot. Good stock footage is an important tool for the motion graphics and visual effects artist, and I’ve certainly found myself reaching for the DVDs to source elements for a variety of projects.  Read more…

September 10, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 2,031 views | Comments (8)

A massive toolkit that’s pretty good value

Shipping on a whopping 28 disks, the Compositor’s Toolkit from Digital Juice includes over 250, 2K resolution organic stock clips. With 15 categories including Clouds, Water, Ink Chamber, Breaking Glass and Paint Splashes, this series will appeal to both motionographers and visual fx artists. Read more…

August 15, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 1,025 views | Comments (23)

The Never-ending tutorial chaseThis week I received an email from Max Bretherton titled “The Never-ending Tutorial Chase”. Max finds himself overwhelmed by the abundance of tutorials available on the web and asked the following questions:

How do you see these attractive and well devised ‘tutorial’ sites fitting into an artists work flow? Do they at all or are they just a detour – like watching a movie – that eats into valuable time? Or could we be wise and use them for the advancement of our own creative lives, work and knowledge? I struggle to find the best balance of watching great tutorials and getting work done.” Read more…

August 10, 2009 by John Dickinson  | 1,812 views | Comments (6)

Juicy toolkit surprises with variety – if the price is right

Up until recently I had discounted Digital Juice as a supplier of stock content for editors who needed a quick motion graphic background or sound file for a project. My limited view was that being a motion designer, I didn’t need their products and could create my own looks. Well, while there certainly are some stock products available on Digital Juice that I probably wouldn’t find a use for, I was surprised by what I discovered in the Motion Designer’s Toolkit. Read more…

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