In this Adobe After Effects walkthrough tutorial we look at some key 3D techniques including seamless scene creation, 3 point lighting, shadows and reflections. I also demonstrate how Digital Juice’s Color Rules plug-in can be used to fast track the colorisation of your comps.

Special Deal for Motionworks Readers

Color rules is 69.95 but for a limited time Motionworks readers can get it for just 59.95. Use the code DJCRMC392 on checkout.

Watch Tutorial (mp4)  | Download Project

Lately I’ve been using one After Effects colour grading plug-in more than most, and that’s Magic Bullet Mojo. Mojo is an easy-to-use plug-in from Red Giant Software, for giving footage the modern blockbuster look seen in films such as Saving Private Ryan, Transformers and Resident Evil.

Mojo includes a number of presets for popular action film looks which are great alone or as a starting point. But not all shots need heavy treatment and I love how just a touch of Mojo can make almost anything I’m working on pop and appear more filmic.

These are some recent projects by myself and team member Brett, that received the Mojo treatment:

And these are some terrific before and after shots supplied by friends of Motionworks:

Pierre Magnol (gkaster)

Jim Campbell

Oscar Beckmann

Mojo is available stand alone and as part of the terrific Magic Bullet Suite which also includes  Colorista 2, Looks, Denoiser, Frames, PhotoLooks, Instant HD and Grinder. Both Colorista 2 and Looks are powerhouse color grading tools and a valuable part of our toolset at Foxtel Box Office.

Often I’ll do an initial grade using Colorista 2 or Looks and add a touch of Mojo to finish. It really is the spice that adds that little extra to our looks. Using Mojo on an After Effects adjustment layer (above your other layers) is a great way to give your composites an integrated, finished look. Try adjusting the adjustment layer opacity and experimenting with blend modes for even more creative results. For a 10% discount on Mojo use the code “motionworks10″ .

Red Giant Software has released Colorista 2, with some exciting new features and improvements. Use motionworks10 for a 1o% discount.

Stu Maschwitz has a brand new tutorial showing the ins and outs of Mojo. One cool tool! For a 10% discount use the code “motionworks10″.

AEtutsplus has a nifty script by Mathias Mohl, that allows you to link Adobe Kuler themes (and other .ase files) to your Adobe After Effects layers.

Convert your footage from 8bpc to 32bpc with this free plug-in for After Effect from Maltaannon.

Watching the spot you’ll notice that some shots have been rotoscoped and some haven’t. We decided to roto key shots and leave the more complicated shots in the background, and did so for two reasons: it saved a lot of time and cutting all the shots out would have removed much of the character and charm, leaving the whole thing kind of sterile. Notice how the rotoscoped shots have been used either side of the other shots to hide their edges. I always feel with this type of animation that you are taking the viewer on a journey, which must appear seamless, otherwise it upsets the flow. 

As usual for Fox Classics the color palette had to be orange, black and white. I used a range of effects to get the poster-style look and adjusted each shot individually to get a uniform look and feel across the entire spot.  Watch movie

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