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After Effects class, stupid ?

S

Soura2112

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 26, 2008
345
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I plan to take a class this fall to help me learn after effects (though well see what all comes out with FCX) though having AE on my resume looks good for video jobs. Since I can't control what computers companies use, wish they were all apple so I can work faster, been awhile since I used Windows for anything creative.

I'm not sure if the local JC uses Macs or Windows, I hope macs so I could bring my work home if I love AE and buy it. That said to those in the field is their any huge differences between Windows and Mac AE? I would think not, just checking. While practicing with some tutorials online from windows AE to my trial of AE. I'm doing something wrong, though I'm following each step perfectly, but it's not working correctly, granted I'm using CS5 and the tutorial is CS3. AE is driving me nuts, and I pick up programs very well, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, why I need to take a class besides for my resume.
 
AE is a powerful tool, and with that, comes a bit of a learning curve. I've always been a self-teacher, and through a few weeks, I was pretty good with it. Scripting is the big hump, I'm still working with it, but I was able to do it myself.

BUT, when I attempt to introduce AE to many of my fellow creative types, they are utterly confused and hopeless. Do not feel dumb for taking a class. You will be a better editor for it.
 
I'm unemployed, been using Ae for a month, and almost mastered it. Trust me, if someone with NO qualifications can do it, you definitely ought to try!

I wish you all the best :)
 
Soura2112 said:
I plan to take a class this fall to help me learn after effects (though well see what all comes out with FCX) though having AE on my resume looks good for video jobs....

AE is driving me nuts, and I pick up programs very well, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, why I need to take a class besides for my resume.
Click to expand...

After Effects is such a robust and huge program, it takes YEARS to master everything it does. I've been working on it for about a year, took a Master Class at Future Media Concepts in New York City, and am also working through FXPHD, and I feel like I've still only scratched the surface.

The questions I would ask is, why do you want to learn After Effects? If you're just going to put it on your resume, that's probably not enough reason to keep you learning. Find a project or two and just have fun. You'll learn all the ins and outs of those particular needs, whether it be greenscreening, special effects, motion graphics, or whatever.

I would HIGHLY recommend FXPHD. This is my first semester with them, and for less than $400, you can choose your own classes with awesome FX people from around the globe. You get great classes, great and responsive teachers to EVERY problem I've had, and they really care about their people. I'm not sure if you get a referral discount, honestly I don't remember, but you can use my username there "lesreaper" if it helps.

Good luck with everything.
 
All the above

I don't want to learn it just for my resume, I have an interest in the everything the program can do. The main reason is for jobs in media, and I'm good with editing software and some other programs just not After Effects which is asked of a lot, such as working at a news station, just an example.

Though I have my own small video editing/ media business and I know how much After Effects would help my work and websites. I doubt I will need to learn it all, but I want everything to look as professional as possible.
Not to mention all this creative computer work has been a passion since 2004-2005ish.

Hopefully the class will teach me the basics, then I can learn the rest like I did with FCP. Just wish I was taking more classes to get the student version, price is the only downside.
 
Soura2112 said:
I don't want to learn it just for my resume, I have an interest in the everything the program can do. The main reason is for jobs in media, and I'm good with editing software and some other programs just not After Effects which is asked of a lot, such as working at a news station, just an example.

Hopefully the class will teach me the basics, then I can learn the rest like I did with FCP. Just wish I was taking more classes to get the student version, price is the only downside.
Click to expand...

That's a good enough reason I think. If the class is free, can't hurt.

Still, FXPHD has really changed how I handle AE, and I'm also picking up Cinema4D for broadcasting, advanced Premiere Pro work, and how the FX business works. It's a steal at the price. Next semester starts July 1st.
 
I'd personally go with a class or two, self taught is fine though from experience self taught peoples once in a production environment can be a wild card due to the fact the way they generally learn isn't always as structured as a class based program.

With class based learning I've found it more practical and easier for a student to either find work or fit into a production environment. This generally is because self taught people wont work through the hard stuff because they cannot reference a teacher for a work through or answer.

@glossywhite the ironic post made me chuckle ;)
 
Not free

The class is not free, but it's at my local JC. it's a beginners night class which is great for me incase a 9-5 job pops up. The JC is not considered much of a tech school, so it will most likely be the basic. I agree on learning correctly, or at least starting correctly so you organize well.
There was not many other night classes that fall into the media area, except programs I already know, and I don't plan on spending 2 years there nor any other way for me to get the student version of AE. But maybe a few good jobs will come by allowing me to save for AE.
 
bs-2010 said:
Start doing the tutorials at the videocopilot website. They are super useful
Click to expand...

Video co-pilot is awesome. However, I tried that for awhile, and in a vacuum, it's tough to learn the software that way.

Video co-pilot is great if you need a one-off, like you see something cool for a project and want to learn how to do it. But to actually learn a piece of software, I know many people like myself need a guide to walk us through a lot of the first bunch of steps and get some formal training.

Most production houses agree with me, in the that people who teach themselves are considered wild cards in the hiring process because they all will have some kind of weakness. Usually that comes from doing things like tutorials and not understanding why they've done certain things. It makes them less able to solve problems.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.
 
Agree

Agree les. I want to learn the correct way. Plus without the distraction of my old days in college I'm not also taking classes to get my degree in Comm. So it would be great to focus on just what I want to learn. Such as writing my thesis hurt the amount of time spent in my media class, I got an A, but I could have learned even more.
My bad news is my local JC class is for AE is "closed" I hope I can talk my way into the only AE class, or like in my old college days people don't show. Sadly the night class was cancelled too. No clue if I will find a real job by then to take the day class, no other JC even offers AE. Or maybe be an assitant to another class for the teacher, for photoshop or or something, anyway to get in.
At least I got in the editing class. I know FC, im guessing their most likely using FC7, doesn't say. I moved on to FCX. My last FC class was in 2004, and I have konda created my own style in certain areas and picked up the pace on my own, so I want to go back and learn the proper way if I work for an editing company. Thankfully there is not much to learn in this class, just a few areas where I should change my style to the industry style.
I'm still looking for ways to take a AE class for the reasons you mentioned, a tech school could be the way, but I'm trying to keep the expense down, since I only want to learn AE at the moment. I'm going through jobs, and in my area, AE is basically the only thing I'm missing on my resume.
Guess my local JC is having cutbacks, typically if a class is full like that they open another....sucks.
 
I'm currently an architecture student but was somehow able to snag a job on campus doing AE animations. I'd never used it before in my life but after 2 weeks it was easy as pie. We use windows at work but I take stuff home with me sometimes on my mac and there isn't really a difference at all. The files work seamlessly between the two. Good luck!
 
lesreaper2009 said:
Video co-pilot is awesome. However, I tried that for awhile, and in a vacuum, it's tough to learn the software that way.

Video co-pilot is great if you need a one-off, like you see something cool for a project and want to learn how to do it. But to actually learn a piece of software, I know many people like myself need a guide to walk us through a lot of the first bunch of steps and get some formal training.

Most production houses agree with me, in the that people who teach themselves are considered wild cards in the hiring process because they all will have some kind of weakness. Usually that comes from doing things like tutorials and not understanding why they've done certain things. It makes them less able to solve problems.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

That's true. I do believe that it is a good way to get to know the AE UI a bit better however.
 
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