FCP/FCE users, video background deal???

[dv_creation]

I have a general video editing question for those that use Final Cut Express (FCP and other applications users can chime in). I use a lot of titles/graphics over animated elements (backgrounds). I'm getting tired of making up generic still frames of filter combinations from photoshop and just cross fading between them. I'm just starting off in the whole video production circle. Editing on a tight budget, hence FCE and not FCP. So I don't have a lot of money to throw into background animations. The mostly expensive $$$ packages out there have really good material, but again pricey. There is a package that is a serious consideration, but i would like to know if 200 animated backgrounds for 199 dollars, is a good deal? Has anyone else used these products before? How is the quality of their animated loops? Here's the site that has the goods, http://www.atomic-fuel.com

Thanks

 

[Laslo Panaflex]

I guess those are nice if you like that sort of thing, to me they look over the top and would be too distracting for anything I would do. Plus, I usually make my own animated backgrounds, I have more control that way. I think that if you make your own right now, you should look into getting After Effects of combustion so you can make some pretty neat animated backgrounds of your own.

But for the price, that seems like a deal to me for 200 backgrounds, it will save you a lot of time making them, but the question is, how many of them are you going to use? Maybe you can buy them individually and only the ones you want to save money.

 

[evil_santa]

They do look like good value, I usualy have to make up backgrounds like this from scratch , which is time consuming. Recently i had to make up a matrix beckgrond for a promo. It took me quite a few hours, Their is one in this library that would have done fine & saved me a mornings work. That alone would have paid for the full set!

For you it come down to what type of work you do, are you editing as your job? or is it a hobby. If its a hobby you may have more time than money. if you are earing $$$ making videos for other people you will save your self time & and up your production values.

With image librarys i have used before, I have found that only 40%-50% of the clip are usefull, for example I could use the abstract clips quite easy , but would be unlikely to use the the ones with stars globes & flags. You will also get more use from the clips by applying a treatment such as color correct, blurs & textures.

hope this helps.

 

[jacg]

I got FCP at educational price and Livetype has quite a few textures and objects that can be used and modified to make backgrounds.

This information may not be massively useful if you're on a tight budget...