The Bullet
Training from Andrew Kramer

Many After Effects users may be more familiar with the title "videocopilot" than his real name, Andrew Kramer. However, Andrew has been creating tutorials  and has been featured on several sites, including his own -- videocopilot.net. In addition to many of the tutorials that you can find online, Andrew also has premium tutorials that you can purchase directly from his site.

These tutorials are an examination of a specific task, effect, or scene compilation which have been broken down into multiple sections all on one DVD. Similar to the style that you'd find online, the tutorials are a swf  based movie player format, with chapters broken into an easy-to-read HTML overview page.

While this is primarily an after effects training DVD,  "The Bullet" also includes narration about General setup rules for workflow, important tips about using proxy material, and, perhaps more importantly, instructions for using 3-D software in order to create the props -- in this case a bullet -- to complete your After Effects composition.

The training does focus on After Effects, and the processes necessary for compositing the element into the visual effects shot. However, this is also an excellent resource for getting a glimpse of the three 3-D applications he uses to accomplish making the fake bullet. In the training, Andrew goes over the steps necessary to complete the manufacturing of the 3-D element in Autodesk's 3DStudio MAX, MAXON'S CINEMA 4D, and Blender.  While MAX and C4D are professional industry standards, Andrew's walkthru, showing how Blender (a free, open source application) can create a similar bullet will allow hobby filmmakers the chance to start production of 3D props.

This is postproduction training, specifically designed for the compositor, and has a very easy to follow tempo, even for beginners.

If you've been to videocopilot.net, and you've enjoyed the great free tutorials there, you'll definitely want to take your skills to the next level, by picking up the premium training DVD -- "The Bullet".

www.videocopilot.net