Get Me Started with Adobe After Effects - Compositing

Digby Hogan

Get Me Started with Adobe After Effects - Compositing

Digby Hogan
5
1h 35m
17 modules (view curriculum)

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  • Total Time:

    1h 35m

Description

Ready to turn your video edits from “meh” to movie magic? Whether you’re a curious beginner, a seasoned editor looking to level up, or someone who just wants to finally understand what the hell a “pre-comp” is - this course is your fast-track into the world of VFX & compositing inside Adobe After Effects.

Across 17 tightly-packed, caffeine-fueled lessons (runtime: 1h 32m), you’ll learn how to:

● Remove green screens like a pro using Keylight 1.2

● Add skies, flares, motion, and scene elements that actually look real

● Organize projects so clean your future self will want to high-five you

● Use tracking, masking, and clean-up tools to fix what clients “forgot to mention”

● Export your work confidently — without the heartbreak of a washed-out render

By the end of this course, you won’t just know where the buttons are, you’ll have built real industry-standard compositing shots from scratch. The entire series is practical, fast-paced, and designed to build your confidence without overwhelming you.

So if you’re ready to stop Googling your way through After Effects and start creating work you’re proud to show off, this is your launchpad. See you in the classroom!

Modules

Course Overview

02m

Welcome to Get Me Started in After Effects – Compositing! In this energetic intro, Digby sets the tone for the course with a mix of charm and practical insight. He explains the key outcomes - green screen replacement, sky adjustments, and simple clean-up techniques - and who this course is for (spoiler: editors, creators, and curious minds). Expect a hands-on, beginner-friendly journey with a splash of humor and a solid coffee addiction.

Welcome to After Effects

03m

Haven’t opened After Effects before? No stress. This lesson walks you through downloading the program, setting up your workspace, and understanding the default panels - like where your assets live, how previews work, and where all the effects are hiding. Plus, Digby throws in a few sarcastic zingers about Adobe ownership and brewing real coffee. Strong start, no extras needed.

Setting Up Your Project

02m

In this foundational lesson, we explore how to keep your project tidy like a pro. You’ll set up folders for your Assets, Master Comps, Pre-Comps and learn the logic behind them. Bonus tip: use a special character at the front of your folder name to keep it at the top of the list. Staying organized now saves future-you from a digital meltdown.

Importing Your Files

04m

Let’s bring in the goods. You’ll learn how to import your media (footage, clouds, skies), organize it into folders, and get a sneak peek at the assets - including a green screen shot of a teddy bear in a helicopter (yes, really). This lesson reinforces smart importing habits and sets up everything for your upcoming compositing work.

Sourcing Your Assets

01m

Before diving into effects, this lesson has you break down your shot and make an asset shopping list - backgrounds, skies, clouds, and whatever else your creative vision needs. You’ll also explore ways to source those elements: from your own DSLR to the glorious depths of Google (just make sure it’s high res!). Think of this as pre-production for your visual magic.

Removing the Green (Green Screen)

11m

Time to roll up your sleeves. In this detailed walkthrough, you’ll learn how to key out your green screen footage using Keylight 1.2. Digby covers everything from selecting the right green, refining your matte, color correction, and finessing spill suppression. It’s practical, real-world stuff - and if you follow along, you’ll have a clean, pro-level key by the end.

Quick Tip – Filming with Green Screen

02m

Before you shoot, know this: the key to a clean key starts on set. This quick tip dives into lighting, camera setup, and background separation for filming green screen the right way. Digby shares simple tricks to save you hours in post - like keeping distance between your subject and backdrop, and avoiding spill. Future-you will thank you.

Adding in the Background

05m

Now that your subject is keyed out, it’s time to drop in the background. This lesson shows how to integrate your new sky or setting into the comp, paying attention to light, blur, and scaling to make it believable. You’ll also get a look at color grading for harmony between layers. Think of it as moving from “looks fake” to “that’s sick."

Adding Camera Motion

07m

Static shots? Never heard of her. This lesson introduces faux camera movement to your comp, using position keyframes and easing for a natural handheld look. Digby explains how to make your scene feel more dynamic and realistic, even if the footage was shot locked-off. Bonus: tips on timing, scale adjustments, and when to use anchor point tricks.

Adding Scene Elements

10m

Let’s take it up a notch. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to add foreground elements like clouds and flares to your scene for depth and realism. It’s all about layering: motion blur, opacity changes, and thoughtful placement help sell the illusion. Digby also touches on visual storytelling - giving your composite that extra cinematic flair.

Adding a Lens Flare

04m

Bring on the Hollywood sparkle. In this short but satisfying lesson, Digby walks you through adding a lens flare that feels intentional, not cheesy. You’ll learn how to blend flares with existing light sources and motion to enhance realism and depth. Consider this your permission to make things look epic - just don’t overdo it.

Green Screen Conclusion

01m

Wrapping up the green screen section, this lesson ties together everything you’ve learned - from keying and compositing to motion and environmental integration. Digby recaps the core principles and offers encouragement for your future VFX journeys. If you’ve made it this far, congrats - you’ve got the chops to start building your own After Effects worlds.

Camera Tracking an Object

13m

Get ready to level up. This lesson dives into camera tracking, letting you anchor graphics or footage to moving objects in your scene. Digby shows how to track, attach, and refine your elements so they stay locked-in and believable. Perfect for adding signs, screens, or anything else you want to feel grounded in your shot.

Quick Tip – Using the Mask Tool

05m

Masking: small tool, massive power. In this quick tip, Digby introduces the mask tool - your new best friend for isolating, hiding, or cutting out elements with finesse. Learn how to draw, feather, and animate masks for creative control and ultra-clean composites. Fast, flexible, and fun.

Footage Clean-Up

13m

Bad pixels, boom mics, or unwanted junk in the frame? No problem. This lesson covers simple paint-out and clone-stamping techniques to tidy up your footage. Whether it’s a distracting edge or a rogue logo, Digby shows how to make it disappear like it was never there. One of the most satisfying fixes in the VFX toolbox.

Exporting Your Work

02m

You’ve done the work - now let’s get it out the door. This lesson guides you through the export process in After Effects using the Render Queue and Media Encoder. Digby explains format choices, codec options, and how to avoid that dreaded washed-out render. Your masterpiece deserves a proper send-off, and this is how you give it one.

Course Conclusion

01m

That’s a wrap! Digby winds down the course with a heartfelt thank you, a recap of what you’ve achieved, and encouragement to keep exploring the power of compositing. You’re no longer just an After Effects dabbler - you’ve officially got tools, tricks, and confidence under your belt. Take what you’ve learned and go make something awesome.

About the Educator

Digby Hogan

Senior Editor, Co-founder of The Empire Post

3 Courses

Meet your instructor Digby Hogan, Co-Founder and Senior Editor of The Empire Post. With an incredibly strong work ethic and a love for all things film making, Digby has been working in Film & TV since his late teens.

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