The more you work with motion graphics, the more you pick up tricks that help you work faster and better. We caught up with some of our top-selling After Effects artists to see what knowledge they could share.
Once you get your video to post, if you’ve gotten a few clean plates, you can split-screen your frame, add complex VFX, and even fix visual errors. Here are the best ways to maximize your plate acquisition, along with common use cases and techniques.
On the most basic level, a shot is meant to convey visual information to an audience so that, piece by piece, a larger story unfolds. But it can be much more — a way of creating meanings that go far beyond what we immediately see.
Music-making apps are often seen as toys or gimmicks, but there are some powerful ones that let you take a lot of the studio process on the road. Here are seven mobile apps any music maker should consider keeping in their pocket.
Consumers are immersed in a variety of scripted and unscripted political dramas. Political divisions and discourse have never been more tense, and political movements are on the rise. Images of riots and demonstrations hammer home the volatile and chaotic world we’re living in. These hot topics are fueling a demand that clearly resonates with our clients.
• Demonstrator with megaphone
• Demonstrators marching and carrying signs (may want to leave signage blank for client to add messaging)
• Demonstrators pumping fists in air
• Demonstrator confronting police officer
• Police officer in riot gear
• Demonstrator being arrested
• Police officer holding back demonstrators
• Demonstrators running through streets
Suggested Keywords: Chaos, Crime, Social Issues, Riot, Violence, Civil Unrest, Activism
Typical Users: TV Programming, Feature and Documentary Films, Security Companies, Political Campaigns
Riot – Car Burning, Crowd Yelling, Police by lprecise
Pro-Tip: Creating an atmosphere of chaos and filming a crowd of demonstrators can be challenging, if not expensive. Framing scenes with tighter shots is a practical solution on a tight budget. Add a little smoke for atmosphere and you have a winner. Keep in mind that we will also accept real protests and demonstrations for our editorial collection.
Casting Considerations: Authenticity with talent and imagery. Accept the challenge to subtract artificiality from your setups. In other words, keep it REAL. These things will play an important role in the success of your shoot. Read more in our post on authenticity and why it matters.
Location Diversity: Urban, Suburban, and Rural
Before You Shoot:
• Please check what content already exists in the Pond5 marketplace
• Think about a visual approach that will result in new and fresh footage
Submission Checklist:
• Remember to tag your clips with the keyword code: RIOTP5BRIEF
• Have all property and model releases filled out and submitted
• No logos or brands may be visible in any of the clips
• Don’t forget to add any applicable conceptual keywords
Top image: Rioters Throwing Stones by fstopimagesgmbh
Milestones are the significant events that occur in one’s lifetime, and Pond5 needs images that demonstrate firsts, which signify change and progression. These images are enormously popular in commercial advertising and may take on a greater importance given recent world events — which translates to an increase in requests to convey closeness, security, love, and other concepts related to a softer tone and spirit.
Suggested Keywords: Firsts, Change, Milestones, Future, Independence, Ceremony, New Horizons, Accomplishments, Rituals
Typical Users: Education, Insurance Companies, Public Service Announcements, TV Promos, Finance and Banking Firms, Political Campaigns
Pro-Tip: Consider using more graphic shots to illustrate your concept, such as an inked baby foot or baby’s hand wrapped around an adult’s finger. In addition, tight close-up shots on babies’ expressions are always needed.
Casting Considerations: Authenticity with talent and imagery. Accept the challenge to subtract artificiality from your setups. In other words, keep it REAL. These things will play an important role in the success of your shoot. Read more in our post on authenticity and why it matters.
Location Diversity: Urban, Suburban, and Rural
Before You Shoot:
Submission Checklist:
Top image: Rear View of Mother and Son at Doorway Leaving by ImageSource
Healthcare is a priority subject at Pond5 and one of a handful of the most important categories in our industry. Gaining access to a medical facility can be challenging, so in the upcoming months, you will be treated to a variety of healthcare concepts that will merge into other categories, such as lifestyles and business.
• Doctor checking a patient’s temperature
• Doctor examining a patient’s throat
• Doctor examining a patient’s heartbeat with a stethoscope
• Doctor administering a blood-pressure test on a patient
• Doctor examining a patient’s hearing
• Doctoring measuring a patient’s height and weight
• Doctor filling out a prescription on tablet
• Doctor using x-rays to consult with patient
• Patient receiving an ultrasound
• Patient sitting alone on examination table waiting for doctor/results
• Patient relieved from hearing good news from doctor
• Portraits of doctors and other healthcare staff
• Patients in waiting room filling out medical forms, handing healthcare card to nurse
Suggested Keywords: Healthcare, Communication, Medical Examination, Technology, Medicine, Responsibility, Clinic, Doctor, Assistance, Support
Typical Users: Healthcare, Insurance Companies, Public Service Announcements, Pharmaceutical Companies, Political Campaigns, Finance and Banking Firms
Doctor Shows X-Ray Images to Patient on Tablet by gorodenkoff
Pro-Tip: In reality, rooms are lit, not people. In stock, there’s a tendency for filmmakers to overuse high keys to light an environment, especially in medical shoots. If you’re working in a doctor’s office with available light, attempt to design your scenes around it. Natural light is the prettiest light. Because of greater dynamic range in digital capture, working with less lights and using practicals to shape the mood is guaranteed to make your work look much more polished and believable.
Casting Considerations: Race and age diversity. Authenticity with talent and imagery. Accept the challenge to subtract artificiality from your setups. In other words, keep it REAL. These things will play an important role in the success of your shoot. Read more in our post on authenticity and why it matters.
Location Diversity: Urban, Suburban, and Rural
Before You Shoot:
• Please check what content already exists in the Pond5 marketplace
• Think about a visual approach that will result in new and fresh footage
Submission Checklist:
• Remember to tag your clips with the keyword code: EXAMRMP5BRIEF
• Have all property and model releases filled out and submitted
• No logos or brands may be visible in any of the clips
• Don’t forget to add any applicable conceptual keywords
Top image: Closeup of Doctor’s Hand on Senior Patient’s Shoulder by blendimages
With the explosion of tools like Google Docs, Slack, and Trello, people are collaborating online more than ever before. Here are six more of our favorite tools that creatives can use to work together online.
Editing is really all about putting pieces of a puzzle together in the most optimal way. Here are some things you can do to make the process as painless as possible.
Academy Award-nominated cinematographers Rodrigo Prieto, Jeff Cronenweth, and Greig Fraser share their pro tips on shooting digital in low light.
