Apple Motion Training

Motion, a product in Apple's Final Cut Pro family, allows you to create stunning motion graphics and visual effects with unprecedented ease. In fact, every transition, generator, and title in Final Cut Pro X was created in Motion. Although Motion is easy to use, it serves many different purposes, so it is fairly complex. This class will ground you in the fundamentals so you can harness the speed and powerful features of Motion.

Industry professionals are using Motion to add complex effects to their productions. Complex motion graphics are no longer limited to high end post production houses. Anyone who has Motion in combination with Final Cut Pro is now able to produce stunning motion graphics and animations within their projects.

With the release of Final Cut Pro X, Apple has upgraded Motion to version 5.  While the new version is dramatically different behind the scenes, its core feature set has not changed substantially; instead, Motion 5 adds deep new integration with Final Cut Pro.  In version 4, you could use Motion to create standalone video or to create embeddable projects which behaved like video.  In the new version, you can use Motion to create or edit literally every type of visual element in FCPX--generators, effects, transitions, titles, and full-fledged templates.

Since many studios are sticking with the previous version of Final Cut Pro for now, we're still teaching Motion 4 and 5.  

• Days 1 and 2 of our Motion class cover the core features common to both versions.  
• Day 3 focuses on the new workflows unique to Motion 5.

Most of our students choose to combine Motion training with one of GeniusDV's Final Cut Pro classes. If you are looking to learn Motion "a la carte," please call us at (866) 566-1881 to make your booking.  The two-day Motion 4 class is priced at $795 and the three-day Motion 5 class is $1195.  Class dates for our Orlando classroom are posted on the calendar--and we can always come to you to deliver customized on-site training on your schedule.

Call an instructor now to book your seat!

(866) 566-1881

Day 1: Animation and Basic Compositing

In this module you will learn the Motion interface windows. You will discover how to add basic objects and adjust their behaviors and filters. You will also be introduced to some critical (hot keys) or key board shortcuts. Next, you will be introduced to using particle simulations.

Using Motion generators
Learn how to apply motion generators from the library. Explore the use of abstract particles. You will also learn how to use gradients and how to render generated objects.

Working with layers and objects
Learn how to create a TV station ID. Explore how to build a multi layered composite. Then learn how to modify specific filters and behaviors that affect specific motion graphic elements.

Using Apple motion effect templates
In this section, you will learn how to edit Motion's effect templates, and how to create your own template files.

Motion particles and parameter behaviors
Explore how to build particle from a movie clip. Learn how to refine the Motion particle system. You will perform exercises that include modifying an object's motion parameters, and concepts that include (birth, death, and life rates).

Advanced Motion particle design
Discover how to modify particle behaviors, and how to use to particle proxies and ram preview. You will also learn how to create blending dust.

Using blend modes
Learn how to blend objects. This module will also teach you how to create titles and how to add logos. Explore how to change specific media properties. You will also learn how to add explosions and sound effects to your composite.

Day 2: Advanced Compositing, Generated Elements, 3D Scenes

Keying
Learn all the specifics required to pull a key, including how to treat edges, creating a garbage matte, fixing the choke. Also learn how to keyframe out a garbage matte. You will also learn how to add a zoom blur.

Nonlinear Editing
Use motion to assemble video elements. Explore how to add a lens flare filter and how to add other cinematic graphics.

Audio and Markers
Discover how to mix a soundtrack within the Motion software. Learn how to utilize audio markers.

Key-framing
Experiment by animating a motion blueprint. Learn how to set keys manually and how to work within the keyframe editor. Discover how to stylize a floorplan object. You will also learn how to create circles strings. Explore new concepts such as, adding the rising gun, blurring a gunraise object, and adding crazy squares.

Creating text effects
In this section you will learn how to build a frenetic text effect. You will also discover to edit text parameters and how to animate text on a motion path. Learn about animating the tracking and slant of animated text. Also in this section you will learn how to create a motion blur. You will experiment with adding a personality to a text object. Learn how to create text presets, and how to edit text behaviors.

Integrating Apple Motion with other Apple Pro Applications
Learn the critical techniques required to integrate motion into Final Cut Pro, and learn how to create a DVD motion menu for use within Apple's DVD Studio Pro software.

Additional Topics
Real Time Design
Behaviors Before Keyframing
JavaScript vs. Parameter Behaviors
Particle Systems
Text in Motion
Motion Coordinate System and Dynamic Guides
After Effects - Compatible Plug-ins

Day 3: Motion 5 Workflows

Rigs 
Motion offers deep control over every element of your project, but sometimes you want multiple aspects of your project to change or animate in unison.  Rigs allow you to connect virtually any control in Motion to other master controls to create nuanced and complex effects with minimal effort.  That can make your life as an editor easier, and it can help you and your team guarantee consistency across your motion graphics.

Advanced Keying
Motion 5 and Final Cut Pro X include a powerful new chroma keyer.  Learn which keyer to use when, and how to make the most of the new advanced controls built into the keyer.

Publishing Controls to FCP 
With the new version of Motion, you can manipulate all of your Motion project's parameters directly from your Final Cut Pro Inspector.  Dramatically speed up your editorial workflow by hiding the controls you don't need and saving a roundtrip to Motion. 

Creating Transitions 
Every built-in transition in Final Cut Pro X is a Motion project.  We'll use Motion to tweak the built-in transitions and to create our own transitions from scratch.