American Idol Intro

[jtoney]

Ok, this is my first post. I saw an OLD video on here from someone who made an American Idol intro.

Video is located at http://vimeo.com/3394395

I know this is done in several compositions but I hoped that someone might shed some like on how to achieve the effects. I'm having to make this very intro for a project and I really need some direction.

[gregalan]

Hi jtoney, welcome. That is a very, very complicated project with a lot of different, and some quite advanced, techniques. If you are a beginner I would strongly recommend you get the basics down first - which will explain things like the spinning logo/rings and how to set things up in 3D space, then you can move on to the more advanced stuff.
Here's a good starting point:
http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/
Here's an Earth Zoom tutorial:
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/earth_zoom/
Be aware that you are talking about a massive project though.

[jtoney]

Actually I've been working in AE for a number of years now. I actually have some awards for my work, minor as it may be.

I did notice the earth zoom, and I have achieved that effect before. I'm thinking the video scrolling on both sides is a simple task, but its the logo with the swirls that baffles me.

[gregalan]

If you are meaning the ones starting at the 9 second mark (?) I noticed them too and feel sure that they aren't a native AE effect (well not in CS3, which I use), they appear to be a 3D warp sort of effect or they could be made with Trapcode Particular or Trapcode Form. Anyone else want to chime in?

[jtoney]

My other question is going to be the footage of the crowd. Does that appear to be stock footage or something I could make?

[gregalan]

This might be of interest?
http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/videos/ ... v/item/26/

[jtoney]

Unfortunately their footage has been discontinued. Good tutorial just need the resources for it.

[SThompsonRAMM]

I've used this technique before with 6 people for my crowd. The key is make sure their clothes are neutral in color so you don't notice the same subjects. Is there no way that you could video some friends against a green screen as well to create your own crowd?

[jtoney]

I wish I did, there has to be an alternative method. Anyone have an idea of where to get the footage?

[rwernyei]

jtoney,

Have you looked at Videohive's AE Project Files?
Fully customizable placeholders. These might work for you.

http://videohive.net/item/star-dances-2 ... r=DaniMult

http://videohive.net/item/star-dances-i ... r=DaniMult

Hope this helps.
Robert