My Video Interview with John Dickinson
September 3rd, 2009

In a high-tech Skype interview, I had the pleasure of sitting down (remotely) with John Dickinson of MotionWorks to talk about Video Copilot and some fun stories from the past few years.

Looking back was fun for me and also reminded that I should also thank everyone here for your dedication and support, none of this would be possible without you. Here is to all the exciting things of the future!

Watch Video Interview Part 1

Part II should be out next week or so, I'll let everyone know!

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
16 years ago
122 Comments
Julian
16 years ago
:O a face to the voice! and such a handsome one at that!
Kent
16 years ago
i love Video Copilot. its the best place to learn after FX for Free. thanks to Andrew Kramer and Krew.
Kent
16 years ago
Andrew Kramer. Great job on all your tuts. you helped me alot i cant thank you enuff. but i have a request. well 2 really, i would love to see you put together a tut. on a smallville super speed, . i looked every where for the knowledge but it not out there in the form of a step by step video voice intructions please hook 1 of those videos up for me, 2nd request, if you think smallville is chessy then could you please show how to do a horror film special FX, with mirrors and people gettin pulled into a mirror or the img doing something other than what the person is really doing. plz i would really appreciated it thanks man i love video copilot
Rayan
16 years ago
would you please make Wide screen version of these interviews? i wasn't able to see your right ear until half of the interview passed!
Hello Andrew Kramer...
I think your interview is faced fabulous. John Dickinson is such a very big person so i think you was a nervous on behalf of him but you do a great job..
Greg
16 years ago
I enjoyed this. I can't wait to see part two. I think the humor is one of the things that makes your tutorials great & not just informative but fun watch. I think you do an awesome job Andrew. I wouldn't know anything about AE if it wasn't for you. Many thanks.
Great work on the JJ's stuff. I hope he hires you to do more work for him. I like most of his work too. Keep up the great work.
Tulaga Whitcombe
16 years ago
I now pronounce you King of AE!
John
16 years ago
Absolutely love this site... Had to get that out of the way.

Watching these types of interviews is very inspiring, learning how things evolved and ended up where they are now. When I came across this site for the first time I was in disbelief that the tutorials were free, was waiting for the pop up saying "to continue watching, enter credit details below".

Wish video Copilot all the best for the future and good luck on any new projects that come your way Andrew.

~
One of your many fans from Australia.
16 years ago
Did Sam set your webcam or something? Can you please teach him how to frame a shot?

Good stuff! Keep it coming!

Oh yeah... and where are the T-Shirts???
However
16 years ago
AWESOME..watched it and hey andrew i dont get it you say you have 3 emplyees but in the company section of VC it has like 12 people
Adrian Best
16 years ago
Video Copilot has been the foundation of my inspiration, the confidence I approach projects now through the information gathered within the many tutorials is really appreciated.
It is interesting to know that how I feel is not "weird" in terms of the manner I feel out of it sometimes, hearing that you had your challenges in your first couple of years has given me the confidence that I too can succeed at my passion.

Thank you Andrew, thank u Video Copilot
16 years ago
Andrew,

Ive been actively following this site for about a year now and have never blogged before here. I just wanted to say thank you for all you have done. I solely got into vfx due to you and your site. Ive been in the film business for years and found a reason to finally get off set. Haha. The interview was great, Ive also wondered your background and astonished to find out that you didnt go to some major design school and have a Masters at Berkley or Harvard or something. That truely gave me hope, because I didnt have major schooling either. It is my dream to do this for a living and am still aspiring to do so. I feel Im a perfectionist and I want my AE skills to be top notch before I start pulling money in the industry. :Thanks again, words do not express the gratitude I have and everyone here for you offering all this wonderful free training. You deserve every dime you get and I wish you success beyond your dreams.
the HK
16 years ago
Nice interview

I saw the Star Trek movie, and I loved your part, when the text, well, was "resetting", if you like. From shattered to readable. Can you please make a tutorial on how to achieve that? Or is it highly classified :p?

What I am about to write, isn't actually related to the video, but can you include more of Red Giant's products? I really want to learn about them! I've downloaded mostly of their products, and they are awesome (except for the "loved" red cross)!

Greetings from Norway!
pev
16 years ago
_google translate_
When John had an interview with Brian Maffitt and Maltaannon, I thought, that would be COOL to do an interview with Andrew Kramer,
And He did it!.
Great interview!
16 years ago
I'm in a band, I play the bass.
Dvornik
16 years ago
Thats a big room u've got there (considering echo).......just kidding...........good to see u 2 man! Hope VC is not just another rock band )))))))))
16 years ago
watch this interview already and i am going to watch it again... just in case i miss some thing
Johann Torres
16 years ago
very cool! Thanks for sharing
but when is the next part coming?
16 years ago
Loved this a lot. Looking forward to the next part. Also loving how often the blog is updated with really useful and cool information, awesome!

Thank you Andrew
Tanel
16 years ago
Like super interesting interview, i cant wait for the second part.
16 years ago
Awesome interview.

Also, Happy first birthday to your daughter!

I remembered that it was the 3rd because my birthday is the 4th, and my best friends is the 2nd!
ali
16 years ago
simply the best...
16 years ago
hey great interview, very inspiring, and it very clear through your work that you love what you do.
Thanks again for all your hard work

P.S i on your site almost every day.
16 years ago
Great interview! Can't wait for part 2!

Phil
Jean Haberman
16 years ago
Good interview... No we see you are a real person instead a computer program.

Nice work.. Let's think about a portuguese version hum?
sw_double
16 years ago
wow! you look handsome!
Gert Buist
16 years ago
THAT WAS AWESOME!!
Hern
16 years ago
hmmm strange i thought you where bald
16 years ago
I finished my coffee, where is part 2??? . 25:39 minutes well spent.

Have couple of questions.

1. Would you continue VCP for the years to come in AE or would you foray into Nuke, Fusion etc?

2. Do Adobe contact you for product enhancements to AE?


For people who think they are seeing AK for the first time then should check out this link

http://www.videocopilot.net/products/series_one/

God appeared here first!!!!
16 years ago
Nice interview
Thanks for doing this!
Gunnahan
16 years ago
Hehe.. you will have a new nickname from this epic, historic point in time on:

Andrew "absolutely" Kramer

16 years ago
man that was really interesting!

i am a student still and would do anything to get into the industry and found this fascinating!

cant wait for part 2!

many thanks
Dan Allen
16 years ago
Awesome interview, looking forward to seeing Part II

Keep up the great work,

Saf
Jason
16 years ago
Long time listener, first time caller. Keep the regular blog posts coming, I've got a job doing graphic design and since you've taught me nearly everything I know about After Effects, more updates = better salary. Thanks, Andrew.
Eric
16 years ago
Hallo Mr. Kramer!
I learnd a lot of the company VC.
But I have a little question: Did you also create the Fringe theme. I saw the theme in the interview and I think "wow" that is amazing.

Move on!
ShoeToad
16 years ago
Makes me wonder when the vlog's coming.

On the other hand: NICE
Fel
16 years ago
Awesomeness Andrew! I didn't know you did the Star Trek credits! Kudos to you good sir.
Mulango
16 years ago
Ha,

That was a cool interview. Awesome motion graphics on the stuff from fringe!
Simon Steele
16 years ago
Great interview, looking forward to part two. You are and inspiration Mr. Kramer, and once again thank you for all you do.
16 years ago
Omg, I finally saw you, Andrew. When I i'm watching your tutorials, I think you look like Sam! I thought you WERE Sam, even when you say "Hey, there's Sam".
Now i know you're a blond man with blue eyes and that's weird.
16 years ago
So basically Andrew you're using your tutorials to brainwash us into buying your products? I fell used...

Great interview, and most of all very encouraging. I also am making my money on websites and webdesign, into which I'm trying to incoporate some AE. More and more I'm being asked to do small VFX or animation projects. I don't expect to reach your level Andrew, but it does give me hope that I really can go on like this and get somewhere. Even more so using you DVDs (such as Action Essentials and Designer SFX).

Looking foward to part 2,
Fred
Filip
16 years ago
wow never thought I'd say this but you look really cool, you just ARE cool
16 years ago
Looks good
16 years ago
great interview!!!

Thank AK and Jhon Dickinson
16 years ago
Wow, you know, that was, you know, kinda cool, you know, to watch, you know...

No, just kidding you are a great guy, cool to see you're face while listening. Thanks for the great tutorials!
barry barrera
16 years ago
well well well..what can i say? from a master to another master...we are really lucky to have you guys! great interview!
Sean D
16 years ago
It's good to see a interview of how you got started and how you work and come up with your ideas for your new projects.
rafik1137
16 years ago
Good a see you Andrew
Nice interview
Don
16 years ago
Thanks for sharing this. Cheers!
Plissken
16 years ago
Enjoyed it a lot. Waiting for part 2!

Cheers!
16 years ago
this is the best interview I ever seen
Andrew Kramer, u're like a Godfather to All After Effects Users
I enjoy it alot,
and get very useful tips,

Andrew,
youâ??????re a Good Man, plz Keep ur Work Going on,
Thank You Andrew for all the Tutorials.
Thx to John too
Saar
16 years ago
well... that was.. awesome...
can't wait for part 2.
Alby Smith
16 years ago
nice interview...

thanks AK!

Video Copilot is the true FX !!
Rovshan
16 years ago
Thank you very much for this interview. I'm big fan of Andrew, never missed a single tutorial. This interview revealed a lot of his personality. Thank you again.
16 years ago
Thanks nice interview I have a question btw
As an movie editor do you need to be very good at 3DS and Cinema etc? AE and AVID is basic ^^
zin_onos
16 years ago
Happy to put a Face on that Voice!
Morne
16 years ago
WOW....Andrew is human???!!!??? Great interview....very inspiring! Best Wishes from South Africa!
Pedro
16 years ago
Great Interview. Awesome like always, AK you are a great artist. Here in this link there is also a wonderful work of art and it implies all what you have taught us so far. Thanks Kramer for being there for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAzijxPbYA8
NIVEK
16 years ago
Great interview --- nice to hear some of the history behind videocopilot . Can't wait for part 2
16 years ago
Inspiring interview looking forward to part 2.
Stefan
16 years ago
Thanks for doing this Andrew. You are the best.
John
16 years ago
Great interview!
It's awesome to see you started out just like most of us, just a bunch of kids playing with the software!
We all owe you a big thanks for all your hard work, and providing such an awesome resource! So, THANK YOU ANDREW KRAMER!!
can't wait for part 2
Tony R
16 years ago
Ha! Was on MotionWorks website, watching some tutorials then hop on Copilot and see a new blog about John interviewing Andrew. Such as weird coincidence.
16 years ago
Great Interview, you are the man.
Danny C
16 years ago
I have to say your face is not what I imagined it would be (I mean that in a good way)! But really, great interview, and keep up the good work - I can't wait for tutorial 96!
16 years ago
Great interview. I love to see it.
16 years ago
Hey mate, good to see and hear you.....the first thing I did when I started watching video co-pilot was to start what I call my A.E cook book , a little book i write all things A.E in..

greeting from Australia
16 years ago
That was an awesome interview.. cant wait to see part 2... Andrew you are the man... no I mean really.. just sit back for a few secs and really think about it, and Im sure youve done it before but just do it again and bask in the glory of it.
16 years ago
Great interview - and long overdue. When he showed that screen shot of the first version of videocopilot.net, I smiled, recalling that's what it looked like when I first visited the site. It's come a long way. Congratulations on all your success. You've been a creative inspiration for all of us. As an owner of a small design studio myself, your business success story really hits home and motivates. Best of luck in the future!

All the best,
Nick W
Qw3rtium
16 years ago
I can't wait for the second part
phil
16 years ago
You are a good looking man Andrew Kramer!

Thanks for the interview...

You got me into AE! Before I visited your site, I had totally no skills in AE! Now I can do a few things i like to do and i am just a step away from buying your action essentials 2! And i am pretty thankfull that your product isn't awailable as a torrent or where ever. So i can't test your product and say: oh well. nice stuff, but i aspect a little more... just kidding, i am sure it is awesome!

Cheers!
Max
16 years ago
LOL he kinda looks like you Andrew
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3015018752/tt1144884 , nice Vid interview btw Ive been following your stuff for almost a year keep up the great job !
Clayton Light
16 years ago
AK,
It was great to hear how you fell into the world of AE. The day the lights turned on for me was when I saw the "Serious FX" tutorial on the cow. I got hooked.
Thanks bro!
c
Blake
16 years ago
Now I'm not into dudes, but couldn't Andrew be a male model? Seriously.
walter perrault
16 years ago
Andrew Finally A Face To Match The Voice, I Cant Thank You Enough For Everything You Have Given us. You Are A Inspiration And A Gifted Person.
Cristian
16 years ago
great interview...
16 years ago
it was cool to hear you talk AND see your face. That doesn't happen often.
16 years ago
Very nice interview, AK. The Mission Impossible 3 story was great! Ah, the power of innovation.
Erick J.
16 years ago
Thanks Andrew for all the enthusiasm you put to your work. I'm not use to write comments, but i have to recognize your effort.
I'm 18 and i visit the website since 2007, to be more specific since tutorial #20. In the years to come i see VC as success. Thanks for being symbol of inspiration to most of us. I hope i get to be as good as to are. xD

(Sorry for my bad writing, english is my second language)
16 years ago
Heey Andrew!

I really love you're passion for vfx! It was an very intresting, good intervieuw, from what i saw i kinda reconize myself in you haha. Always being busy with the things you love, even in the late nights, trying new stuff, experimentalize, helping people with you're knowledge
, and to have a goal as an proffesional freelancer. Atleast that's my goal.

I really enjoyed it, kinda gives me an extra boost to work even harder to archieve such goals!

Greets,

Willem
16 years ago
With the new Video Blog coming out, Video Copilot is going to become over more of an amazing resource.
16 years ago
Hey Andrew, Hope this read.... you would make time for all your comments


I'm in Australia, and there is nothing ...or slowing growing. All the stuff you do, I'm Pretty sure our TV Companies are using Action Essentials 2 haha.

I've 15 and i have After Effects, Vegas, and most of your products, Parents lol! And i'm making some pretty good stuff, but Lag with After Effects is a big issue. But yea i'm getting there, trying to understand ur complex expressions haha. Looking forward to going down to my local Tv Station, and showing what you have taught me haha. I would not of got into all of this if this resources was not here, Very Interesting. Come to Australia, You would blow everyone AWAY! Mate

Sweet Interveiw, Plz Reply to my comment. Don't have too, you guys are like super busy with your awesomeness and your friends you can never here, (Awesome Mic) mate

Zach
16 years ago
It's funny seeing you in a video man, I thought you might look like an after effects plug-in, or mabey a Control Slider, or a mouse pointer with a face. But i was wrong. lol Keep up the good work andrew, you smash on the industry, and everyone loves it.
16 years ago
Great interview.
16 years ago
Awesome! I can't wait to watch it!
Dan
16 years ago
i started AAE at age 11 and now its 5 years later and during those years your tutorials helped so much. good to know more about how you got started
16 years ago
You're a legend AK You won't believe how much you and VC have changed my life!
andydevane
16 years ago
were can i see the titles online?
Jon
16 years ago
You say absolutely a lot during the interview.
AK: Absolutely!

Just kidding, nice interview, thanks for sharing.
Pwned
16 years ago
awesome interview from my two fav artists!
can't wait the part two.
Blair
16 years ago
That TEDtalk with JJ Abrams is so cool...

I learned everything I know through this site. Well, everything pertaining to After Effects anyway (plus a few handy life tips). I never realised till now how famous you actually are within the larger community. Makes me feel special that I've been here almost from the very start. *group hug*
16 years ago
I also started with Flash and webdesign and now I'm in After effects.

BTW, amazing interview.
16 years ago
That was great. Can't wait for part 2 but what I really want to see are some of the older projects you did, the shorts from the early days
16 years ago
Wheres the next part
16 years ago
Great interview Andrew. I'm looking forward to see part 2.
I'm working on a promo video for Poken Song right now and I'm going through some older tutorials to spice it up a bit.
Thanks for everything.
Ryan
16 years ago
I just handed my iPhone to my brother and he thoght you looked in you're eraly 20's, bcant wait to get home and watch it!
arfhdd
16 years ago
wooow your are buetiful maan
16 years ago
Whoah. I can see why you use Sam as a model!

Sheesh!



It's good to see the guy behind the tutorial Andrew.

Spence.
Tahsin
16 years ago
Very interesting interview especially where you stated you started off with web designing and flash with After Effects cause thats what made me interested in after effects also!
Josh M
16 years ago
great interview! cant wait to see the second part!
16 years ago
Thank you andrew ! thank to you Videocopilot i have maden a great Musicvideo on www.strikers.at ! go on it ant click watch video.. 100 % chroma key !

i just so freaking love you andrew

i ordered your action essentials 2
Kai
16 years ago
very cool!
When is the next part coming???
16 years ago
John Dickinson

john dickinsonJohn is currently employed as a Senior Broadcast Designer at Foxtel in Australia where he designs and produces a wide range of broadcast graphics for various channels including National Geographic Channel, The Biography Channel, The Comedy Channel, Main Event Pay-Per-View, Fox Footy Channel and Fox Sports.

Thorough industry-based experience includes a position at the Computer Graphics College as Interactive Video Production course manager and After Effects lecturer. John has a Certificate III in Work-based Training and has been teaching After Effects to individuals and groups for over 6 years. John is dedicated to excellence in motion graphics and is a contributing member of the global online After Effects community.

Check out John's terrific website, www.Motionworks.com.au
16 years ago
^^ C'est cool TOP 5/5
AndrewYY
16 years ago
nice haircut
timmy
16 years ago
you are the best... >_<
16 years ago
Love the story about JJ contacting you too. I can relate to the part where you were telling your wife who he was, and then naming the shows. lol
D3FO3
16 years ago
Amazing + epic = VC
16 years ago
Was that a good interview? ABSOLUTELY!
16 years ago
Wow! YOu sure are keeping the blog up to date these days! That's what i like to see! Keep it up bud!
mrnext
16 years ago
Thanks for the share Andrew
highdefw
16 years ago
Thanks for the share Andrew
Nihlus
16 years ago
Interviewer kept cutting you off :S

Anyway, interesting interview

Nice to put a face to The Voice.
16 years ago
hey andrew. good informative interview about you and videocopilot. i??´ve looked that twice

greez from dresden / germany

maik
16 years ago
Awesome! Maltaannon(last week) and now Andrew in a row!
PvP
16 years ago
a completely other side of andrew kramer - more earnestly
16 years ago
Really great to hear how you got started out as well.
16 years ago
Even though I've seen you talk on video before it's a little weird for me right now to see this. Only about 10 minutes in. Man you talk a lot in this. :p
16 years ago
Thanks for doing this!
Rick Morris
16 years ago
I was waiting for this one!! I just wonder who is going to interview John!?
Matt_sich
16 years ago
Sweet...! Lookin good for VC
16 years ago
Awesomeness. Great interview. Think this is the first time I've seen you speak and could put a face to ya!