Title Sequence Animation in After Effects
A course by Paul McDonnellTitle Sequence Designer
A course by Paul McDonnell, Title Sequence Designer
Learn how to create a striking opening sequence for a movie or series by editing images and layouts in Photoshop, then bring it to life in After Effects
Title design for film is an essential part of a movie’s success. It’s the first sixty seconds to get an audience hooked in. For Paul McDonnell, it is also a chance to take part in a wide variety of projects– one month working on a children’s show like The Worst Witch, and the next on a horror series like Intruders.
In this online course, learn the entire process of creating a film title sequence for any genre from scratch. Discover how to source, compile, and edit an engaging scene before tying it together with the perfect soundtrack. By the end of the course, you’ll a deep understanding of title design and animation, as well as a new project to add to your portfolio.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 13 downloads
Successful Atmospheric Title Sequences
6 minutes, 59 seconds
Creation of Mood Board
9 minutes, 26 seconds
Brainstorming Three Scenes
13 minutes, 46 seconds
Image Sourcing
19 minutes, 34 seconds
Creating the First Two Scenes 1
16 minutes, 38 seconds
Creating the First Two Scenes 2
15 minutes, 58 seconds
What's included in this course?
Meet Paul McDonnell, a title sequence designer, and your teacher for this course. Hear about his creative journey that led him to the film industry, along with his influences and inspirations.
Start by taking a look at successful title sequences, and explore what makes them great. Create a moodboard with ideas before brainstorming three scenes.
Paul shows you how to source raw images and footage online for your composition. See how to use that content to create your first two scenes, before creating your logo in Photoshop.
Learn how to convert your images to 2.5D, which is the middle ground between 2D and 3D animation, and edit them in After Effects. See how to add a musical score that fits seamlessly with your scene. Explore how to animate your sequence’s transitions.
Next, learn how to composite and color grade your work to add the final touches. Finally, see how to render and export your final scene, ready to be shared online.
What is this course's project?
Create a short clip for the opening of a film of your choice.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone who want to get into the world of motion graphics, as well as for film enthusiasts who want to explore the world of title sequences.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects is required.
Reviews
- 5 months ago
An ok course, although I was pretty underwhelmed by the quality of the final sequence, which is extremely short, nowhere near a full title sequence. It also looks very rough, the two "scenes" don't transition very well into each other. Overall I'm disappointed with the attention to detail and unimpressed with the resulting export.
- 6 months ago
This is a very enjoyable course with a great teacher as well. Everything is super easy to follow, and there are plenty of helpful tips to get you started on your journey. Highly recommend and well worth your time. Thank you, Paul!
- 6 months ago
Increíble curso!! No sólo el contenido es apasionante, sino que la forma de explicarlo lo hace muy fácil para los que somos nuevos en esto. Un 10!!
- 8 months ago
Gold. Paul breaks down title sequence design with super clear explanations and makes you feel confident with After Effects after just the first few lessons. You can tell he loves what he does and he is good at sharing it. Brilliant
- 8 months ago
En este curso se puede ver el paso a paso de una pieza de gran calidad explicada de forma básica. Recomiendo este curso para quienes quieran entender el flujo de trabajo de un reconocido profesional.
He’s been nominated for BAFTAs multiple times, and won a Primetime Emmy for his work on the show Da Vinci’s Demons. He’s also a three-time recepient of the SXSW Excellence in Title Design for his work in The Shannara Chronicles, Into the Badlands, and Any Human Heart.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Taking a Look at a Few Atmospheric Titles
- Successful Atmospheric Title Sequences
- Creation of Mood Board
- Brainstorming Three Scenes
- U3
Designing Two Scenes and Logo Creation
- Image Sourcing
- Creating the First Two Scenes 1
- Creating the First Two Scenes 2
- Creating the First Two Scenes 3
- Logo Design
- U4
Animating the Sequence
- Converting the Scene into 2.5D and Managing Files 1
- Converting the Scene into 2.5D and Managing Files 2
- Converting the Scene into 2.5D and Managing Files 3
- Editing to a Sample Score
- Animating Transitions and Inserting Footage 1
- Animating Transitions and Inserting Footage 2
- U5
Grading and Rendering
- Compositing and Grading
- Exporting
- FP
Final project
- Title Sequence Animation in After Effects
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate-level motion designers aiming to create professional title sequences and expand their motion design portfolio.
You will need access to Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, as these are the primary tools used throughout the course for compositing and animation.
You'll learn the entire workflow of designing title sequences, including moodboarding, image sourcing, compositional sketching, digital layering, animation techniques, seamless transitions, and color grading.
A basic understanding of Photoshop and After Effects is recommended, as the course covers intermediate to advanced techniques in both programs.
The course teaches you to source, curate, and organize reference images from platforms like Pinterest and Unsplash, and guides you in building effective mood boards to define your animation’s visual direction.
Yes, the course emphasizes using negative space, atmospheric composition, and color palettes to create visually impactful and emotionally engaging title sequences.
The course covers ethical and legal considerations when sourcing images, including how to find, attribute, and legally use royalty-free images for your animation projects.