speech...

in print don't forget to push your self and the speech typographically. HOW can we see the intonation? How can we see where the person pauses. How can we see what was stressed. How can we see how a word is said. How can we see how you think it should be said, stressed, pauses.... and what is the mood, tone, feeling: somber, happy, call to action, quite, stress, sadness, angry, calm, anxiety, ... Need some inspiration look at Dada, Futurism, Concrete Poetry...

for motion
please have your favorite motion piece you found online handy, and why you like it. also have your least favorite example handy, why it a "least".

links to tutorials / blogs / resources are listed on the right and don't forget about Lynda.com she is very helpful.

some examples from last year 
also at the end of the project last year i asked the students to give future students tips. this is what they had to say....

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Start with a Concept.
Realize that AfterEffects is not a solution, it's a tool that will help you execute your all-ready-developed idea.
Posted by Brian Rio
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1) Learn how to work with a null object. Parenting your camera to a null object will make camera movements exponentially easier.

2) Figure out all the idiosyncrasies of masks. My project would be nothing without them. Especially pay attention to :

a. Whether the mask is set to "Add" or "Subtract"
b. Changing mask position with nodes - Shift+Click on one of the anchor points on a mask. This allows you to alter the mask shape as you move keyframe to keyframe, creating the illusion of something growing or receding.
c. Working with mask feathering is tricky but can add a great illusion of depth if used correctly.

Posted by michael selby

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Watch the tutorial videos and have ideas of what you want to do before you start so you're not clueless and just clicking around aimlessly. It saves you time, so none is wasted!
Posted by Camille

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1. When working with sound, be sure to match up your keyframes with your Audio waveform, not with what you hear. It will enable you to visualize what the sound is doing and where sound actually starts versus when you think it starts.

2. Try and discover all of the quirky little things after effects has to offer, be they different effects or shortcuts on your keyboard.
3. Use the pre-compose feature. It helps keep your main composition organized and will save time in the long run.

4. Always think of your composition as a 3D world, where you can go back, forth, turn around, look up, down, etc. It will be easier to use cameras/null objets when you think in a 3D state of mind.

Posted by Jordan Jacobson

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Don't be afraid to get into your video and start editing. Unlike flash, you do not have to start over with every edit, you can simply move your layers around.

Posted by Sarah Rew

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add your sound first.  it is much easier to time things and make them line up with the words being spoken if you go ahead and put it in first.

Posted by josey