The sketch-comedy group, Almost Friday TV, has been creating creative and entertaining videos for over a year. Each new video is as innovate as they are hilarious, and it was a pleasure to collaborate with the team.
This project was a story told through the Netflix and YouTube interface. The initial approach was to screen-record a TV and composite their filmed footage inside. However, this had very little ability to fine-tune the animation.
The solution was an easy-to-use bespoke procedural template.
Building Blocks
Below are three versions of the UI with a Static and Preview design side-by-side.
The first two designs imitate the actual Netflix interface.
The third design is a combination of the two.
The first two designs imitate the actual Netflix interface.
The third design is a combination of the two.
v1 - An identical re-creation of Netflix's "Only on Netflix" category
v1 - Preview expansion
v2 - A modified design of Netflix's "Top 10" category
v2 - Preview expansion
v3 - A mix of the two design styles above
v3 - Preview expansion
The third layout was chosen as the best narrative tool. A larger preview window created more space for storytelling and it reduced the amount of static content on screen. Furthermore, showing less preview boxes prevented spoilers of the joke/story.
Rigged Motion
Using the native scripts, expressions, and labeling options within After Effects allowed me to create a dynamic editing experience that is managed within a single timeline.
The native PointsToNulls script was the backbone to building three main functions required: slide, expand, and play.
Below is a mockup of the rigged controllers and the hierarchy of control.
SLIDE
Each "card" has four nulls, and the top-right null (A) main driver.
Sliding or expanding moves null A, and null B and C only follow when necessary.
Sliding or expanding moves null A, and null B and C only follow when necessary.
EXPAND
A unique index is generated for each card which serves two functions.
This first function ensures that the expansion slider only affects the card closest to the white selection box. The second function keeps every card separated by 100 points of the scroll slider.
This first function ensures that the expansion slider only affects the card closest to the white selection box. The second function keeps every card separated by 100 points of the scroll slider.
PLAY
The start time of the content inside each card is offset to timeline position of the corresponding PLAY REF keyframe.
"The Grouch" was used as an Easter egg to help the editor debug.
If they saw the thumbnail or video, they would know they didn't insert their asset correctly.
If they saw the thumbnail or video, they would know they didn't insert their asset correctly.
