What’s a video without a little bit of flare? Adobe After Effects is one of the best all-in-one video editing and video effects programs today, giving enthusiasts and industry leaders the tools they need to turn their videos into epic Hollywood experiences.
But like the rest of the Adobe Creative Cloud, After Effects can be a struggle to learn and difficult to master. Luckily, there are more ways than ever to dive head-first into the software, including interactive and personalized After Effects training classes.
Custom Onsite After Effects Training
The best way to learn anything is with hands-on practice, which is why I’m offering guided After Effects Training Courses for professionals and beginners in both Orlando, Florida and the rest of the United States.
With over a decade of experience as a digital professional, I have trained many prominent organizations including NASA TV, NBC/Universal, Golf Network, and WKMG News 6.
My classes are customized to fit your needs, providing the benefits of an Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) and the ability to interact with the program at your own pace.
Classes Offered
Adobe User Groups
Sometimes, the most important step to learning is knowing that you aren’t alone. There are several hobbyist and professional groups aimed at connecting like-minded Adobe users looking to hone their skills and grow their network of industry contacts.
The local Orlando Adobe User Group is a monthly meet-up at Webster University, creating an opportunity to find helpful advice and share content with other Adobe creators. Mograph Orlando is another local organization that brings together motion graphic designers, animators and editors.
Events like these can introduce you to the broader community but have little time for essential long-term training.
Official Video Courses
Adobe offers dedicated video tutorials to take you through the After Effects programs as well as the rest of the Adobe software catalogue. Their videos range from beginner tutorials to advanced special effects and animation.
While these videos are often thorough and easy to understand, they miss crucial post-training support that hands-on classes provide.
Independent Video Tutorials
Along with Adobe’s dedicated video training, there are a plethora of independent creators and organizations that produce their own After Effects video tutorial content.
YouTube channels like Video Copilot and After Effects Series Tutorials offer fun and creative how-to videos for specific effects such as 3D Light Rays and Superhero Flying.
For more curated instructions, LesterBanks.com collects videos from all over the internet, giving you access to the best free tutorials available. These independent videos are always creative and entertaining but often miss essential starting information for beginners.

For more classroom-oriented tutorials, Lynda.com offers engaging, high-quality videos that provide step-by-step guides to the software. The site offers a 30-day free trial, giving you access to helpful starting videos including:
- After Effects CC 2017 Essential Training: The Basics
- After Effects CC 2018 Essential Training: Editors and Post
Udemy.com is another highly-recommended paid video service with over 55,000 online courses available including:
- After Effects CC: Complete Course from Novice to Expert
- After Effects CC: The Complete Guide to After Effects CC
After Effects Tutorial Books
Lastly, Adobe publishes official workbooks called Classroom in a Book for people who prefer paper or e-book guides. These books stay fairly up to date with the current software standards and provide step-by-step instructions in a written format.

After Effects Apprentice is another textbook resource guide available in print or as an e-book that specifically concentrates on motion graphics and animation. Both Apprentice and Classroom in a Book are good for text-base learning but miss the benefits of interactive learning.

Conclusion
When learning a new Adobe program, you should use the training resource that suits you best, whether it’s free tutorials, hobbyist groups or purchasable lessons. However, none of these options give you the dedicated training and expert support that comes with After Effects Training from an experienced, certified expert! Happy creating!