Movie countdown graphic - howto?
May 19, 2006 3:52 PM   Subscribe

I want to create a short movie (DVD) clip that does the cinema count-down 10, 9, 8 ... gray circle with black numbers. Can someone more creative and smarter than me advise how?

Am running an open air community movie series. The idea is to get folks into their seats and build a sense of expectation.

Ideally the countdown would be from 100 with the occasional sponsor ad thrown in during countdown. I'm sure there is a simple way to do this in a graphics program then export to imovie or something similar.

FYI - The series takes place in downtown Jersey City in Van Vorst Park.

Thanks - Johnny
posted by johoney to Technology (7 answers total)
 
I believe Adobe Premiere has this functionality built in - it's called a "Universal Counting Leader". It's sort-of described here.
posted by pocams at 4:03 PM on May 19, 2006


Try going to this place:

www.fotosearch.com

They have numerous clips that are exactly what you're looking for. They put a ghosted logo across the bottom of the samples, but on many you can crop out the logo and use the sample itself. A really great resource.
posted by Blingo at 4:09 PM on May 19, 2006


Also try here (the first three are countdown leaders).
posted by amro at 4:59 PM on May 19, 2006


I just love this place.
posted by Dunwitty at 5:30 PM on May 19, 2006


Here's an idea that's a bit more work, but which I think would be more engaging: Local people holding signs with numbers, standing in front of local landmarks. Do radial wipes from one shot to the next.
posted by teg at 10:35 PM on May 19, 2006


: I'm sure there is a simple way to do this in a graphics program then export to imovie or something similar.

The graphics program you're looking for is called After Effects (I've heard good things about Motion as well).

You're running a screening series. I assume you're in touch with at least one person who is adept in one of these applications. If not, I recommend Craigslist.org's television, film, and radio job listing board; you should be able to find someone who'll do this for a low price (possibly a college student or hobbyist looking for experience).
posted by jtron at 1:27 AM on May 20, 2006


The suggestions to use real Academy Leader or Premiere's "Universal Counting Leader" generator are only going to get you a count from 8 down through 2 (followed by 2 sec. of black).

Though it would be quicker to do it with radial wipes between simple graphic cards, Teg's suggestion sounds best. You could have this done in Final Cut, Avid, Premiere, or After Effects. I assume iMovie could do it too.
posted by nobody at 6:10 AM on May 20, 2006


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