After Effects
live one-to-one training.
Private online lessons with Charlie, shaped around your experience, questions and the work you want to create. Learn through screen sharing, using your own project or a guided example.
Practical tuition with Charlie McFarlane · Former Apple Lead Creative
Personalised After Effects lessons
Turn a static idea into a clear, considered animation. Learn After Effects through practical motion-design tuition built around your experience and creative goals.
Build animation with intention
Start with the relationship between a composition, its layers and the timeline. We can explore how keyframes, easing and pacing change the character of a movement, then apply that understanding to text and graphics.
The aim is to understand what you are changing and why. Instead of adding effects until something looks busy, we can consider hierarchy, clarity and the role the animation plays in your project.
- Organise compositions and layers
- Animate properties and refine keyframe timing
- Work with text, shape layers, masks and effects
- Use precompositions to make a project easier to manage
From a one-off graphic to a repeatable workflow
A graphic often needs to work with more than one message. We can explore how to structure a project so text, colours and timing are easier to adapt, and how to keep repeated elements consistent.
Bring an animation you are developing, a reference to discuss or a particular technique you want to understand. We can also use a guided example if you would rather learn away from a live client project.
- Plan a short title or branded motion sequence
- Make sensible choices about reusable elements
- Understand how animation fits into an editing workflow
- Prepare an appropriate render or export
How your private lesson works
- Choose your focus. Tell me your software, experience and what you want to learn. Bring a project, choose guided practice or ask me to suggest a learning route.
- Choose your session. Select a duration and available time in the booking panel. Prices are shown in GBP before you book. If you are unsure what suits you, enquire first.
- Learn together online. We use screen sharing to work through your questions, explore techniques and practise at your pace. The session can adapt as questions arise; you do the work with guidance, rather than simply watch a demonstration.
What learners say
“Charles was a true pleasure to work with. He was able to answer all of my questions and helped me have a better understanding for the dilemma I was running into within After Effects.”
Learn to create your own branded graphics
Build the skills to create titles, lower thirds, callouts and reusable graphics that feel like your channel.
We can work towards a simple example during your session, such as a basic lower third, while exploring techniques you can develop further in your own time.
The focus is on learning how to create and adapt your own assets. A complete, polished template or brand pack usually requires additional work beyond the lesson.
Ask about After Effects training
Online sessions are available internationally. Scheduling is flexible by agreement; discuss your availability and learning goals before booking.
Your questions
Are these live, private lessons?
Yes. You work one-to-one with Charlie online, with screen sharing, questions and practical guidance adapted to you. These After Effects sessions are live tuition rather than a recorded course.
What do I need for an online lesson?
A computer with your chosen software, a reliable internet connection and a way to speak and share your screen during the session. Tell me your software version and any relevant hardware or access needs before booking so we can agree a suitable session.
Why choose private tuition rather than tutorials or a recorded course?
Tutorials can be a useful starting point. A live private lesson lets you ask follow-up questions, explore why a technique works and apply it to your own project. I can adapt the explanation and pace as we go, rather than asking you to follow a fixed sequence of steps.
Do I need to follow a set curriculum?
No. I can suggest a structured learning route if you would like one, or build the session around your project, questions and goals. We check what you already know and fill in the gaps, with time to practise rather than simply watch a demonstration.
Can I bring my own project?
Yes. Bring your footage, edit or graphics project and the questions you want to work through. If you are starting from scratch, we can use a guided example instead.
How long are sessions, and what do they cost?
Choose 45, 60, 90, 120 minutes. The booking panel shows the total GBP price for each duration. A shorter session suits a focused question; a longer one gives more time for guided practice.
Can I book from outside the UK?
Yes. Lessons are delivered remotely and are available to international clients. Check the available times or enquire about your time zone and availability before booking.
Can I start as a beginner?
Yes. We can begin with the interface, compositions and simple animation, then build the lesson around what you want to make.
Can you make the animation for me instead?
Commissioned motion design is available separately. These sessions focus on helping you learn to create and adapt your own work.
Can we work through a problem in my project?
Yes—tell me what’s happening and what you’d like to achieve. We can investigate it together and explore possible solutions. Some issues depend on the source files, software or hardware, so a specific fix can’t be guaranteed.
Watched tutorials and still feel lost?
You’re not alone. Following someone else’s steps is one thing; knowing how to apply them to your own project is another.
We’ll start with what you already know and what you want to create. Ask questions, fill in the gaps and explore different approaches with someone who can adapt the explanation to you.
Whether you’re learning the basics or developing a specific technique, the aim is to help you understand your tools and make confident creative decisions.
One-to-one training or a recorded course: which is right for you? Read my perspective on where each approach helps.
Keep exploring
For other software and creative subjects, explore all training topics.
About your trainer
I’m Charlie, founder of Folded Space, a professional video editor and motion designer, a certified Final Cut Pro trainer, and a former Lead Creative at Apple. I spent ten years in a lead training role at Apple and have delivered more than 10,000 hours of technical and creative training, helping people of all abilities turn unfamiliar tools into useful skills.
Connect on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)Training for your team
Tailored sessions and workshops built around your team’s tools, experience and goals. I’ve delivered corporate training internationally, practical workshops for groups of up to 30, and presentations and webinars for larger audiences.
