I got a chance to review Class on Demand Complete Training for GenArts Sapphire. I do not own GenArts Sapphire Plugins, but downloaded a free trial version and installed them for this review. I love the fact that these companies have the balls to let you download and try the plugins. That’s confidence and great marketing.

The training comes on a DVD-ROM, so if you don’t have a dual monitor setup then you will be annoyed but if you don’t have a dual monitor setup you should be annoyed anyway. That being said you won’t be able to watch this on your DVD player. So put the DVD into your computer and double click on the DVD. The great thing about the training is they supply you with the project media. So drag the Project Media folder to your desktop before you get started. So double click on the Sapphire Training and the DVD begins with Todd Prives introducing himself and what to expect from this training DVD.

The Instructor
Todd Prives is the Sr. Business Development and Marketing Manager at GenArts with over 8 years of industry experience in production, post-production and visual effects software. At GenArts, he is responsible for effects development, training, and product demonstrations for customers worldwide.

GenArts Sapphire
What is GenArts Sapphire? Well according to their website…

The gold standard for visual effects, Sapphire equips digital artists with a collection of more than 200 state-of-the-art image processing and synthesis effects such as glows, glints, lightning, film effects, warps and textures. Over the last 13 years, Sapphire has become the plug-in suite of choice for production compositors and editors who require the perfect balance between creativity and productivity. Sapphire is a suite of plug-ins available for a comprehensive range of host platforms, including those from Autodesk, Avid, Apple, Adobe, Quantel and Eyeon, and it supports key industry standards such as AVX, AE and OFX. Sapphire is used extensively and by a broad range of artists and editors in the production and post-production of feature films, broadcast television, commercial advertising and music videos. Sapphire has the distinction of having been a key component of an Academy award-nominated film for the past 12 consecutive years.

GenArts Sapphire is available for the following host platforms:

• Autodesk
• Avid
• After Effects
• Final Cut Pro
• OFX

The Training
In this DVD the training of GenArts Sapphire is for Final Cut Pro and After Effects. Todd spends equal amount of time in each application and sometimes spends time in both applications for the same tutorial.

If you have ever purchased plugins you understand that it is like learning a new application inside another application. This training DVD unlocks the mystery behind what each plugin does. I’ve done a few reviews of plugins and it takes me longer to understand what the plugin truly does than to edit a commercial. With this DVD you will understand not only what the plugin can do but you will be able to customize your own plugin and learn quickly. The DVD is 5 hours long. That sounds like a long time. But if you are a freelance filmmaker or an inhouse editor that is no time at all and you will learn how and when to use the plugins.

The instructor is the key to learn these plugins. You are learning from an expert with the development of these plugins. Todd is a great instructor and doesn’t take for granted that we are not an uber geek (that’s a compliment) and explains to us in easy to understand instructions and goes at a above average pace. If you are intermediate to expert you will love it. If you are a beginner you may watch it over a few times.

The bonus of training with Class on Demand is watching the instructor work and you can pick up tips on how to work in Final Cut Pro or After Effects. The one tip I will pass on is to preview an unrendered effect press Option P. Cool tip and you don’t have to wait for the clip to render then realize you want to change a parameter.

My 2¢
If you spend $1699 for the plugin then I highly recommend you purchase this training DVD for $129.00. Even if you know your way around GenArts Sapphire you can always pick up something from the instructor that will allow you to open your creativity and apply it to your next project. You can order the DVD or purchase it as a download for the Mac or Windows.

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