Coloso​ – The Art of Cinematic Compositing in After Effects (chinese WM) by Infinite VFX (Anurag Raj)

This course is for artists who are tired of basic tutorials and want to build a real, professional VFX workflow inside After Effects. Instructor Anurag Raj skips the fluff and walks you through the exact techniques he uses for global brands and music videos, from ACES color management to multi-pass EXR compositing. You’ll learn how to think like a compositor, not just a button-pusher.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Integrate 2D assets into live-action and CG scenes with realistic lighting and perspective.
• Adopt a professional ACES workflow for accurate color and light in After Effects.
• Composite CG scenes using multi-pass EXR files for precise control over lighting and shading.
• Create atmospheric effects like fog, haze, and fire using layering and blending modes.
• Build a clean, organized After Effects project structure that scales with complex shots.

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic understanding of After Effects interface and navigation.
• Tools: After Effects 2025, Red Giant Complete (recommended), Blender, EmberGen (optional).
• Hardware: A computer capable of running After Effects and handling video compositing tasks.

📝 Description

This isn’t another “drag and drop” VFX course. Anurag Raj teaches you the why behind every decision, from breaking down a reference shot to matching grain and color. You’ll start by setting up a clean, professional workspace and adopting an ACES workflow, which is a game-changer for realistic lighting and color in After Effects. From there, you’ll build worlds from scratch using 2D assets, creating sky replacements, fog, and fire that actually feel like they belong in the scene.

The real meat of the course is in the CG integration sections. You’ll learn how to handle multi-pass EXR renders, keying live-action plates, and compositing CG fire with heat distortion and atmospheric effects. Anurag shows you how to use alpha and luma mattes for precise control, and how to use tools like displacement maps and blend modes to sell the illusion. The goal is to give you a repeatable, professional pipeline that works for music videos, commercials, or personal projects.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Motion designers and video editors who want to level up their VFX compositing skills.
• Self-taught artists looking for a structured, professional workflow to replace random tutorials.
• Anyone who wants to create cinematic, design-forward composites that stand out.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Infinite VFX (Anurag Raj) is a self-taught VFX compositor with over five years of experience. He has worked on campaigns for major brands like Nike, Puma, Google, and Sony, and collaborated with global artists including Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, Don Toliver, SIA, and Jennie. His work spans music videos, commercials, and branded content, and he was awarded VFX Artist of the Year (2024) by EyeCandy. Anurag’s teaching style is grounded in real-world problem-solving, born from his own journey of learning through YouTube and blog articles.

🏁 Final Result

• A realistic CG fire shot composited into a live-action plate.
• A stylized shot built entirely from scratch using 2D assets and compositing techniques.
• A breakdown-ready cinematic composite that demonstrates a professional, multi-pass workflow.