how to make moodboard edits | after effects, by liontarth on YouTube. 3 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Create a new composition at 1080x1920 for a vertical edit, or 1920x1080 for widescreen. Set the frame rate to 30 fps and the duration to about 10 to 15 seconds.
Import your images and overlays with File > Import. Drag the images into the Project panel folder so they stay organised.
Drag your first image onto the timeline. Scale it with S so it fills the frame, then shorten the layer to the length you want it on screen.
Add the rest of your images on separate layers, one after another. Stagger them so each one appears in sequence.
Animate each image with a simple scale or position keyframe. Press P for position or S for scale, click the stopwatch, then move the playhead and change the value.
Drop a bokeh or light leak overlay on top of the stack. Set its blend mode to Screen or Add so the dark parts disappear.
For a quick flash, add a white solid and animate its opacity from 0 to 100 and back over a few frames. The BCC plugin can do this too if you have it.
Add music by dragging an audio file into the timeline. Trim it to match the length of your composition.
Preview with the spacebar, fix any timing issues, then export with Composition > Add to Render Queue or Ctrl+M.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep a consistent colour palette across your images so the edit feels like one moodboard.
Use short layer durations of about 0.5 to 1 second to keep the pace lively.
Lower the opacity of overlays to around 30 to 60 percent so they do not wash out the images.
Save your project before rendering in case After Effects crashes on export.
Questions
Do I need the BCC plugin to make this edit?
No. You can create a flash with a white solid and opacity keyframes. The plugin only makes the effect quicker.
What size should a moodboard edit be?
Use 1080x1920 for TikTok, Reels or Shorts, or 1920x1080 for YouTube. Match the frame rate to your source clips.
Where can I find bokeh and light leak overlays?
Search for free overlay packs online, or film your own with a phone. Check the licence before using them in public posts.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
