The Question: Are there any video clip collections of people on transparent backgrounds, like they have for photography collections?

While the traditional way of compositing video clips of people into miscellaneous backgrounds has been to shoot against a blue or green screen (with proper lighting, distance, shadows, and keying), the new digital artist is looking for a more time-efficient and cost-effective solution. Many people are looking for a solution that emulates the dozens of object- and people-oriented photo disc series that are available on the market for graphic designers. However, for video users there’s only one source that I’m aware of—Post Holes in North Carolina.

Post Holes produces royalty-free, stock footage clips that are pre-matted and ready to use in motion graphics applications and nonlinear editing systems. All clips sold by the company are full-motion QuickTime clips that were originally captured using High Definition (HD) cameras. The generic subject matter of these clips can be used to create program opens, segment bumpers, commercial spots, and much more. They can also be combined with animated text, moving backgrounds, and your favorite special effects plug-ins to give each clip a unique look. They’re the perfect complement to any motion designer’s graphics toolbox.

Features and benefits
Post Holes clips are unique because from the beginning they were designed for use in motion graphics compositions. Most stock footage collections contain only full-frame imagery. While that footage has its uses, it’s inappropriate for graphic-intensive compositions. Motion graphic artists and video editors need stock images that act as individual keyable layers. Post Holes clips do just that by allowing users to drag-and-drop them into any software that supports the use of QuickTime media with alpha channels.

In software applications such as Adobe After Effects, a user imports a Post Holes clip and finds that it immediately composites over the background. No software keying is needed. The user can then quickly add backgrounds, text, and special effects to create a unique composition. They can spend time creating their end product rather than pulling a key or hand-matting full-frame footage. Also, because Post Holes clips act as a discrete graphics layer, plug-in effects can be applied without affecting the remaining composition. Users can apply motion effects, glows, light rays, etc. and only the clip layer will be affected.

Because image quality is ultimately what matters most, Post Holes clips are captured in High Definition (HD). Throughout the postproduction process, clips are maintained in their uncompressed state. After the keys are complete, a lossless QuickTime compression codec (Animation codec at 100%) is used to create the final files for distribution to the end user. The SD and PAL versions are created from the HD versions to ensure that they maintain as much of the HD quality as possible.

Tech specs
As previously mentioned, Post Holes clips are provided in the QuickTime format. Your editing or graphics system must have QuickTime 6 or later installed in order to be able to recognize and import Post Holes media. If you don’t have the latest version of QuickTime installed on your computer, you can download it from www.apple.com/quicktime.

Standard Definition (SD) Post Holes clips are formatted to the CCIR 601 NTSC format of 720×486 using nonsquare pixels at a frame rate of 29.97 frames per second (fps), progressive (no interlacing). High Definition (HD) Post Holes clips are formatted to 1920×1080 square pixels at a frame rate of 29.97 fps, progressive (no interlacing). Most importantly, both SD and HD media contain embedded premultiplied over black alpha channel information.

Software import guidelines

To use in Adobe After Effects
In my opinion, After Effects is the best program to design with when using Post Holes clips. Each clip has alpha channels that are premultiplied over black. By default you should be able to import them into AE and have them work correctly. But you may want to make sure that under the Interpret Footage settings for the clip, its radio button is on Premultiplied – Matted with Color.

To use in Apple Final Cut Pro 4
The default alpha channel setting in Final Cut Pro is Straight. To get the clips to composite correctly in Final Cut Pro, change the alpha channel (or alpha type) setting from Straight to Black.

Note: Compositing Post Holes clips in a Final Cut Pro sequence using the DV codec may produce undesirable results due to compression artifacts. For best results, import the Post Holes clips into a Final Cut sequence using None or Animation codecs set to Best quality. After compositing, compress the composited footage in a DV codec sequence for output to a DV deck or camera via FireWire.

To Use in Avid Systems
The premultiplied alpha channels in Post Holes clips are only supported in Avid DS systems. When importing Post Holes media into an Avid DS system, make sure the Capture Settings have the Keep Alpha and Premultiplied Alpha boxes checked. Refer to your Avid software manual for guidelines for importing Post Holes media to match the resolution of your current sequence.
Unfortunately, Avid Express and Avid Adrenaline systems don’t currently support the premultiplied alpha channels. You can use Post Holes clips in these Avid systems, but you might notice a faint dark edge around the image. On many backgrounds this edge isn’t noticeable, and to many users this artifact isn’t noticeable or significant. The import settings for NTSC clips for an Avid Express or Avid Adrenaline system are as follows: 601 Non-Square for Aspect Ratio; 601 for Color Levels; Non-interlaced for Field Order; and Invert Existing Alpha for Alpha Channel.

Post Holes Product List

The following is a list of DVD collections offered by Post Holes that contain pre-matted, full-motion video clips. All are available in NTSC-SD and PAL, and all except Emotion 1 and Characters 1 are available in HD.

EMOTION 1 contains 30 clips featuring people exhibiting various emotions ranging from laughter and smiles to sadness and disappointment. Emotion 1 clips are perfect for use in any composition with a human interest orientation.

EMOTION 2 contains 30 clips of people arranged in various family and friendship groups. The mix-and-match nature of the clips is great for commercials spots, news promos and bumpers, program opens, and church announcements or promotions.

CHARACTERS 1 contains 30 clips featuring a cast of screwball characters destined to add some much needed fun and style to any project. Characters 1 clips are perfect for use in any composition where humor is a must.

CHARACTERS 2 “Holidays” contains 28 clips of holiday characters and people engaged in holiday activities. It includes Santa clips, New Year’s partiers, Halloween characters, Uncle Sam, Pilgrims, and more. Perfect for commercial spots and holiday announcements.

CHARACTERS 3 “Sports” includes 30 clips of sports action. Features football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, cheerleading, and more. Various angles and activities from each sport are depicted. Perfect for commercials, program opens, news opens and bumpers, or corporate team-building videos.

Individual clips: $40
Standard Definition (SD) collections: $199
High Definition (HD) collections: $399

Available at: www.post-holes.com
Phone: 877-882-8808