video-motion-graphics — Claude Code skill: how to install and use
Applies Disney's 12 animation principles to After Effects and Premiere Pro workflows. Useful for refining easing, keyframe timing, and expressions in motion graphics projects.
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a claude-codeWhat video-motion-graphics does
This skill translates Disney's 12 animation principles into guidelines for After Effects and Premiere Pro. It contains keyframing rules alongside reusable JavaScript expressions. For elastic bounce, it provides an overshoot script with freq = 3 and decay = 5. It also includes layer stagger logic based on layer index with a 0.1-second delay.
The reference outlines exact frame counts for common elements. Text reveals take 15 to 25 frames, while logo animation runs for 30 to 60 frames. Lower thirds need 12 to 18 frames on entrance. Linear keyframes are out. The guide requires 2 to 4 frames of reverse anticipation before the main move, and secondary elements must continue 4 to 8 frames past the primary stop.
RAM preview can deceive you on timing. You have to check playback at real 1x speed to judge acceleration. At 24fps, motion blur is non-negotiable, because without it the movement stutters. That fact alone requires testing curves in the Graph Editor and checking broadcast safe zones early.
What it helps with
- implement elastic overshoot using JavaScript expressions
- calculate frame durations for logo reveals and lower thirds
- set up anticipation and follow-through delays across layers
- adjust velocity curves in the Graph Editor without linear keyframes
- verify compositions against broadcast safe areas before export
Example prompts for the agent
- Help me animate a lower third entrance in After Effects using the video-motion-graphics skill
- Write an overshoot and layer stagger expression for my After Effects text reveal
- How many frames should I allocate for logo animation and reverse anticipation?
How to install video-motion-graphics
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/video-motion-graphics/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/video-motion-graphics/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/video-motion-graphics/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/video-motion-graphics/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles video-motion-graphics2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/video-motion-graphics/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/01-by-domain/video-motion-graphicsManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/video-motion-graphics/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about video-motion-graphics
How to install video-motion-graphics in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill video-motion-graphics -a claude-code. This installs the skill file into your Claude Code environment.
What does video-motion-graphics do?
It provides guidelines for applying Disney's 12 animation principles to After Effects and Premiere Pro, including ready-to-use JavaScript expressions and frame timing tables.
What frame durations does the skill recommend for text and lower thirds?
Text reveals are timed at 15 to 25 frames with Ease out easing. Lower third entrances take 12 to 18 frames, while exits use 8 to 12 frames with Ease in.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
---
name: video-motion-graphics
description: Use when creating After Effects compositions, Premiere Pro motion, video titles, explainer videos, or broadcast motion graphics.
---
# Video Motion Graphics
Apply Disney's 12 animation principles to After Effects, Premiere Pro, and video motion design.
## Quick Reference
| Principle | Motion Graphics Implementation |
|-----------|-------------------------------|
| Squash & Stretch | Overshoot expressions, elastic motion |
| Anticipation | Pre-movement, wind-up keyframes |
| Staging | Composition, depth, focus pulls |
| Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose | Frame-by-frame vs keyframe animation |
| Follow Through / Overlapping | Delayed layers, expression lag |
| Slow In / Slow Out | Graph editor curves, easing |
| Arc | Motion paths, rotation follows path |
| Secondary Action | Environment response, particle systems |
| Timing | 24/30/60fps considerations |
| Exaggeration | Scale beyond reality, dramatic motion |
| Solid Drawing | Z-space, 3D consistency, parallax |
| Appeal | Smooth, professional, emotionally resonant |
## Principle Applications
**Squash & Stretch**: Use scale property with different X/Y values. Overshoot expressions create elastic motion. Shape layers deform more naturally than pre-comps for organic squash.
**Anticipation**: Add 2-4 frames of reverse motion before primary action. Wind-up for reveals—slight scale down before scale up. Position anticipation: move opposite direction first.
**Staging**: Use depth of field to direct focus. Vignettes frame important content. Motion blur on secondary elements. Composition leads eye to focal point.
**Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose**: Traditional frame-by-frame for character animation. Keyframe-based for graphic animation. Most motion graphics are pose-to-pose with expression refinement.
**Follow Through & Overlapping**: Use `valueAtTime()` expressions for lag. Stagger layer animation with offset. Secondary elements continue 4-8 frames past primary stop. Parent/child relationships with delayed response.
**Slow In / Slow Out**: Master the Graph Editor—never use linear keyframes. Easy Ease is starting point, customize curves. Bezier handles control acceleration. Speed graph shows velocity.
**Arc**: Enable motion path editing. Auto-orient rotation to path. Add roving keyframes for smooth arcs. Natural motion rarely travels in straight lines.
**Secondary Action**: Particles respond to primary motion. Shadows and reflections follow. Background elements shift with parallax. Audio waveforms drive visual elements.
**Timing**: 24fps: Cinematic feel, motion blur essential. 30fps: Broadcast standard, smoother. 60fps: Digital-first, very smooth. Hold frames (2s, 3s) for stylized timing.
**Exaggeration**: Motion graphics can push further than reality. Scale overshoots to 120-150%. Rotation extends past final. Color and effects can punctuate exaggeration.
**Solid Drawing**: 3D layers maintain spatial consistency. Parallax creates depth hierarchy. Consistent light direction across elements. Z-positioning creates believable space.
**Appeal**: Smooth interpolation, no jarring cuts. Color grading unifies composition. Typography has weight and personality. Motion feels intentional and professional.
## After Effects Techniques
### Overshoot Expression
```javascript
// Apply to any property for elastic overshoot
freq = 3;
decay = 5;
n = 0;
if (numKeys > 0) {
n = nearestKey(time).index;
if (key(n).time > time) n--;
}
if (n > 0) {
t = time - key(n).time;
amp = velocityAtTime(key(n).time - .001);
w = freq * Math.PI * 2;
value + amp * (Math.sin(t * w) / Math.exp(decay * t) / w);
} else {
value;
}
```
### Stagger Expression
```javascript
// Apply delay based on layer index
delay = 0.1;
d = delay * (index - 1);
time - d;
```
## Timing Reference
| Element | Duration | Easing |
|---------|----------|--------|
| Text reveal | 15-25 frames | Ease out |
| Logo animation | 30-60 frames | Custom curve |
| Transition | 10-20 frames | Ease in-out |
| Lower third in | 12-18 frames | Ease out |
| Lower third out | 8-12 frames | Ease in |
## Export Considerations
- Preview at final framerate
- Enable motion blur for fast motion
- Check timing at 1x speed, not RAM preview
- Account for broadcast safe areas
- Test on target display format
© dylantarre · MIT · dylantarre/animation-principles