Export QuickTime MOV files from After Effect for Stock Footage Submission

If you are a direct visitor to this page, then this tutorial is connected with other main tutorial which explains the initial details about Stock Footage.

If you wish to visit main tutorial - go below link.
>> Tutorial guide for Stock Video Footage preparation and exporting as a valid QuickTime files for submission.

Now, lets take a look at How to export QuickTime MOV files from After Effect for Stock Footage Submission.

If you prefer to watch video version of this tutorial, Click Here. 


If you are new producer who creating stock footage stock agencies like..
www.pond5.com
www.shutterstock.com
www.istockphoto.com
www.revostock.com
www.clipcanvas.com
www.fotolia.com
www.motionelements.com
www.dreamstime.com ( newest member to stock footage )


Then, this is the file format requirement for a valid QuickTIme mov file for submission.



Quicktime MOV format (.mov) compressed using PhotoJPEG or Motion-JPEG (MJPEG) codecs.
    -  PhotoJPEG codec for Progressive scan video files.
    -  Motion-JPEG codec for Interlaced scan video files.
Compression - 95%, Best
Audio. Any ambient sound that is relevant for the clip or voices are acceptable. But for Animations sound should be mute. 




In this example, I'll be preparing a clip of a Chameleon which I shot using Canon SX260 HS. Its has properties of  1920x1080, 23.976fps, MOV file, 112mb file. I'm going to select 10sec - 21sec segment and export that portion.

1. Open up Adobe After Effect. I'm using After Effect CS6 version. Then import the footage file on to the Project Panel. 
go to File --> Import --> Files (CTRL + I )

After Effect CS6 Interface

2. Then Drag and Drop the footage file on to the "Create New Composition" button on the Project Panel.  This will create a new composition(timeline) with the exact setting of your clip. (i.e. frame resolution, frame rate etc..)




3. In the new composition , I need to select/trim the 10sec to 21sec segment. So my final clip will be around 10 sec long. So it comply with Stock footage clip duration standards which is 3 sec to 30 sec duration. 


Go to the 0:00:10:00 duration of the timeline and Press ( B ) , thats the short cut for trimming start point of the timeline.



Then Go to the 0:00:21:00 duration of the timeline and Press ( N ) , thats the short cut for trimming end point of the timeline.



Then Right Click on the Timeline's work area bar and select "Trim Comp to Work Area". It will extend the timeline to selected portion duration only. 

If you want turn off the audio of the clip you can do it by turning off Speaker Icon which at front of the clip layer at timeline. But in my case I'm going to keep environment ambient sound. You can turn off sound at the export window as well.

4. You can do any color correction, adjust levels to the clip if you want.  Once You've done and ready to export the clip,  then go to, 
Menu --> Composition --> Add to Render Queue  or (CTRL + M) on Windows/ (Command M ) on Mac .




it will bring up the "Render Queue" panel.


To change the video settings as we need, Click on the "Lossless" text on the Render Queue.


This will bring up "Output Module Setting" dialog box. This is the most important setting window where most people will struggle.  Lets do this right. 

From the Format drop down, Select QuickTime. 

** If you can't see Quicktime as an option, then You might not have Quicktime installed on your system. You can download free installation from here.  Install it and restart the After Effect and re-open the project. 

then, Click on the "Format Options" button at Video Output section. 

This is very important. You need to select correct Video Codec from here. Select Photo JPEG from the drop-down. This code will work for most of every footages. Standards says that you should use Photo JPEG, if your footage is Progressive Scan footage. (for computer animations too )




If you footage is Interlaced Scan footage, then you should select Motion JPEG as your video codec. ( You can visit my other tutorial to learn more about Interlaced, Progressive types here )



and once you've set the video codec, then you can adjust Quality of the video. You need to set your Quality to 95,  

Stock agencies ask for Quality up to 95, so the file size will stay on reasonable size. So once you are done, Press OK. 




and If you want to export with Audio, then you should Turn On it.


Then Press OK, and close the dialog box. 

Then Click the yellow color text which says "Best Settings" on the Render Queue. It will bring up the Render Setting dialog box. Normally Quality should be set to "Best" automatically. If not change it to Quality as "Best". 






Now you'll need to set the output saving location for the video file. You can do it by clicking yellow text front of "Output To: " at Render Queue. (Important : you should always set the output location , otherwise later you'll find it difficult to find the finished file. )


Then, You are good to go. Press "Render".


It will take few seconds to export depending on your system. After Effect will give sound alarm as well when the Render is done. :) 
So..Its time to upload the footage for submission. Good Luck.

and here is the submitted stock footage file that I was using here as sample edit. 
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-video-chameleon-concrete-wall-full-shot-animal-looking-camera-turning-head-video38600677


If you would like to follow the same task with different software, 

1. Adobe Premier Pro :  Export QuickTime files from Premier Pro for Stock Footage Submission.


2. QuickTime 7 Pro :  Export QuickTime files from QuickTime 7 Pro for Stock Footage Submission.

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