VFX History: the origin of After Effects

VFX History: the origin of After Effects

Graham Quince June 25, 2026

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Before it was Adobe, it was CoSA. This is the VFX history of Adobe After Effects.

The industry-standard motion graphics and visual effects software started life in a small Rhode Island office in 1993. The early days of the Company of Science and Art (CoSA) were anything but easy, but their chaotic journey led to a digital filmmaking tool that changed Hollywood.

In this deep dive, I explore the 1990s television landscape and the conditions that had the industry was eager for change. To tell this story right, I got to speak to the true pioneers of motion design:

Brian Maffitt (the creator of the first-ever AE video tutorials)

Chris and Trish Meyer (original beta-testers and authors of the legendary Creating Motion Graphics books)

Watch as I dust off a Mac 1994 emulator to try out After Effects v1.0, joined by two titans of modern YouTube tutorials:

- @JakeInMotion

- @SternFX

Finally, I investigate one of the biggest myths in movie VFX history: Was After Effects actually used to create the famous Nedry's Elvis King Virus screen animation in Jurassic Park (1993)? This would make the movie the first use of After Effects on film.

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Videos and Links mentioned

Film Recorders: How Did They Get CGI Onto Film

Guide to running After Effects v1 - KoFi

Video guide to running the emulator

InfiniteMac.org

Bibliography

Books and Print Media

Shay, D. and Duncan, J. (1993) The Making of Jurassic Park. Boxtree

Duncan, J. (1993) The Making of Jurassic Park', Cinefex, Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects. CMP Books [Includes an Afterword by D. Simons]

Films and Documentaries

Jurassic Park (1993) Directed by Steven Spielberg [Film]. USA: Universal Pictures

Making the Dinosaurs (1993) [Documentary]. USA: Universal Studios Home Video

Light & Magic (2022) Directed by Lawrence Kasdan [Television Series]. Disney+

Websites and digital archives

Company of Science and Art (n.d.) CoSA Home Page. Available at Cosa.com

SlashCAM . After Effects 1 Demo Reel (1993)

Silicon Graphics (2012) 1990 - Silicon Graphics Powervision Show. Available at: 1990 - Silicon Graphics Powervision Show

Silicon Graphics (2013) Sgi Demo tape from 1990ish. Available at: Sgi Demo tape from 1990ish

Total Training (2021) Adobe After Effects with Brian Maffitt 1997 Comprehensive Training. Available at: Adobe After Effects with Brian Maffitt 199

Microsoft Corporation (2021) Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 97 presentation . Available at: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 97 presenta

The Kyoobur Company (2022) Evolution Of QuickTime Sample Videos 1991-Present. Available at: Evolution Of QuickTime Sample Videos 1991-

VFX Tutor (2015) VFX Core Skills - Part 17 - Compositing - Nuke Slap Comp and Distortion Workflow. Available at: VFX Core Skills - Part 17 - Compositing -

Leno, J. and Gates, B. (2023) Microsoft Windows 95 Launch with Bill Gates & Jay Leno (1995). Available at: Microsoft Windows 95 Launch with Bill Gate

Oscars (2019) 2019 Sci-Tech Awards: David Simons, Daniel Wilk, James Acquavella, Michael Natkin, David M. Cotter. Available at: 2019 Sci-Tech Awards: David Simons, Daniel

TR3X PR0D CT 0NS (2019) NBC Logo History. Available at: NBC Logo History

Kirky A (2026) Apple Macintosh LC Advert British TV December 1990 Available at: Apple Macintosh LC Advert British TV Dec

June 19, 2026How to Run the Original 1993 After EffectsHow to the original After Effects v1 in an emulator, and you

June 7, 2026How to Recreate the Star Trek TNG jump to warp in After EffectsIn 1987, John Knoll at ILM had to use labor-intensive, 3D slitscan

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