Digital Compositing for Film and Video, Second Edition
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • An Essential Guide and not just for compositors
  • Must have
  • Nice book
  • A must have for your VFX library
  • Excellent book
Digital Compositing for Film and Video, Second Edition
Steve Wright
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 024080760X

Book Description

Digital Compositing for Film and Video is a hands-on, how-to guide that addresses the problems and difficult choices faced by the professional compositor in real-life situations. This book presents you with tips, tricks and techniques for dealing with the badly shot elements, color artifacts, and mismatched lighting that bedevil compositors. Included in this book is: in-depth, practical methods for bluescreen matte extraction, despill operations, compositing operations, and color correction - the "meat and potatoes" of all digital effects. Written in a completely software independent style, it is totally applicable to any brand of compositing software.

The second edition contains many important additions:
* printed in full color with over 400 color photos and illustrations
* companion DVD with 3.7 gigabytes of test images, including hard to get HiDef video and feature film scans
* new section on working with HiDef video
* new section on digital intermediate, the feature film finishing process of today
* more Adobe Photoshop blending modes and procedures
* new material that reveals the add-mix composite, light wrap, slot gags, and how to defeat banding problems

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars An Essential Guide and not just for compositors.......2007-07-08

If you've ever been on set and heard the catchphrase "fix it in post" this book is for you.

Not only is the information detailed and thorough, but also extremely readable. Some ironic asides demonstrate Wright has the experience to back up his text. He covers all levels of compositing, from basic luminance keying to green-screen/blue-screen, to color corection and matching foreground and background elements, motion tracking, alpha-channels (to premultiply or not premultiply) and the differences between film and video.

The book is not software specific, and the enclosed exercises and demonstrations can be done on most software with compositing features -- including Photoshop!

Why four stars and not five? The extra money demanded for addional exercises seems to be an unfair gouge. But the book is definitely worth the cover price! Even if you have no immediate aspirations at all to composite something, you'll at least see just how tough it can be.

Producers, Directors and Camera departments (aspiring or experienced) can all learn something here -- and with any luck they'll learn it before they light their next green/blue screen.

Too bad the cover is so damn ugly.

5 out of 5 stars Must have.......2007-06-08

I bought it based on the first Edition and I wasn't wrong.
Its even better.

5 out of 5 stars Nice book.......2007-05-13

This is a very complete and engaging book.
It's generic enough so that you can learn a lot regardless of your software/manual tools;
But it focuses enough on certain programs, that it is still useful for those specific users as well.
It was a gift for a relative, but I spent a few hours reading before giving it away...

5 out of 5 stars A must have for your VFX library.......2007-01-05

If you're new to the effect industry or a seasoned pro this is still the bible for understanding what is happening under the hood of a compositing software. This is not software specific, but be it 'Shake' or 'an other' this will help you truly understand the what, when and why.

This book together with - Ron Brinkman's 'The Art and Science of Digital Compositing' - also available at Amazon, will hold you in good stead throughout your career.

It truly gives you the 'wow' factor.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent book.......2006-12-15

Even advanced compositors will glean juicy bits from Steve Wrights' effort. I've read all the standard texts and this one stands with the best. Clear, friendly prose makes this book a comfortable read; read it two or three times and you'll find that you get a little something out of it on each pass. Whether your work end up in print, video or film, this is a must-have book.
Animation Writing and Development, : From Script Development to Pitch (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Animation writing and Development From script to development to pitch
  • Too much information
  • Typical "Mainstream" book.
  • Animation Writing and Development : From Script Development
  • Wow!
Animation Writing and Development, : From Script Development to Pitch (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Jean Ann Wright
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  1. How to Write for Animation How to Write for Animation
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ASIN: 0240805496

Book Description

The art. The craft. The business. Animation Writing and Development takes students and animation professionals alike through the process of creating original characters, developing a television series, feature, or multimedia project, and writing professional premises, outlines and scripts. It covers the process of developing presentation bibles and pitching original projects as well as ideas for episodes of shows already on the air. Animation Writing and Development includes chapters on animation history, on child development (writing for kids), and on storyboarding. It gives advice on marketing and finding work in the industry. It provides exercises for students as well as checklists for professionals polishing their craft. This is a guide to becoming a good writer as well as a successful one.

* Filled with writing exercises that will challenge your writing limits
* Understand inspiration, idea gathering, and story development
* Tips on how to write for kids and why certain stories appeal to different ages
* The how and why of dialogue-what works, and what doesn't

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Animation writing and Development From script to development to pitch.......2007-08-23

An excellent book that covers all aspects of writing for animation, and I do mean ALL aspects. Nothing is left out. Jean Ann Wright really knows her stuff. And buying the book from Amazon was easy and painless. That's why I use them and why I will continue to use them.

2 out of 5 stars Too much information.......2006-09-22

The book covers tons and tons of topics, which is good for a person with no background in animation writing. But the topics written about, from dialogue to outlining, come with no context, no examples to back up what the author is talking about. Wright writes "Keep your characters consistent. They must be true to their core traits and to what has made them who they are." An example from a current or classic cartoon is direly needed. This happens throughout the book. Under the subheading Conflict Can Reveal Information in the dialogue chapter, she writes "conflict in dialogue...is a good way to get information out and keep it interesting." How? Once again this book screams for examples.
The book trys to explain every thing and any thing about animation. A daunting task. But in the process, every thing seems trite. The chapter on writing features, aka movies, is skimmed, and after reading it, will not make your more apt at writing animation films. Scriptwriting for film is different, in many aspects, from tv animation, and in this book it's made to sound that it's the same.
Overall the book is informative, but for someone who grew up with Scooby Doo, He-Man, Thundercats and saw every Disney film and could write endless thesis on Scooby Doo's tremendous appetite, this book lacks substance.

2 out of 5 stars Typical "Mainstream" book........2006-08-08

This book is abit of a bore and turnoff with all it tips and trixs to create scripts that will please the "buyer". It is colored with a tone of a moral panic that is typical for experts that clame to know what people want and don't want. I think it is safe to say that if the creators of "South Park" or "The Simpson" would have read this book and followed it, thoose series would have never been made - maybe not even Bambi with its horrid shooting of bambis mother?

It also deals with animation at its simplest blocks, it tries to show the steps to a finished product - poorly. It does contain a good hint here and there but as a hole it is a complete waist of time, and a poor candidate for a book to understand the teqnical aspects of animation. If you have some basic knowleadge of character, animation and storyboarding and want to learn how to write for animation, buy books about writing instead.
>RS

5 out of 5 stars Animation Writing and Development : From Script Development .......2005-03-10

Jean Ann Wright's "Animation Writing and Development : From Script Development to Pitch", is a comprehensive and well written book, on the subject.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in writing for animation.

5 out of 5 stars Wow!.......2005-03-07

Every industry has its own special requirements. This book "Animation Writing and Development" by Jean Ann Wright should be titled "A Manual for the Working World of Animation". There are not many books that give all the working aspects of a creative vocation. Wow! What to do, how to do it, and still nurture creative desires! Being a college art instructor, all my classes will know about the existence of this fine work. B. McInerney
Producing Animation (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • A nice picture
  • Independent Producer
  • Message to the author
  • A big disappointment
  • Tremendous wealth of info on animaton production
Producing Animation (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Catherine Winder , and Zahra Dowlatabadi
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0240804120

Book Description

Drawing heavily from the authors' twenty years of combined experience, Producing Animation offers a clear overview of this exciting industry and a comprehensive guide to the process of developing a project from conception to final delivery. Written from the perspective of a producer, this book offers the foundation of how a project is created in addition to describing the role of the producer at each phase. Answers are provided to many of the most commonly asked questions about animation ranging from how to enter the business to the average cost and schedule for a prime-time animated series.



Producing Animation has the first-of-its-kind comprehensive chart of accounts for animation, named the Animation Budget Builder, which can be individually tailored for each project. Visit www.MovieMagicProducer.com for more details. Students, aspiring producers, investors, television and
studio executives, artists, film line producers wishing to branch into animation, and legal advisors will find this an invaluable tool. The chapters specifically geared to the pre-production, production and postproduction processes offer animation producers a wealth of practical advice. Numerous illustrations outline the different steps of production. Forms the authors have devised to help streamline the process are also included.

Observations from a wide range of industry professionals such as; studio heads, creators, directors, producers, writers and members of the production crew, give the reader insight into what it takes to be successful in this business. The authors' personal anecdotes at key process checkpoints relay firsthand experience, illustrating some of the pitfalls a producer must learn to circumvent. Detailed information on preparing a thorough production plan including the budget, schedule, and crew plan can also be found in this book.

Complete guide to identifying, pitching, selling, developing,and producing an animated show
Provides comprehensive information on production planning, budgeting, scheduling and tracking your project
Includes a detailed description and flow charts of the production process for traditional (2D) and 3D CGI

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A nice picture.......2006-11-10

A friend of mine who is a production manager recommended this book to me. I think that any person working in production will find it very useful. This is a book that you can always refer to. Even if you are working in the CG industry, most things apply the same. This is a very unique book!

3 out of 5 stars Independent Producer.......2006-05-04

This book is an excellent book for producers ONLY. If you are a director, animator, designer, etc. then this book is not for you at all. For example ,it doesn't mention the aspects of lighting, camera movements, artistic style and the list go on.
Adding to that, the authors seems to have low knowledge of 3D graphic and animation software and hardware. The authors didn't mention and software package at all. Both of the authors seems old in the animation industry, and ,unfortunately, they didn't improve their knowledge to match the new era of 3D animation.

Why three stars then? As I said, if you are producer, this book for you, but still not enough source. Also, if you are a planing in investing in animation business and don't want to go into the details of producing animation, this book is a good source for that purpose.

2 out of 5 stars Message to the author.......2005-10-18

Both industry experienced ladies have done a good drafting
of the content. It looks more theoretical and fails to explain the practical aspects. I work in animation industry, but
it doesn't mean that I have to undervalue artists.
In a animation production both creative and management team
play equal role. But here the artists have been undervalued a lot.
it doesn't cover core production management aspects. Whole
production process has been explained in mechanical procedure.
The animation production company is not a product manufacturing
company.

1 out of 5 stars A big disappointment.......2005-01-11

I was so disappointed with this book. As an animator I bought this book hoping that it would give me some idea about how to start producing my own short films and becoming an independant animator, but I soon discovered that the book had nothing to offer and the authors had no clue at all what problems animators faced in producing their own films.

5 out of 5 stars Tremendous wealth of info on animaton production.......2003-05-01

Okay, you bought every book out there on how to create animation and you have a project you're trying to produce. Well, up until now you would have to track down [costly] freelance producers to put together your budgets and schedules and lose a big percentage of your creation to people who don't hand out trade secrets for free.

Not anymore! This book is packed with charts and diagrams of animation production that can be fit to whatever type of project you are planning on pitching. To the purist this book would seem to be the end of the world. Just because the book describes top heavy management doesn't mean we are obligated to follow [along]. "Producing Animation" lists every job out there, so we can pick and choose which ones are redundant and need to be streamlined.

This book has no place in a purists library. If all you want to do is have your work viewed at experimental film festivals keep working with your small group of volunteers. But those of us who need a resource to take our ideas to TV or the theater need look no further, because as of yet there is nothing else.

Thanks to Catherine and Zahra, you've probably taken much flack for putting this info out there for animators to buy.
Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making & Selling A Short Film (Visual Effects and Animation Series) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • this book officially kicks ass
  • Informative; Possibly Suffers from a Misnomer
  • best buy for beginning animators
  • Why is this so expensive?
  • Highly Recommended!
Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making & Selling A Short Film (Visual Effects and Animation Series) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Mark A. Simon
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0240805135

Book Description

PRODUCING INDEPENDENT 2D CHARACTER ANIMATION takes an in-depth look at the artistry and production process of cel animation in a friendly, how-to manner that makes the sometimes tedious process of animation enjoyable and easy to understand. This book guides animators through every step of planning and production; includes examples of actual production forms, organization tips, screen shots, and sketches from the pre- to post-production processes; and contains detailed information on the hardware and software used to complete each step.

By mapping out the course of how his small studio brainstormed, created, then produced its award-winning animation, TIMMY'S LESSONS IN NATURE, Mark Simon explains to animators what it takesboth creatively and resource-wiseto get their animations to market.

Includes exclusive interviews with Oscar-nominated independent animator Bill Plimpton, Craig McCracken, creator of the POWER PUFF GIRLS, Craig "Spike" Decker of SPIKE & MIKE'S SICK AND TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION, David Fine & Alison Snowden who are the Academy Award-Winning producers of BOB AND MARGARET, Cartoon Network's Senior Vice President of Original Animation, Linda Simensky, and Tom Sito, Co-Director of OSMOSIS JONES...as well as others.

* Take your project from concept to creation, then take it to market

* Learn story development, character design, audio recording, editing, ink and paint, compositing, and the software available to enhance your animated films

* Complete with project organization guidelines, production forms, as well as work samples, trial software, and eight animations on CD-ROM!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars this book officially kicks ass.......2004-07-13

First of all, I just wanted you to know - this book officially kicks ass.

I have been messing around with Flash animation on and off for the past 4 years. Some of my stuff appeared on Howard Stern's syndicated TV show, and I even won a prize in an animated joke competition.

But I have been in a total slump lately - no motivation or understanding of how to improve my skills and not a decent idea to speak of. I haven't posted a new animation on my website in well over a year.

Then I received the book (Producing Independent 2D Character Animation) as a gift. It has been the jump start I needed, like shock treatment for my creativity. I've written some scripts and started storyboarding. I also did an animatic in Flash to check the timing/jokes. With the procedures outlined in the book as my guide, I intend to begin animating again shortly.

Thanks to the author for sharing his knowledge.

4 out of 5 stars Informative; Possibly Suffers from a Misnomer.......2004-07-10

There is some good information in this book. If you have at least a modicum of familiarity with animation though, there's very little new about art or theory or instruction in here. The title and subtitle should be reversed in terms of importance to

Making and Selling a Short Film: Producing 2D Independent Character Animation.

Granted, this is not a flaw with the book, but I am writing this review as a caution to those who might think of it as one thing, when it is in fact another. They don't mean "I produced animation for Mary." They mean "For Mary I was involved in an animation production."

Difference being, aside from a section on tips, there is -no- mention of the process of animating, but rather name-dropping of software/hardware you'll need to run a digital version of the conventional studio, presented vicariously through the author recounting his experiences in making his short film.

All that being said, though, the tips are pretty good and the single most informative part of this entire book are the exclusive interviews with artists and suits from around the industry. These are so insightful (on the respondent's part) and so chock full of good things to know that it might have been more beneficial to chop the price in half and have the whole book just be about the interviews. Still, keeping the price the same, it's almost still worth it.

This is not a bad book by any means; on the contrary, it is one of the better, more clearly written books out there, and though there are too many purposeless illustrations, the ones with purpose are great and it's wonderful eye candy to have them in full color. I never got a chance to see it before I bought it, and ordered it into Barnes and Noble by my house...Now I'll likely be contributing it back into the world via the Marketplace as an interesting one night stand...

5 out of 5 stars best buy for beginning animators.......2004-05-06

explains all resources all indumentary needed and best of all almost everything has high budget and low budget examples.

4 out of 5 stars Why is this so expensive?.......2004-02-25

This book is selling for $27.99 at Barnes and Noble as of 2/24/04 - that's over $20 less than here!

4 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!.......2003-07-12

This book is the most concise, and comprehensive book I've seen on the subject of producing a 2D animated cartoon. While several other books focus on the art of animation, Mark Simon focuses on the nuts and bolts of "getting it done". Topics flow from planning, visualization, character design to storyboarding, audio recording and animatics, through editing, rendering and even distribution options. The sample CD-ROM has a huge assortment of demo programs to help you "work along" with the book. It is by no means the ONLY book you need to embark on animating a cartoon, but it is an essential one for any prospective cartoon filmmaker's library. Interviews with several industry professionals are included and add a perspective from the talent buyer's view. All in all a very handy resource for someone who knows what they want to do, but need guidance to realize their vision.
Visual Effects Cinematography
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not Useful
  • state of art in Visual Effects study
Visual Effects Cinematography
Zoran Perisic
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0240803515

Book Description

Visual effects are an important aspect of film creation, with new technologies and techniques being developed every day. Nevertheless, many of the effects we see on screen are not computer generated; they are done inside the camera or with projection, techniques that have been around for many years. Visual Effects Cinematography examines both traditional and modern visual effects techniques, illustrating how the new techniques have built upon the old in a way that is especially valuable to students. This book examines in detail the various types of equipment used and how they work, and then goes on to discuss the process of planning the shoot.



The most important aspect of visual effects cinematography is the creative problem-solving that happens early in the production, to select the technique that will provide a particular effect and plan the shooting to accommodate the needs of specific scenes. Written by an effects director associated with such blockbuster films as Superman and 2001: A Space Odyssey, this book analyzes the most effective approach to a variety of visual effects problems, detailing the various options available to the filmmaker. Script breakdown, the use of storyboards, and shot planning are covered as part of this creative planning process.

Topics covered in this book include: elements that make up the visual effects shot; methods of compositing visual effects elements; types of mattes and methods of generating them; visual effects tools and planning; types of cameras and their corresponding in-camera effects; projectors and projection

Over 100 illustrations support the technical information contained within these pages. Students, cinematographers, and directors will gain valuable insight into the art and process of visual

Focuses on creative problem-solving and planning techniques
Full explanation of wide range of equipment and its uses
Valuable information cinematographers, directors, and students

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Not Useful.......2000-11-28

I bought this book thinking I could learn some traditional effects stuff that I could use in my own ultra-low budget movies - like how to light a blue screen, do those water cloud fx, pyro stuff, etc... - but there is almost nothing I could use. I could find more useful stuff briefly surfing the net.

A lot of the traditional compositing stuff is outdated because of digital, which wasn't really addressed. A lot of it is too equipment specific, not bothering to clearly explain stuff.

Maybe it's good if you just want to marvel at how complicated fx can get, but if you're looking for stuff you can apply, look elsewhere.

5 out of 5 stars state of art in Visual Effects study.......2000-04-01

Visual effects industry has been exposed to many young people due to the easy access to computer graphics software. However, When people start to realize the scope of industry, they often get frustrated through one's limitation. This is the book that can answer your technical questions in clear manner. Before you start to buy specific books on CG software, check out this book and find out what you are most interested in visual effects area. This book covers the most valuable techniques. Disney style effects, moton control camera and so on. Unless you build strong foundation, your CG compositing skills are just remake-up of what others have done. To be creative, we should master the ABC of technical issues. Other good books are 'CG 101' and 'Art and science of digital compositing'. These are wonderful books in visual effects study.
The Art of Visual Effects: Interviews on the Tools of the Trade
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • GREAT BOOK OVER 100 YEARS VISUAL EFFECTS MOVIES
  • A huge amount of REAL information in here
  • Informative
The Art of Visual Effects: Interviews on the Tools of the Trade
Pauline B Rogers
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  1. Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects
  2. Special Effects: The History and Technique Special Effects: The History and Technique

ASIN: 0240803752

Book Description

On today's feature films and commercials, visual effects are achieved using a wide array of tools and techniques, often combining camera techniques with computer-rendered images. This book presents a unique approach to the subject through the direct experiences of noted artists from the feature film, television and commercial realm.



The book is divided into two parts. Part one explores the historical background, including such tools as double exposure, in-camera mattes, miniature photography, Schufftan-technique, front and rear screen projection, Introvision, color difference mattes, motion control and other building blocks that have brought visual effects to its current status. Part two features a series of in-depth interviews with noted artists covering feature film, television, and commercial projects. The reader will learn how these technicians developed their tools and talents, including education, experimentation and development of their craft. The chapters will explore their approaches to various challenges in the projects they've worked on. Subjects such as blue/green screen, motion control, number encoding, plate photography, as well as miniature and creature design and implementation are only some of the areas that are covered. The artists also discuss how they work with the director of photography, how they document the set, production work, preparation for post production, as well as design and development of various composite elements. In addition to the techniques employed on various projects, the artists discuss specific shots that succeed and others they wish they could do over, and how they would undertake them the second time.

Examines visual effects from recent blockbuster films
Decision-making and problem-solving discussed by leading experts in the field
Useful for directors and producers as well as effects supervisors and cinematographers

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK OVER 100 YEARS VISUAL EFFECTS MOVIES.......2005-03-10

Wow -- what has changed in Hollywood film, television, video and online more than anything are the Special and Visual effects. This book interviews the gurus of the business. From how Lucas changed the film world with his STAR WARS TRILOGY to a fabulous glossary of defining lots of terms you need to know from Anamorphic (wide screen photography with aspect ratio) to Xenon lights. This book is a quick course in modern production and directing even for the non-techie Great for the next-generation of game developers and for those who are venturing into the arena of mobile video and online IPTV etc.

5 out of 5 stars A huge amount of REAL information in here.......2000-08-28

This book is fantastic, it's really just a collection of interviews but the amount of information you'll find in here is staggering.

It does help if you have some background in effects or at least understand the terms used .. but as a digital artist i learnt masses about the physical processes.

worth it for the interview with Douglas Trumbull alone

3 out of 5 stars Informative.......1999-10-04

This book helps give the reader an idea of what tools are at the disposal of Visual effects supervisors. Good read.
Filming the Fantastic:  A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • If you are interested in effects. GET THIS BOOK.
  • I am impressed and highly recommend Mr. Sawicki's Book
Filming the Fantastic: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography
Mark Sawicki
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0240809157

Book Description

Dont waste valuable time and budget fixing your footage in post! Shoot the effects you want effectively and creatively the first time.

This full-color step-by step guide to visual effects cinematography empowers you to plan out and execute visual effects shots on a budget, without falling into the common pitfall of using high-end computer graphics to fix it in post. Learn how to effectively photograph foreground miniatures, matte paintings, green screen set ups, miniatures, crowd replication, explosions, and so much more to create elements that will composite together flawlessly.

Filming the Fantastic focuses on the art and craft of visual effects using real case scenarios from a visual effects cameraman. These lessons from the front line will give you ideas and insight so you can translate your skills into any situation, no matter what camera or software package you are using and no matter if you are using film or digital technology. Learn how to film your fantastic visual effects with this book!

* Hundreds of full-color set photographs show you exactly how it's done
* Includes step-by-step information on green screen setup
* Real-world examples and exercises throughout

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars If you are interested in effects. GET THIS BOOK........2007-08-09

I'm only on the 3rd chapter of this book, but I had to write a review as it has made me incredibly excited!

Not only does it cover a lot of ground, it also is written in a warm tone that makes you excited to try out these techniques. Marc is more concerned with telling a good story and preplanning over the current trend of "fix it in post with CGI and $$$". After reading his introduction alone, I knew I had made the right decision in buying this book.

He also has learned from some of the great FX people of the 70s and infuses this wisdom into the book. In several cases, he outlines in absolute specifics (down to what lens they used). This is invaluable!

In conclusion:
After the first chapter, I immediately wanted to head out and start shooting FX work.

You can't get much better than that.

5 out of 5 stars I am impressed and highly recommend Mr. Sawicki's Book.......2007-07-02

Wow! It covers enough information on the current art of special effects to give the neophyte an excellent overview of what's possible and for the professional to accomplish.
This book is going on my shelf next to Raymond Fielding's The Techniques of Special Effects Cinematography, Bernard Wilkie's Creating Special Effects for TV & Film, Special Effects in Motion Pictures by Frank P. Clark and Bernard Wilkie's The Technique of Special Effects in Television. The huge advantage for Mark's book is that it brings the classic techniques into the digital age. It is full of Illustrations and photos that serve his text well.
Mark's experience from decades of personal and notable professional work is evident from the real world solutions he offers. His personal anecdotes and techical instructions give the reader useful and practical knowledge of a wide variety of techniques.
What I liked is the appreciation and references to the great masters of effects like Willis O'Brien and Albert Whitlock and many others.
Mark Sawicki knows his stuff and presents it for the curious and the advanced film maker.
Well done. I highly recommend this book. A must for Effects Artists everywhere. I kid you not!
Visual Effects for Film and Television (Media Manuals)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • time honored, industry proven
  • An Amazing Reference Work
  • A "must-have" tips, tricks, and techniques manual
Visual Effects for Film and Television (Media Manuals)
Mitch Mitchell
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0240516753

Book Description

* An invaluable insight into the use of visual effects in film and television
* Fully illustrated with diagrams to show you step-by-step techniques
* Covers visual effects processes from front-of-camera to post-production
* Integrated approach to film, video and digital techniques
* Redefines the rules of photography so that they can be broken for effects
* Shows the line of development from the oldest to the newest processes
* A must for cinematographers, editors, designers and students of VFX alike
* Everything you need to know to plan and supervise visual effects shots
* Essential reading for anyone working in commercials/advertising photography or effects

Written by an experienced professional, this manual is the essential guide to understanding the principles and background of modern visual effects.

Visual effects are at the forefront of a digital revolution in the film and video industry and are becoming more and more important to movie language. This book teaches the practical techniques and skills required to incorporate effects successfully into both film and television production.

* Offers an invaluable insight into the use of special effects in film and television
* Step-by-step coverage from moving camera through to post production for ease of understanding
* Learn all the skills and techniques required from the only text available on the subject

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars time honored, industry proven.......2005-12-28

If your looking for a book on time honored, industry proven special effects this is the book for you. If you want to expand your knowledge and understanding of basic principles and historic technique this is the book for you. This book has helped me understand how effects have become what they are today.

However, if you're looking for a book that will immediately address modern computer generated effects look elsewhere. If you're looking for a book that will give you a clear insight into the state of the industry today look elsewhere. If you're looking for a book that will spell out /outline what a modern VFX college course is designed to teach you look elsewhere.

I'm not a professional. I'm just a student aggressively searching for knowledge and this book is packed full of it. So I force myself to keep reading wile I dream of a book that dynamically outlines the nuts and bolts of modern effects technology.

5 out of 5 stars An Amazing Reference Work.......2005-11-08

This is an amazing book. It covers every conceivable aspect of getting visual effects onto film (and videotape), and is particularly strong on historical techniques that are probably not familiar to a new generation of filmmakers, who have been raised to think that computers solve all problems. It's an incredibly dense collection of information.

This is not a book about using computers to do visual effects - it is about capturing, as much as possible, the desired effect in camera, through a variety of ingenious means. I've been working in this field for 25 years, and I still found myself saying "ooohhh, so that's how that works" on several occasions. It's very strong on using historical examples to illustrate particular techniques, which always makes things much clearer (full disclosure: I know the author personally).

As well as describing how to do things (including options and variations on a theme), this book also is very good at pointing out potential problems and things not to do. This is good information, obtained the hard way, and readers should cherish it.

There is also some information on opticals and digital compositing, and even less on straightforward computer generation techniques. But those topics are well served by many, many other books, while Mitchell's book covers territory that is not often treated.

Anyone seriously interested in this topic should read this book.

5 out of 5 stars A "must-have" tips, tricks, and techniques manual .......2005-01-11

Professional digital effects pioneer Mitch Mitchell presents Visual Effects for Film & Television, a thorough guide to visual effect processes used in television complete with step-by-step guides, integrative approaches to film, video and digital techniques, chronologies of development from the oldest to the newest processes, and much more. Mitchell has worked in visual effects since the early days of color television at BBC, and his list of achievements ranges from effects for "Doctor Who" to the recent smash hit movies "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", "Troy", and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". Chapters cover photography for effects, composite photography, combining action with pre-shot backgrounds, computer-based technqiues and much more. Organized for quick and easy reference or on-the-job use, Visual Effects for Film & Television is a "must-have" tips, tricks, and techniques manual especially for professionals, yet also invaluable for students and amateurs seeking to push their talents a step beyond simple home movies.
411 Digital North America: North America's Professional Reference Guide for Visual Effects and Post Production
Average customer rating: Not rated
    411 Digital North America: North America's Professional Reference Guide for Visual Effects and Post Production
    LA 411 Pub Co
    Manufacturer: Media Pub Intl
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Spiral-bound

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    ASIN: 1879930129

    Book Description

    The first national directory of detailed information for post production and digital effects includes listings for the US and Canada. Comes packaged with DVD of show reel clips for 32 industry leaders.
    Visual AIDS in the Productions of the First Piscator-buhne, 1927-28 (European University Studies, Series XXX : Theatre, Film and Television, Vol 40)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Visual AIDS in the Productions of the First Piscator-buhne, 1927-28 (European University Studies, Series XXX : Theatre, Film and Television, Vol 40)
      Sheila McAlpine
      Manufacturer: Peter Lang Publishing
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 3631431449

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