BBC VFX: The History of the BBC Visual Effects Department 1954-2003 [Hardcover]

Mat Irvine (Author), Mike Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1845135563 | ISBN-13: 978-1845135560

Covering shows from Monty Python to Doctor Who to Are You Being Served, the definitive history of the world’s first, largest, and longest-running dedicated TV effects department, written by two long-serving department members

 

The BBC visual effects department closed its doors in 2003, but for almost 50 years it had been responsible for some of television’s most iconic images. Using interviews with the effects designers throughout the department's history together with concept drawings, production photographs, and stills from completed programs, this book tells the story of the VFX department and celebrates the work of a group of craftspeople who lived by the mantra "if it can be imagined, it can be made." Working largely before the age of CGI, the department was responsible for every kind of visual effect, from physical effects such as rain and explosions, to miniatures, models, sculpture, and animatronics, all of which had to be convincing—a challenge in the early days when many programs were shown live. Following a preliminary chapter on effects techniques, the book features in-depth accounts of 50 key shows, representing every genre, from sci-fi and drama to comedies and documentaries. In each we see how the designers worked, from receiving the original script to creating the finished effects. Filled with fascinating insights, wonderful stories, and numerous photographs and artworks that have never been published, this is an essential book for FX fans and anyone who loves television.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mat Irvine and Mike Tucker worked for many years in the BBC visual effects department on a wide variety of programs. Mat Irvine's other television projects have included working on Future Fantastic and codevising Robot Wars and Techno Games. He is the author of Creating Space: The Story of the Space Age Through Models. Mike Tucker runs his own company, the Model Unit, at Ealing Studios, and is the author of such popular Doctor Who novelizations as The Nightmare of Black Island and Snowglobe 7.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Aurum Press (January 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845135563
• ISBN-13: 978-1845135560
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #611,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just Doctor Who, January 10, 2011

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Hoosier Whovian - See all my reviews

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This review is from: BBC VFX: The History of the BBC Visual Effects Department 1954-2003 (Hardcover)

If I had to choose only one word to describe this book it would be; FANTASTIC! Mat Irvine and Mike Tucker, while admitting that it would be impossible to give a truly comprehensive guide to all the programs that the BBC VFX Dept contributed to, have certainly done an exemplary job of choosing a wide selection. As a fan of Doctor Who and Blakes 7 I will admit to being biased towards more photos and larger sections on these programs. However, this is not merely about the sci-fi side of the BBC.

There are 8 sections to the book.

1.INTRODUCTION - A quick explanation as to what brought about the book, as well as their disappointment in not being able to present a fuller presentation of the early years of the dept due to the death of Bernard Wilkie.
2. HISTORY - A very enlightening description of the beginning (1954) and eventual end (2003) of the Dept.
3. Techniques - If you have ever wondered, "How do they do that effect?" This section answers those questions quite well.
4. SHOWCASE - 50 programs are featured in alphabetical order that have benefited from the dept's expertise.
5. AND IN THE END - A brief discussion of digital technology.
6. GLOSSARY - Definitions of terms.
7. INDEX - Obligatory section for finding an exact page for something.
8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - The who, what and why

This book is lavishly illustrated with color photographs throughout. The only 'complaint' is that there were no in depth interviews with members of the department. I would have enjoyed reading John Friedlander's thoughts regarding the making of masks for Doctor Who. Or even from actors who had to work with the effects provided by the department, such as Dave Allen or even the cast of Are You being Served?

As I said, it is not a comprehensive guide to the BBC VFX Dept, but it is a great addition to the works already published on the subject. If you own ACE! by Sophie Aldred & Mike Tucker or Doctor Who-Special Effects by Mat Irvine then this edition will fit in quite well on the shelf next to them.

I do, however, highly recommend this to anyone who is a history buff, sci-fi enthusiast, filmmaker, fan of BBC television, or even people who enjoy a well written book!

This is my first product review I hope it has been helpful to you. And to Irvine and Tucker WELL DONE Sirs!!