Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects [Paperback]

Patricia D. Netzley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

From the earliest stop-action photography to computer-generated wizardry, special effects have thrilled audiences for more than a century. Films such as "Gladiator," "The Perfect Storm," and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" attest to the increasingly integral part special effects play in a movie's success. This volume does not require readers to have any technical knowledge or be familiar with special effects jargon. With three detailed appendixes, the Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects provides comprehensive coverage about the subject in a way no other resource does. Three appendixes-listing Academy Award(r) winners and nominees for special effects from 1939 to 1998, special effects magazines, and special effects houses-offer additional insight into this fascinating topic. Featuring more than 360 entries, this comprehensive survey unveils the latest techniques and gadgetry used to create some of the cinema's most spectacular effects, the geniuses who bring the magic to the big screen, and the films that have won Academy Awards(r) for special effects or have contributed significantly to the development of the art. The volume also covers more than 120 experts whose techniques and studios have led to great strides being made in special effects.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

An incredible treasury of f/x facts, this volume provides 366 entries on visual, mechanical, and makeup effects and techniques used in film and includes discussions of every movie to win an Oscar for special effects. Some attention is given to significant figures in the field, such as George Pal, but the focus is predominantly on films of the modern era, noting techniques and milestones without burdening the reader with technical jargon. Netzley, the author of several reference books, including Environmental Literature (see the review below), adds useful appendixes on Academy Award winners and nominees, special-effects houses, and specialized magazines. With illustrations, cross references, and numerous secondary bibliographies throughout, this encyclopedia has a scope and quality that no other f/x reference work approaches. It should serve as a good companion to such specialized magazines as Cinefex and Digital Magic. Highly recommended for all film collections.
-Anthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ. Lib., Houston
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

". . . succinctly penned and genuinely interesting entries. . . ." -- Reference Reviews, August 2000

". . . the information here is hard to find elsewhere in such detail. Consider this title for readers with a serious, but not professional interest." -- School Library Journal, August 2000

"...useful criteria for coverage. Recommended for any collection supporting film." -- Choice

"This encyclopedia is a useful addition to any general film collection." -- Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin, June 2000

Students, film buffs, and general readers will enjoy this books brief biographies, definitions of studio jargon, descriptions of special effects techniques, and descriptive lists of effects used in specific films. Many entries include historical notes, and an appendix lists Academy Award winners and nominees for special effects from 1939 to 1998. -- Book News, May 2000 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 291 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816044929
• ISBN-13: 978-0816044924
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Pop Culture

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia of Special Effects, August 5, 2000

By 

M V Teevan (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia Of Movie Special Effects: (Hardcover)

Great subject matter. Great idea. I take my hat off to anyone who has put a book like this together. Unfortuantely, the most cursory review shows many factual inaccuracies, and argualby painful omissions. The book is very much slanted to the cotemporary works, although special effects have been around for 100 years. The preface indicates that beyond 30 or 40 years back accurate information is hard to find; All the more reason that the information that is there be accurate. Only some examples of the incomplete or innacurate info. Some examples;

..."2001: A Space Odyssey" is described with the effects work supervised by Douglas Trumbull. True, but 3 other effects supervisors worked on the movie too and are pretty boldly listed in the end credits! All of the work by all 4 Supervisors is excellent and worthy of credit - (Wally Veevers, Con Pederson and Tom Howard)

..."Silent Running" is described as the first extremely detailed spaceships on screen. Huh, "2001" (3 years previously) is the movie that changed people's perception for realstic looking spacecraft in the manner credited here to "Silent Running".

...Premier visual effects maestro Ken Ralaton has thus far recieved 5 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects work, only three are listed even though the last one was in 1994.

...The book describes the impressive miniatures used in Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" as ranging from 18 to 22 inches in length. I believe this should read more like 22ft.

...Speaking of "miniatures" the description given here is way too focused on motion control photography of spaceship type miniatures, only one facet of this work.

...In a similar vein a master in the field of in-camera high speed minaiture photography was Derek Meddings who won an Academy Award for "Superman". he worked on dozens of movies and is mentioned briefly in the entry on "Bond Movies". He recieves no separate listing. Compare this to 'Ray Park', a talented stunt man / actor who's appeared in 3 EFX heavy movies in recent years and is given an entry of his own.

...Front Projection and Rear Projection systems - popular techniques for compositing live action and effects work, are not listed as "processes".

...Showscan - a large format, high-fidelity movie format - is not used in the "Back to the Future" ride at Universal as listed incorrectly here. The ride uses an Imax-based system. This is ironic as this ride was created by Douglas Trumbull, who invented the superior and comparable Showscan system; An interesting irony worthy of mention?

I had to write in when I read other reviews posted here stating how this is "everything you ever need to know about Special Effects". Notably the book istelf does not claim this, and makes several other disclaimers. This book is a good place to start if you are interested in the craft, but is not the definitive work by any means.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars $85~??, March 19, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Encyclopedia Of Movie Special Effects: (Hardcover)

There's no way this book is worth over $30. It's short, the details are lacking, and the pictures are in black and white. I couldn't imagine spending that much on such a book. If the price tag was smaller, then this would match up, but in its current state, its just not worth it.

1.0 out of 5 stars A DISSAPOINTING BOOK, September 5, 2000

By 

kenneth vernon (Los angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia Of Movie Special Effects: (Hardcover)

I was really looking forward to receiving 'The Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects'. It's been a long time since a really good book on effects has been written (the last ones being the ILM books). The title of this book (and its price!) seemed to hint that this might be an excellent new book.

When the book arrived I first thought that I had been sent the wrong one - the package seemed far too small. But the parcel did indeed contain the book I had ordered - much smaller than I had expected for a book with such a comprehensive sounding title (and large price tag).

The book is arranged alphabetically and offers a curious mixture of entries - some about films, some about effects artists and some about effects techniques.

The films chosen to be featured are an odd selection. Films such as the recent 'Mousehunt'are included whilst effects classics such as 'Gone with the Wind' (important for its Technicolor Matte Paintings) are not.

The technical descriptions are rather confusing, miss out much important information, are incorrect in some cases, and completely igonre some relatively important processes (Sodium Vapor Travelling Mattes, for example) altogether.

There is a smattering of black and white photographs.

The writing itself feels as if it is written by some kid from high school (although the biography at the back of the book assures us that the author has written a number of other earnest but unrelated sounding titles). I feel that this book has been written by a jobbing author who has spent a few months researching an unknown subject and written about it without any real understanding.

This is a pitty as I feel the subject deserves better.