Exploring Visual Effects (Design Exploration) [Paperback]

Billy Garfield Woody II (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 140187987X | ISBN-13: 978-1401879877 | Publication Date: April 14, 2006 | Edition: 1

Visual effects are among the most exciting-and one of the most in-demand-aspects of contemporary film-making. But not all visual effects are created using prohibitively expensive equipment. For the first time, this compelling art form is explained and made accessible to aspiring film-makers and artists in a unique book/DVD combination. Exploring Visual Effects describes and illustrates each phase of visual effects production, from design and research through model building, photography, digital editing, and composition. The authors, drawing on extensive industry and classroom teaching experience, present a range of options for creating Hollywood-style effects using traditional and contemporary technologies-with explanations on how to choose the right technique based on content, budget, and time. The creative and budget-conscious ideas in this book can be explored using commonly available supplies and software-an important consideration when it comes to building the confidence to create convincing visual effects. The accompanying DVD provides a striking visual counterpoint to the text and features a gallery of downloadable stills and video clips for practicing techniques used in the video demonstrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 edition (April 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140187987X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401879877
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,648,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginner and veteran, May 15, 2006

By 

Thomas J. Mahoney (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Visual Effects (Design Exploration) (Paperback)

I have woked in visual efeects for over 10 years and I like to think I know a great deal about my field but I still found that this book provded me with additional information on subjects I was already aquainted with. If you are new to visual effetcs the book provides a good overview of the many crafts associated with VFX and it is also a great refresher for those with experience. Mr Woodys book covers a wide spectrum of concpets and disciplines used in visual effects work in an enjoyable, easy to read style. If you're looking to get into VFX this is a great place to start.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super helpful to all filmmakers, April 25, 2006

By 

Reese Golchin "Reese Golchin" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Visual Effects (Design Exploration) (Paperback)

Nothing will scare an aspiring filmmaker like the challenge of needing visual effects to complete a shot. Exploring Visual Effects is a fantastic tool for filmmakers of any skill, from beginners and students to experienced feature helmers. The options it presents are easily described and artfully presented. The authors style is very accessible. In the realm of "must have" books for fledgling directors, this is certainly one of them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great overview!!!, April 25, 2006

By 

Peter hans - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Visual Effects (Design Exploration) (Paperback)

This text is very cool. It goes from getting crews together, through pre-production to lighting, some model making, in camera effects, digital. The lighting section is cool because it has specs about basic lighting instruments most students have available to them in school from their theatre department! The DVD is very cool, it has demo versions of Apple's Shake and Motion software and a bunch of other cool things. The writing style is also easy and informal, it feels like you are having a conversation with the author.