The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures [Paperback]

Jeffrey A. Okun (Editor), Susan Zwerman (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240812425 | ISBN-13: 978-0240812427 | Publication Date: July 22, 2010 | Edition: 1

Wisdom from the best and the brightest in the industry, this visual effects bible belongs on the shelf of anyone working in or aspiring to work in VFX. The book covers techniques and solutions all VFX artists, producers, and supervisors need to know, from preproduction, to digital character creation and compositing of both live-action and CG elements. In-depth lessons on stereoscopic moviemaking, color management and digital intermediates are included, as well as chapters on interactive games and full animation authored by artists from EA and Dreamworks respectively. Written by 88 top leading visual effects practitioners and covering everything about visual effects  from pre-production, production, and post-production. Simply a must-have book for anyone working in or wanting to work in the VFX industry.

A Note on the Kindle Version: :There are several images throughout chapters 3, 5, 6, and 7 that are not visible in the Kindle edition of this book due to rights restrictions.:

Special Thanks: The completion of this book required the efforts of many hardworking, talented and dedicated people in order to help it become a reality. Accordingly, the VES and Focal Press would like to offer very special thanks to all of our team Captains and Co-Captains:

Chapter 1:       Michael Fink, Captain                        Jacquelyn Ford Morie, Co-Captain

Chapter 2:       Scott Squires, Captain                        Mat Beck, Co-Captain

Chapter 3:    Bill Taylor

Chapter 4:    John Root, Captain                    Demian Gordon, Co-Captain

Chapter 5:    Rob Engle, Captain                     Lenny Lipton, Co-Captain

Chapter 6:    Marshall Krasser, Captain

Chapter 7:    Kevin Rafferty, Captain

Chapter 8:    Richard Taylor, Captain                     Habib Zargarpour, Co-Captain

Chapter 9:    Stephan V. Bugaj, Captain                     Lyndon Barrois, Co-Captain

Chapter 10:   Dan Novy, Captain                      Stephan V. Bugaj, Co-Captain

Additionally,  we would like to thank Ron Brinkmann and Lenny Lipton for the exhaustive efforts in compiling the Glossary

* Authoritative field guide from the renowned Visual Effects Society provides techniques and insight from the best of the best in VFX * 4 color presentation and visuals from Hollywood feature films provide readers with inspiration * Learn additional skills from the bonus chapters available on www. VESHandbookofVFX.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The VES Handbook of Visual Effects offers a fine technical reference for any college-level collection strong in media technology. It surveys visual effects techniques and best practices learned from both research and practical applications, covering techniques for all VFX artists and producers and applying technical knowledge to industry standards. A 'must' for any involved in any aspect of visual effects production."---BookWatch

"According to Okun, it had been five years since the inception of the book and it took the last three to write and pull it together. What they have created is the definitive visual effects textbook for our times and there is no doubt that it will remain the bible for those laboring in our business for many years to come. If you're in the vfx, animation, gaming or production business in general, you've got to have this book. Not on your shelf, but in your hand as you commence each new project. It's the most definitive book on the market today."--Animation World Network Online

From the Back Cover

The Handbook of Visual Effects is the most complete depository for visual effects techniques and best practices available today. It is filled with hard facts and techniques learned from research, trial and error, and practical experience. Contained in these pages are the tricks, short cuts, lessons, best practices, and wisdom garnered throughout the history of visual effects. Wisdom from the best and the brightest in the industry, this visual effects bible belongs on the shelf of anyone working in or aspiring to work in VFX. The book covers techniques and solutions all VFX artists, producers, and supervisors need to know, from preproduction, to digital character creation and compositing of both live-action and CG elements.  In-depth lessons on stereoscopic moviemaking, color management, and digital intermediates are included, as well as chapters on interactive games and full animation authored by artists and experts. Written by 89 top leading visual effects practitioners and covering everything about visual effects from preproduction, production, and postproduction.  Simply a must-have book for anyone working in or wanting to work in the VFX industry.

 * Authoritative field guide from the renowned Visual Effects Society provides techniques and insight from the best of the best in VFX  * 4 color presentation and visuals from Hollywood feature films provide inspiration  * Learn additional skills from the bonus chapters available on www.VESHandbookofVFX.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 960 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (July 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240812425
• ISBN-13: 978-0240812427
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Game Programming

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Industry Standard Indeed, July 22, 2010

By 

Sean Devereaux "filmsoup" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures (Paperback)

Phenomenal collection of modern day procedures and "tricks" used in visual effects. There is no other single source available that covers our art and techniques more completely. The only way to acquire all this knowledge on your own would be decades experience. I highly recommend this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The VES Handbook of Visual Effects, August 26, 2010

By 

Mitchell Drain - See all my reviews

This review is from: The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures (Paperback)

Well it's about time! The VES Handbook is the definitive resource for anyone interested in the art, technology and business of visual effects. I will refer to it often. As one reviewer said, it will not help you finish a shot but that is not the point. This book gives the "how" and "why" of the ever-evolving visual effects industry. Every producer, director, supervisor or industry hopeful should get a copy. Most vfx artists will already know the techniques of their craft, but this handbook provides detailed explanations of every facet of the vfx pipeline and de-mystifies the processes for those who want a more comprehensive understanding of an industry that touches almost every film, commercial and television show produced today.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, February 23, 2011

By 

Michael Heagle - See all my reviews

This review is from: The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures (Paperback)

I have rarely been as excited about a book as when my copy of the VES Handbook arrived. I have subscribed to (and read from cover to cover) every issue of Cinefex Magazine since 1993 and bunch from before then, and just snapping the book open to a page I found I knew almost nothing! This is as comprehensive a book as I have ever seen, and is to VFX filmmaking what the American Cinematographers Manual is to the camera operator. I wonder how they will keep this relevant as the technology keeps zipping forward, I pray that Okun and company have future editions in their sights.