Special Effects: An Introduction to Movie Magic (Exceptional Social Studies Titles for Upper Grades) (Library Binding)

~ (Author) "Special effects are illusions that enable filmmakers to fool their audiences into thinking they have seen buildings blow up, rocket ships fly to other planets,..." (more)
Key Phrases: stationary matte, digital matte painting, hanging miniature, Jurassic Park, Bob Burns, Lord of the Rings (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9–The history and techniques of film, from the beginning of cinema to the current digital era, are explained. The first section gives a sense of how the movies have always depended on trick effects, and how imaginative people have found ways to create believable effects on screen. The book introduces the work of such pioneers as Georges Méliès and stop-motion animators Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen. The second section examines how various types of effects are actually created and does a reasonable job of communicating technical information through text and numerous diagrams. While the book is nicely designed, with black-and-white and color photos from well-known movies set against bright blue or green backgrounds, there are some glaring mistakes; e.g., Gromit of Wallace and Gromit fame is incorrectly spelled Grommet. The list of the winners of the Academy Award for Special Effects (through 2004) is a who's who of the last several decades, although one could quibble that the official name of the award is Achievement in Visual Effects. A color image from The Lord of the Rings on the cover is sure to attract attention.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. From the ghosts of the nineteenth-century stage to the astonishing, galactic worlds of Star Wars, this title from veteran science writer Miller offers a fascinating overview of special effects. Miller points out that movies themselves are an illusion, and the first section covers the history and early technology of the field (ghosts were created by reflecting an actor's image onto an angled sheet of glass, for example). The second section focuses on specific contemporary techniques, from miniatures and matte art to "the digital revolution." Frequent inset boxes spotlight topics such as the pioneers of the field and provide tips for pursuing a career in special effects. An excellent mix of photographs, including stills of special-effects triumphs ranging from the original King Kong to The Matrix and close-ups of experts at work, will easily pull browsers and researchers alike to this comprehensive title. A list of films that have won Academy Awards for special effects, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading conclude. Consider multiple copies of this title, which is sure to draw wide interest. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books (CT) (March 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761329188
• ISBN-13: 978-0761329183
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #781,686 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but the price is high, July 9, 2006

By	Celeste Thoms "Moviemaker330" (Rochester,NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is about the history of special effects and the different types of special effects used in movies over the years. It talks about mechanical effects, miniatures, matte art, make-up, digital effects, etc. It also discusses the digital revolution. It's mainly a book for a younger audience.
It's a nice little book about special effects. The price is at $26 and you think you would be getting a big and extensive book on the subject, but the book is only 128 pages, give or take a few pages for the copyright and index. This book isn't worth more than $12 maybe $15. Luckily I borrowed a copy from the library, but I think most people who buy this will be disappointed to open the box and see a small book. I just wanted to tell you that first because I thought that was something important for consumers to know before they buy this book. On the other hand, it is a good introduction on the subject, especially since it's about the length of an introduction of a larger book. It's not a bad book but the price could be better. The price is going to set some people off.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, very comprehensive and cleary shown!, January 10, 2007

By	M. Winston "SFX Lover and Fan" (LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't know why people have reviewed this as a bad book! I feel that the book does a great job of showing an overview of the history of different techniques of special effects. If you know a child or teenager that is interested in special effects (movie magic!), you should get this book for them. I have even enjoyed it very much, as an adult. Also, there's great pictures in this book, and plenty of them. Well worth it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Superficial and too expensive, December 20, 2006

By	P. Pascal "FX Wiz" (France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although the world of Special effects is a great topic for a book, this new offering aimed at young readers is dissapointing on many levels. It is way too expensive for what it has to offer, and dwells too much on movies we already know well. If you are looking for a nice book about effects, you will get much more for your money if you choose other books published before.