Editing And Special Visual Effects

Most moviegoers think of editing and special effects as distinct components of the filmmaking process. We might even conceive of them as polar opposites, since effective film editing is often subtle and almost invisible, whereas special effects frequently call attention to themselves. Yet, film editors and visual effects artists have worked hand-in-hand from the dawn of cinema to the present day. Editing and Special/Visual Effects brings together a diverse range of film scholars who trace how the arts of editing and effects have evolved in tandem. Collectively, the contributors demonstrate how these two crafts have been integral to cinematic history, starting with the “trick films” of the early silent era, which astounded audiences by splicing in or editing out key frames, all the way up to cutting-edge effects technologies and concealed edits used to create the illusions. Throughout, readers learn about a variety of filmmaking techniques, from classic Hollywood’s rear projection and matte shots to the fast cuts and wall-to-wall CGI of the contemporary blockbuster. In addition to providing a rich historical overview, Editing and Special/Visual Effects supplies multiple perspectives on these twinned crafts, introducing readers to the analog and digital tools used in each craft, showing the impact of changes in the film industry, and giving the reader a new appreciation for the processes of artistic collaboration they involve.

The Filmmaker’s Guide to Visual Effects offers a practical, detailed guide to visual effects for non-VFX specialists working in film and television. In contemporary filmmaking and television production, visual effects are used extensively in a wide variety of genres and formats to contribute to visual storytelling, help deal with production limitations, and reduce budget costs. Yet for many directors, producers, editors, and cinematographers, visual effects remain an often misunderstood aspect of media production. In this book, award-winning VFX supervisor and instructor Eran Dinur introduces readers to visual effects from the filmmaker’s perspective, providing a comprehensive guide to conceiving, designing, budgeting, planning, shooting, and reviewing VFX, from pre-production through post-production. The book will help readers: Learn what it takes for editors, cinematographers, directors, producers, gaffers, and other filmmakers to work more effectively with the visual effects team during pre-production, on the set and in post, use visual effects as a narrative aid, reduce production costs, and solve problems on location; Achieve a deeper understanding of 3D, 2D, and 2.5D workflows; the various VFX crafts from matchmove to compositing; essential concepts like photorealism, parallax, roto, and extraction; become familiar with the most common types of VFX, their role in filmmaking, and learn how to plan effectively for the cost and complexity of VFX shots; See visual effects concepts brought to life in practical, highly illustrated examples drawn from the real-world experiences of industry professionals, and discover how to better integrate visual effects into your own projects.

Learn concepts central to visual special effects using the free Black Magic Design Fusion 8.0 software package. This book also provides foundational background information regarding concepts central to digital image compositing, digital video editing, digital illustration, digital painting, 3D, and digital audio in the first six chapters on new media theory, concepts and terminology. This book builds on the foundational concepts of digital image compositing, digital audio, digital video, digital illustration and digital painting. VFX Fundamentals introduces more advanced VFX concepts and pipelines as the chapters progress, covering topics such as flow node compositing, timeline animation, animated polyline masking, bluescreen and greenscreen matte pulling (generation), using Primatte and Fusion 8 Ultra Keyer, motion tracking, 3D rendering and compositing, auxiliary channels, and particle systems and particle physics dynamics, among other topics. “br>What You'll Learn See the new media components (raster, vector, audio, video, rendering) needed for VFX Discover the concepts behind the VFX content production workflow Install and utilize Black Magic Design Fusion 8 and its Visual Programming Language Master the concepts behind resolution, aspect ratio, bit-rate, color depth, layers, alpha, and masking Work with 2D VFX concepts such as animated masking, matte pulling (Primatte V) and motion tracking Harness 3D VFX concepts such as 3D geometry, materials, lighting, animation and auxiliary channels Use advanced VFX concepts such as particle systems animation using real-world physics (forces) Who This Book Is Fordiv SFX artists, VFX artists, video editors, website developers, filmmakers, 2D and 3D animators, digital signage producers, e-learning content creators, game developers, multimedia producers.

Designed to trick the eye and stimulate the imagination, special effects have changed the way we look at films and the worlds created in them. Computer-generated imagery (CGI), as seen in Hollywood blockbusters like Star Wars, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Men in Black, and The Matrix, is just the latest advance in the evolution of special effects. Even as special effects have been marveled at by millions, this is the first investigation of their broader cultural reception. Moving from an exploration of nineteenth-century popular science and magic to the Hollywood science fiction cinema of our time, Special Effects examines the history, advancements, and connoisseurship of special effects, asking what makes certain types of cinematic effects special, why this matters, and for whom. Michele Pierson shows how popular science magazines, genre filmzines, and computer lifestyle magazines have articulated an aesthetic criticism of this emerging art form and have helped shape how these hugely popular on-screen technological wonders have been viewed by moviegoers.

First Published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Creative Postproduction explains the creative aspects of film and video postproduction so as to enhance the understanding and appreciation of film and television. This text provides essential insight into the postproduction process for general film students; those headed for careers as directors, cinematographers, producers, or writers; and those who want to pursue a career in the area of postproduction itself. While focusing on the creative aspects, it discusses many technical considerations along the way and covers up-to-date technological developments. With clear language and a wealth of real-life experience, Creative Postproduction shows how creativity continues to the very end of the filmmaking process. Features: Written by four award-winning, working professionals in film and television, providing students with first-hand insight into the business. Includes comprehensive coverage of editing, sound and visual effects, postproduction processes, and film music, giving students a well-rounded view of the entire postproduction process. Provides current information on digital filmmaking, video, and other processes, which is of special interest to students who commonly use these media. Stresses the esthetic and creative aspects of film work after shooting is complete, an increasingly important aspect of filmmaking as more primary creation occurs in postproduction than ever before. Features an extensive glossary of postproduction terminology, giving students a resource to recent terminology that is not yet widely understood.

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/supervisors need to know, from breaking down a script and initial bidding, 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. From predproduction to acquisition to postproduction, every aspect of the VFX production workflow is given prominent coverage. VFX legends such as John Knoll, Mike Fink, and John Erland provide you with invaluable insight and lessons from the set, equipping you with everything you need to know about the entire visual effects workflow. Simply a must-have book for anyone working in or wanting to work in the VFX industry.