book

The Filmmaker's Guide to Visual Effects, 2nd Edition

by Eran Dinur

September 2023

Beginner to intermediate

214 pages

7h 10m

English

Routledge

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Who Is This Book for?Visual Effects on a ShoestringAbout This Book

Special Effects or Visual Effects?What Does CGI Really Mean?2D, 3D, and Stereoscopic 3DRealism and PhotorealismThe Danger of OverindulgenceAnimation, Games, and Visual EffectsDigital vs. FilmFilm vs. Television
Common Types of VFX ShotsFix-it ShotsScreen InsertsDriving ShotsRig Removal and Period CleanupSet ExtensionsCrowd Augmentation/Crowd SimulationAction ElementsAdvanced VFXCase Study: Changing a Camera Move in Post
Camera Movement and VFXParallaxPerspective Shift2D WorkflowThe Missing DimensionRecreating the Camera3D Workflow3D vs. 2D2.5D: The Hybrid SolutionCase Study: The Opening Shot of Hereditary
RotoscopingGreen/Blue ScreensThe Challenges of ExtractionBackground MatchingSpillNon-solid Edges
Pre-production CraftsPrevisConcept ArtCamera TrackingLayoutModelingTechnical ModelingOrganic ModelingProcedural ModelingCost-saving AlternativesTexturing and ShadingShadersTexturesUV MappingCase Study: Uncut Gems-Inside the OpalRiggingAnimationMotion CaptureLighting and RenderingCG Lighting EssentialsKey and Fill LightsSky Light and Image-Based LightingGlobal Illumination (Indirect Light)Outdoor Lighting vs. Indoor LightingAmbient OcclusionRenderingCompositingMatte PaintingFX: Particles and Physical SimulationsRigid-body SimulationsCloth SimulationsFluid SimulationsLiquidsCost-saving AlternativesParticle SystemsCrowd SimulationRemote Work and Cloud-Based VFX Facilities
Shot 1: Background CleanupShot 2: The Homestead StrikeShot 3: Piranha AttackAsset Work vs. Shot WorkShot 4: Tsunami Mayhem
Preliminary VFX BreakdownThe VFX Supervisor and VFX ProducerModel 1: Dedicated Production VFX Supervisor and ProducerModel 2: Company In-house VFX Supervisor and ProducerPreliminary BiddingInside the Bidding ProcessStoryboardingPrevis and Concept ArtVFX Production MeetingsTech ScoutsDetailed Budget and ScheduleCase Study: Ellis Island
Collaborating with the VFX SupervisorOn-set Data AcquisitionCamera InformationLens GridsColor Chart ReferenceChrome Ball and Gray BallOn-set Reference PhotographySpherical HDRI Light DomesLidar 3D ScanningPhotogrammetryGreen/Blue ScreensAction CoverageScreen ConsistencyDirt and TearsFoldsNon-green PartsCast ShadowsTracking MarkersSmoke and AtmosphericsReflectionsLighting Green ScreensRoto or Green Screen?Shooting VFX ElementsCamera MovementCamera Angle and PositionLens TypeFramingChoosing the Right BackgroundFrame RateCase Study: The Crane DareShooting Driving PlatesCrowd TilingSetting up the CameraLocked-off CameraMoving CameraSetting up the CrowdMoving and Rearranging the ExtrasRoto or Green Screen?Shooting SpritesCase Study: Multi-camera Crowd TilesScreen Inserts SetupStunts and Visual EffectsSpecial Effects and Visual Effects
The Post-production VFX WorkflowVFX Basic Color WorkflowImage Formats in VFXBit Depth (Color Depth)Video FormatsColor Space and ACESThe Spec Sheet and Pipeline TestVFX and EditorialThe VFX EditorWhen to Deliver Shots to the VFX TeamHandlesEdit Refs (Offlines)Editorial TempsBudgeting and SchedulingBudget UpdatesChange OrdersSchedulingThe Reviewing ProcessMockupsStyle FramesAnimation Versions (aka Playblasts)TurntablesCompFinal ApprovalCommunicationProviding Feedback
Real-time Rendering in the StudioReal-time PrevisAugmented Reality and On-set PrevisVirtual ProductionA Little PerspectiveOld Technique—New TechnologiesVirtual 3D EnvironmentsUnderstanding the LimitationsThe Bottom Line
Machine LearningTechnical AssistanceFace Replacement2D to 3D ConversionCreative AssistanceVolumetric CaptureMarker-less Motion CapturePhotoreal Intelligent Digi-doublesOn We Go

Overview

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 this book, Eran Dinur introduces readers to visual effects from the filmmaker’s perspective, providing a comprehensive guide to VFX, from pre-production through post-production.