Special Effects

Special Effects: How To Create a Hollywood Film Look on a Home Studio Budget
Michael Slone
This book includes step-by-step instructions on creating a wider variety of basic and advanced special effects techniques that will enhance your film or video project. Also, you'll find insider information from professional special-effects artists who have worked on such movies and shows as Star Trek: Voyager, Sleepers, Contact, War of the Worlds, Lost, Alias, and Star Wars. Softcover, 228 pp. $41.95.

Bluescreen Compositing
John Jackman
Master the art and technique of blue and greenscreen compositing with this comprehensive how-to course in creating effective and realistic composited scenes in video formats. Written for the professional, this book will introduce you to the arcane field of special effects compositing with clear explanations of the mechanics of the technology and the craft of creating a visual that "works" convincingly. Softcover, 233 pp. $56.50.

Designing Movie Creatures and Characters
Richard Rickitt
Designing Movie Creatures and Characters reveals the inside story of how creatures of the imagination are brought to life onscreen--told by the makers themselves, and illustrated with exclusive, behind-the scenes shots from hundreds of movies such as King Kong; Star Wars; Pirates of the Caribbean; X-Men; Predator; Alien; Hellboy, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Softcover, 176 pp. $46.50.

The Winston Effect: The Art and History of Stan Winston Studios
Jody Duncan
Offering a unique insight into the career of Stan Winston, and the special effects industry as a whole, this lavishly illustrated book takes readers behind-the-scenes to uncover the secrets of the groundbreaking special effects in films such as The Terminator, Aliens, Predator, Edward Scissorhands, Jurassic Park. With a copious collection of previously unpublished sketches, production art and photographs straight from the studio archives, along with in-depth contributions from Stan and all of his creative staff, The Winston Effect is an unprecedented record of the extraordinary dedication and artistry behind the creation of some of the most iconic characters in cinema history. Hardcover, 336 pp. $83.95.

Creative After Effects 7
Angie Taylor
Realize your creative potential with a working knowledge of After Effects 7. Renowned artist and designer Angie Taylor demonstrates professional workflows and inspires with practical tutorial lessons that help put the theory (and you!) to work. Inside you'll find a comprehensive survey of the new interface and features with illustrated techniques for animation, visual effects and motion graphics. Practice exercises reinforce essential techniques, and book-length projects challenge you with fantastically creative uses of the application. The companion DVD includes everything you'll need to complete the tutorials as well as an array of bonus plug-ins and demo software. Softcover, 580 pp. $65.95.

Industrial Light & Magic: Into The Digital Realm
Mark Cotta Vaz
Co-authored with Pat Duignan
This book looks at the second decade of ILM, fueled by the explosion of new digital technologies. With in-depth coverage of special effects in the Indiana Jones, Ghostbuster movies,Terminator, this absorbing book is a feast of fat things for fans of action and adventure movies. Hardcover, 330 pp. $110.00.

Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects
Robert E. McCarthy
Whether you're a working professional, a film student, or just interested in the techniques behind the effects, Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects provides the insights that you've been looking for. Inside you'll find instructions and more than 200 illustrations and diagrams teaching you how to perform a wide array of practical effects, including: rain effects, fire effects, wire effects, pyrotechnics, and much more. Hardcover, 192 pp. $79.95.

Visual Effects for Film & Television
Mitch Mitchell
Visual effects are at the forefront of a digital revolution in the film and video industry and are becoming more and more important to movie language. Written by an experienced professional, this book teaches the practical techniques and skills required to incorporate effects successfully into both film and television production. Softcover, 245 pp. $34.95.

Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects
Patricia D. Netzley
The Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects contains more than 360 entries on visual, mechanical, and makeup special effects, including information on the latest techniques and gadgetry used to create some of the cinema's most spectacular effects, the geniuses who bring the magic to the screen, and the films that have won awards for special effects or have contributed significantly to the development of the art. Softcover, 291 pp. $28.50.

Special Effects: An Oral History
Pascal Pinteau
The monster spewing flames in Godzilla, the flying bicycle in E.T., the rampaging dinosaurs in Jurassic Park: these are only a few of the cinematic magic moments that have held audiences spellbound over the years. Spanning a century of screen wizardry, and featuring the insights of several masters of special effects, this fabulous volume pays homage to dazzling pyrotechnics and the artists of illusion who created them. Hardcover, 566 pp. $57.50.

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CGI: The Art of the 3D Computer Animated Image
Peter Weisher
This feast for the eyes is the first book to offer a comprehensive collection of three-dimensional computer generated images from the most renowned film studios, animation and special effects houses, and independent digital artists working today. Inside you'll find an international sampling, that runs the stylistic gamut -- from detailed scientific visualizations to painterly still lives and surrealistic abstractions. Hardcover, 224 pp. $52.50.

Special Effects Make-up
Janus Vinther
In this book, Janus Vinther provides step-by-step guidelines for achieving a wide variety of grotesque and outlandish effects, including bullet holes, body fluids, burns, and a variety of specialised character make-ups. With detailed explanations of techniques and materials and illustrations throughout, this book contains everything that you need to know to look your worst. Softcover, 160 pp. $39.95.

The Art of The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings
Gary Russel
Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring has become one of the most successful, and visually unforgettable movies ever made. But that was only the beginning. For The Two Towers the artists and designers knew that they would have to surpass even their own outstanding achievements. Within the pages of this authoritative and insightful book are the incredible results of their work. Hardcover 189 pp. $49.95.

Inside the World of Star Wars
Attack of the Clones
Simon Beecroft
The incredible locations of Attack of the Clones are revealed as never before in this lavishly illustrated guide. Intricate cross-section artistry and 3-D maps provide the most detailed look yet at the world of the movie. Also, the carefully researched text provides detailed background information and several new insights into the Star Wars universe. Hardcover, 40 pp., $29.99.

The Invisible Art:
The Legends of Movie Matte Painting
Mark Cotta Vaz and Craig Barron
Since the birth of cinema, movie-makers have created stunning special effects by combining still "matte" paintings with live-action film. Matte painting techniques were closely guarded secrets that never left the studio lot. In this unprecedented retrospective, Mark Cotta Vaz and Craig Barron reveal the history of a visual effect that has defined movies as we know them-from Gone with the Wind and Citizen Kane to Star Wars and Titanic. Lavishly illustrated, The Invisible Art showcases the finest examples of now-rare matte paintings and unveils a century's worth of fascinating stories, legendary personalities, and cunning movie craft. Including a foreword by George Lucas and a CD-ROM that brings to life these moving pictures, this volume is packed with exclusive interviews and a narrative that time travels from the first pioneering "glass shots" to the dawn of digital technology. The definitive book for the consummate movie fan, The Invisible Art conjures a never-before-told story of film wizardry. Hardcover, 288 pp., colour illustrations throughout.

It Came from Bob's Basement:
Exploring the Science Fiction and Monster Movie Archive of Bob Burns
Bob Burns with John Michlig
Bob's Basement is a treasure trove of all kinds of props, artwork, costumes and other gems collected over a lifetime. With over 200 photographs, It Came from Bob's Basement tells tales from classic science fiction and creature films such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein, Alien, King Kong and Plan 9 from Outer Space. Hardcover, $38.95.

Special Effects:
The History and Technique
Richard Rickitt
This book is a treasure trove of astounding information for the student or professional and certainly the fan of special effects. Loaded with step-by-step explanations of every area of effects production, from traditional model making to the latest digital techniques this is the last word in special effects. Lavishly illustrated and filled with interviews with the leading effects specialists in Britain and the US. Hardcover, $120.00.

The Art of Visual Effects:
Interviews on the Tools of the Trade
Pauline B. Rogers
On today's feature films and commercials, visual effects are achieved using a wide array of tools and techniques, often combining camera techniques with computer-rendered images. This book presents a unique approach to the subject through the direct experiences of noted artists from the feature film, television and commercial realm. Large-format softcover, $69.95.

The Art Of Star Wars Episode II:
Attack Of The Clones
Mark Cotta Vaz
Including the screenplay by George Lucas & Jonathan Hales Filled with stunning examples of never before seen movie artwork, the illustrated screenplay, sketches, costume and set designs, models and paintings. Large-format Hardcover, $53.00.

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Last modified July 15, 2003 .
Please note that all prices are in Canadian dollars. All prices are subject to change without notice.