Price: $75.00 - $28.38
(as of Sep 17, 2024 18:13:06 UTC – Details)
Traces the history and evolution of motion picture special effects from silent films’ smoke and mirrors to computer-assisted effects, and dissects such components as optical illusions, models, animation, and makeup and sound effects.
Publisher : Billboard Books (October 1, 2000)
Language : English
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 0823077330
ISBN-13 : 978-0823077335
Item Weight : 4.2 pounds
Dimensions : 9.75 x 1 x 12 inches
4.5
Reviewer: Paulo M. F. Andrade
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Masterpiece
Review: This book is so perfect in what it proposes to be that I feel sorry to not have bought it before. It gives you a wonderfull view of the history of Special Effects and have deep information, that I never found in other books on how they did in the past and how they do today.I am desesperately waiting for a new version of the book and I hope they do a bigger book now. There are more good information that I would like to see in this book.I believe the cover doesn’t help because it shows a pinacle of visual effects, but what make this book shines is the Special Effects part.I also would love to have this book in a digital format so I could see the pictures in bigger sizes. I can imagine how wonderfull would be if a digital version of the book, with links to the films and sniplets of scenes.Anyway, even today, in 2013, this book is a must buy for everyone that loves cinema and respect is as the ultimate art.
Reviewer: Steven Pascoe
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Exceptional book for those who are brand new to the field
Review: I bought this book during my freshman year of college for an Intro class, and I still have it today. Not a bad book at all for someone who’s very interested in learning historical techniques behind visual/special effects. Some of the sections go into great detail on the most popular effects techniques, and I learned a lot from this book.
Reviewer: The Fixer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book!!
Review: I love this book. Itâs written by a filmmaker who teaches. It goes over all the different aspects of special effects, from practical to visual.
Reviewer: Vicki Dupraw
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: SPECIAL EFFECTS: THE HISTORY AND TECHNIQUE
Review: THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC BEAUTIFUL PICTURES AND LOTS AND LOTS OF INFORMATION VERY LARGE (10X12) AND OVER 300 PAGES VERY NICE COFFEE TABLE BOOK I LOVE LOOKING IT OVER AND LEARN SOMETHING NEW EACH TIME GREAT BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO LIKES SPECIAL EFFECTS OR SCIENCE FICTION
Reviewer: Sean Devereaux
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A coffee table book for the geeks in all of us…
Review: Yes there is great history and education in here, but the mass of photographs tells a truly beautiful tale. The artists illustrated here are for the most part the true pioneers of creating magic on film. Going into a project with truly no proven technique must have been terrifying and adrenaline pumping. Our techniques have greatly improved but since the advent of fully cg fx, the pioneering aspect is minimal. It is very well written but I can’t call it a page turner since I spent so much time staring at the pictures. Great for fans and professionals alike.
Reviewer: Dr. Geek
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Falls short on both goals
Review: Alas I’m surprised I may be the only less than 4 star review. Please don’t be mad, folks! I really wanted to like this book. Before reading further you might want to know that I’ve been an enthusiast of VFX since I was little, I’m an artist and a former architect (I changed careers) and an engineer so I come to this matter with more knowledge than most laypersons. It may be this is a coffee table book meant to give a broad look but there are aspects of the book that argue against a pure coffee table goal, and beyond that it doesn’t deliver at least not consistently.First the pros:Obvious enthusiasm for the subject, appreciation for the creativity of filmmakers since the early days and the genius required to accomplish stunning visuals with limited technologyAn overview of the history of special effects from pre-film to recent historySome detail on the techniques at various pointsOccasional diagrams illustrating a techniqueA rich discussion of physical modelmaking techniques and history. Clearly the author loves real models, as do I.ConsInconsistent detail and richness of information, especially in the history sections, but also the techniquesMissing seminal historic moments/films (e.g. The Terminator[1984], a groundbreaking VFX film and the first project of the James Cameron, Stan Winston power team. It gets a little spot in miniature pyrotechnics. Strangely T2 gets a little treatment in both history and techniques but there’s no 2nd without the first). The 1980’s gets two pages (plus a profile page of Lucas and Spielberg), a decade that advanced VFX possibly moe than any other before it and introduced CG effects as well as the apex of model, motion control, matte and blue/greenscreen techniques. 1990’s gets two and the 2000’s get four. Some major films just aren’t there. I get that a book can’t have every film with good VFX, but major turning points where new technology and techniques are developed? C’mon, man.Jurassic Park gets a focal page, but without any real graphic content just text. No model shots, no CGI technique examples. The book discusses procedural animation soon after, what an opportunity to discuss Jurassic Park’s animation of T-rex in the rain, oh my god that was mind blowing! Didn’t even mention it.Okay some gaps may have been a rights-acquisition problem, but my understanding is that for historic and review content you can use material without a huge license fee.Also, the author frequently uses mediocre examples when a superior film and technique exists (another licensing thing?). I mean, Lost in Space and Independence Day? Geez. That makes the author look like he doesn’t actually watch movies and got whatever content/stills/etc. that was cheapest.The realization I’ve had is that this tome should be broken into two volumes, Volume I History with bold-text references to techniques in Volume II Techniques (in digital format, hyperlinks).The author clearly loves the traditional handmade techniques, and I do too but he should enlist some help filling in the blanks.There’s a lot of love in this book for the art and craft of filmaking and its heritage. I just frequently felt like I was hungry for more right when the section or page I was reading ended.
Reviewer: Trevor J Maynard
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: However it is very interesting and the pictures are fantastic. As a film student I would have enjoyed …
Review: This book is more history then technique. However it is very interesting and the pictures are fantastic. As a film student I would have enjoyed more technique. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in what special effects were like before CGI.
Reviewer: Stop Motion Maniac
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great history and reference book
Review: Wow, I’m blown away by the sheer wealth of information contained in this 384 page tome. The paper stock is great, the printing is good too and the text is thorough. I also like the organization of the book. The book is arranged accordingly:1. The History of Special Effects2. Optical Effects3. Models4. Animation5. Matte Techniques6. Make-Up7. Physical Effects8. SoundA worthy book for the animation and effects/film library.
Reviewer: Kai Fuhrmann
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: So much content. I am impressed. Not more to say. Excellent buildup, so much beautiful pictures, history and techniques… Not hamlet, but who cares.
Reviewer: fallingforstars
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The finest book I have come across in this field. Thorough and comprehensive in its coverage with plenty of technical detail as well as being lavishly illustrated. Covering the full spectrum of the broad category of movie special effects it is a huge undertaking that pays off admirably. A very absorbing read. My highest recommendation.
Reviewer: janette petts
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: my grandson thought it was wonderful
Reviewer: MR G E ASKER
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I an using this book to support my PhD research which is partly about special effects in films made in the 1920’s
Reviewer: kristy
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: hi,i received this book on friday and it is nothing that i expected.i am a make up artist and i bought it for make up special effects and not for learning the history of animation.i would like to return this book if it is possible.
