Comments on: Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:33:23 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Patrick Krebs http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/comment-page-1/#comment-386 Patrick Krebs Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:07:10 +0000 http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/#comment-386 If more visual effects artists studied the principles in this book, modern special effects would be much much better. I'm not saying that flashing backgrounds behind speed racer, or blowing up Indiana Jones in a refrigerator isn't cool. Ok, yes I am. However I'm also saying that if artists spent time studying the principles of light, traditional art and motion the way they did in Italy 600 years ago, or even in Burbank 50 years ago we'd lend witness to a higher quality product. <br />Reading this book is like studying the masters. 30 years of experience boiled down into the key fundamentals every special effects artist should know about the human mind and how it interprets and finds pleasure int he patterns and asymmetrical nature of... well nature. These techniques can't be learned anywhere else. <br />This book is essential. Rating: 5 / 5 If more visual effects artists studied the principles in this book, modern special effects would be much much better. I’m not saying that flashing backgrounds behind speed racer, or blowing up Indiana Jones in a refrigerator isn’t cool. Ok, yes I am. However I’m also saying that if artists spent time studying the principles of light, traditional art and motion the way they did in Italy 600 years ago, or even in Burbank 50 years ago we’d lend witness to a higher quality product.

Reading this book is like studying the masters. 30 years of experience boiled down into the key fundamentals every special effects artist should know about the human mind and how it interprets and finds pleasure int he patterns and asymmetrical nature of… well nature. These techniques can’t be learned anywhere else.

This book is essential.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: J. Nusz http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/comment-page-1/#comment-385 J. Nusz Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:54:11 +0000 http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/#comment-385 Joseph Gilland shows some of his magic with the examples that he gives in this book. His instructions on how to animate the elements is really amazing. His knowledge of the 2D animation field comes through as he instructs readers on how to create animated fire, wind, water, etc. <br /> <br />I appreciated the fact that the instruction was not limited to hand-drawn art, or only to computer animation, but included information about both formats. Although the cover is a bit nondescript, the information contained inside the book is anything but. Those who have been animating 2D will get a lot out of this book! <br /> Rating: 4 / 5 Joseph Gilland shows some of his magic with the examples that he gives in this book. His instructions on how to animate the elements is really amazing. His knowledge of the 2D animation field comes through as he instructs readers on how to create animated fire, wind, water, etc.

I appreciated the fact that the instruction was not limited to hand-drawn art, or only to computer animation, but included information about both formats. Although the cover is a bit nondescript, the information contained inside the book is anything but. Those who have been animating 2D will get a lot out of this book!


Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Kevin http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/comment-page-1/#comment-384 Kevin Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:26:48 +0000 http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/#comment-384 Excellent book by an inspired and accomplished animation effects artist and teacher. This volume sits alone as a very comprehensive overview of traditional hand-drawn special effects (I know of no other book written on the subject). The drawings contained are beautiful and explanatory. Most are of the author's own, but he uses photography and others professional work to illustrate his point when relevant. The glowing forward by Michel Gagne (an effects master in his own right) speaks to the importance of this book. I couldn't agree more with Gilland's call for imbuing the classical magic of traditional design and animation principles into today's often photo-realistic (yet lacking in design) digital realm. I eagerly await his second volume on the subject. Rating: 5 / 5 Excellent book by an inspired and accomplished animation effects artist and teacher. This volume sits alone as a very comprehensive overview of traditional hand-drawn special effects (I know of no other book written on the subject). The drawings contained are beautiful and explanatory. Most are of the author’s own, but he uses photography and others professional work to illustrate his point when relevant. The glowing forward by Michel Gagne (an effects master in his own right) speaks to the importance of this book. I couldn’t agree more with Gilland’s call for imbuing the classical magic of traditional design and animation principles into today’s often photo-realistic (yet lacking in design) digital realm. I eagerly await his second volume on the subject.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Mike http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/comment-page-1/#comment-383 Mike Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:18:47 +0000 http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/#comment-383 This book provides a comprehensive description of how a master animator approaches creation of hand-drawn animations. There is nothing really surprising (eg: keep a sketch book/camera close at hand to capture reference material) for anyone with some familiarity with drawing and animation. I found the spiritual/new-age mumbo-jumbo speak a bit distracting at times and felt after finishing the book, that in the modern context of animation (CGI), the book was of limited value to a professional artist. It is not a beginners guide, as it assumes a good technical competence and so doesn't delve into the basic mechanics, but also does not cover the modern techniques and tools used for modeling, texturing and rendering. <br /> <br />It reads like a slightly indulgent professional biography. A coffee table book for a niche audience. Rating: 2 / 5 This book provides a comprehensive description of how a master animator approaches creation of hand-drawn animations. There is nothing really surprising (eg: keep a sketch book/camera close at hand to capture reference material) for anyone with some familiarity with drawing and animation. I found the spiritual/new-age mumbo-jumbo speak a bit distracting at times and felt after finishing the book, that in the modern context of animation (CGI), the book was of limited value to a professional artist. It is not a beginners guide, as it assumes a good technical competence and so doesn’t delve into the basic mechanics, but also does not cover the modern techniques and tools used for modeling, texturing and rendering.

It reads like a slightly indulgent professional biography. A coffee table book for a niche audience.
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> By: Julie Neal http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Julie Neal Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:27:10 +0000 http://idioteex.com/2010/02/elemental-magic-the-art-of-special-effects-animation/#comment-382 This book is ideal for animators both professional and amateur. Every page explains the principles of creating special effects, in a clear, easy-to-follow way. Many detailed illustrations bring the principles to life. <br /> <br />It's not just digital animation; the medium doesn't really matter. The principles that Disney animation guru Joseph Gilland teaches are universal. The last third of the book is dedicated to digital animation exclusively. <br /> <br />From flickering flames to rippling water to pixie dust, Gilland shows you step by step how to create these special effects. It's a fascinating look! Rating: 5 / 5 This book is ideal for animators both professional and amateur. Every page explains the principles of creating special effects, in a clear, easy-to-follow way. Many detailed illustrations bring the principles to life.

It’s not just digital animation; the medium doesn’t really matter. The principles that Disney animation guru Joseph Gilland teaches are universal. The last third of the book is dedicated to digital animation exclusively.

From flickering flames to rippling water to pixie dust, Gilland shows you step by step how to create these special effects. It’s a fascinating look!
Rating: 5 / 5

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