Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation

wer Joseph Gilland in Person erleben duerfte, weiss sein Leidenschaft fuer Effects Animation zu schaetzen, samt die lange Jahren an Erfahrung die er mitbringt. Dabei ist es egal ob er traditionell zeichnet oder am Computer sich mit Simulationen beschaeftigt. Es geht um ein unterliegende Bewusstsein fuer die Kraefte, die sich in ein Splash, ein Welle, ein Flame oder Explosion beobachten lassen. Und dann noch – wie geht man von ein leere Stuck Papier zu eine gelungen Effect? Gilland summiert die Grundlagen der Prozesse in anschauliche Manier. Diese Buch ersetzt zwar den persoenliche Begegnung mit den Lehrmeister nicht, bringt aber dass Wissen gezielt auf den Punkt. Auf jeden Fall empfehlungswert.

Adorei o livro e seu conteúdo. É um otimo livro para ler e para consultar sempre.
Gostaria que a capa do livro tivesse orelha, pois é uma capa muito frágil. Já notei isso em outros livros da mesma editora.

I’ve been hoping for years that someone would write a comprehensive book on 2D effects animation. Something more than the little “how to draw and flapping flag” or “how to make a fire cycle” bits that get tacked on in other animation books.

Disney veteran Joseph Gilland has finally given us that first book dedicated to 2D effects animation. He’s broken down effects into four broad categories (water/liquids, fire/smoke, props/solid objects and magical effects) and laid out the principles needed to bring them to life on paper.

Since every real-world splash and flame is unique, Elemental Magic isn’t so much of a “how to draw” type book as it is a “how to approach” book. Gilland breaks down the basic behaviors of different types of matter and the working methods needed for an animator to capture the dynamic essence of an effect without being tied to a hyper-real style or getting bogged down in an unmanageable level of detail.

And this book doesn’t solely apply to hand-drawn effects. Each section on a type of matter includes several pages on how to apply these classical animation principles to digital effects work. How to get the most out the computer’s ability to do the heavy lifting on effects.

Hopefully this isn’t the last book ever published on 2D effects animation. Gilland himself mentions that he’s only scratching the surface with this book and that water, smoke or any other element could warrant a full volume treatment.

I hope someone takes him up on that offer, and with Elemental Magic we now have a solid foundation to build on.

I was in Vancouver Film School’s Classical Animation Course back in 1999-2000 (Class 29), and the 2D FX course was exceptional. I still look over my old notes to aid in animating. Even though the old notes are comprehensive, I still wanted to have more detail and explanation on the subject – and whallah! I found this book on Amazon. Much to my surprise, I discovered Mr. Gilland taught at VFS many years after my departure but I can still benefit from his genius via his books.

Excellent books, both Volumes.

Cheers,

Special Effects (SFX) is as old as Cinema. Any and all methods have been used to simulate effects in live action as well as animation films.

This book and its sequel gives this unique art a detailed treatment that is long overdue. It is essential in teaching art not to focus too much on How to do ‘this’, How to do ‘that’ etc. It is always easy to teach that. But art is about creativity and not about repeating something like one does in an assembly line. More so in this niche domain of Special effects which is at the same time as much of a science as art.

This book deals it the right way by introducing the reader to the approaches of special effects, beginning with early attempts at animation special effects. A great amount of detail is provided in the study of the elements, and how it gets integrated into an effect. One begins to appreciate how much the study, observation of the real world in extreme detail is an essential ingredient of understanding effects.

The book equips the reader with all the mental tools needed to get started on a journey, where one goes into his/her own path of exploration, study, experimentation and producing Effects. Instead of merely showing, say, how to make smoke.

The study of Effects animation, is in essence a study of natural phenomena. Hence wast.

For instance when we say water it implies… (I quote from the book:) Splashes, Ripples, Waves, Bubbles, Fountains, White water, Geysers, Water hoses, Raindrops, Rivers, Waterfalls, Oceans, Ice, Snowflakes, Avalanches and Slush !! Whoa!.. You get the point!

This volume deals with two categories.

(1) Liquid
(2) Fire, Smoke and Explosions

The author uses a very very simple, clear and lucid language, breaks down the process ever so slowly, with enough examples, time and explanations that aid in the assimilation of the subject.

Since the treatment is at a fundamental level, what one learns forms the foundation for any medium.

This book is a great read. Has a lot of insight and cool stories relating to visual effects from traditional 2D animators.