Visual Effects for Directors - 7 DVD set

[Venkman]

That looks pretty interesting - a nice primer for people to get a handle on things.


Edit- what has been people's experience with their other product- "Hollywood camera work"?

[automat]

Cool, tracking is nice,
but Rendering and Compositing looks pretty bad.

[scrimski]

Probably because it's not about compositing but prepping shots on set for VFX.

Rock solid or blockbuster VFX would have increased the price too.

[cheebamonkey]

sent that to the management but never got a response. Oh well.. their loss.

[Venkman]

sent that to the management but never got a response. Oh well.. their loss.


I got a reply when I asked for more details, like it is software specific, etc (I see Maya and Fusion in there, I couldn't identify the tracker - PF Track or boujou?) and I got this response:


The course is not software training, so we don't
ever teach you which button to push. But it is very technology
specific, because in order to for example be able to place markers on
a virtual prop, you need to know how photogrammetry works, how to get
a survey of the prop, and how to shoot it in a way where the shot
contains everything that is mathematically needed to be able to track
it.

So in that chapter, we teach you literally everything about what to do
on the set, including exactly how to build the prop and how to arrange
the markers, but we don't teach you how to track it in a specific
software, only how to make sure that the plate contains the
information that is needed. If the plate is shot right and you have
the supporting plates you need, tracking is a formality.

The course is thus mainly about exactly what to do on the set, and
knowing what is possible and what is needed in post.

I thought that was very informative. :thumbsup: I'd still like to see some sample clips like their other product though.

[EricMaslowski]

I have their other product "Hollywood Camerawork" and will likely pick this one up too for the same reason. Many of us probably know a lot of the content on these in one form or another (articles, books, DVDs), but their previous set was so complete that it has served as a great refrence and refresher over the years. With that being said, this DVD is trying to cover topics that are much more modern and constantly evolving through ingenuity on the set and behind the desk. I don't expect this to be bleeding edge in terms of techniques but I hope it covers the core of tracking, props, masks, HDRI, etc. in as much detail as their previous offering. It looks useful. :thumbsup:

[cavekid]

Yes, i too bought their previous Hollywood Camerawork set, found it to be a great reference guide (and great for juniors to watch when you're trying to convey a principle of animating a camera move). I will probably buy this set too, not so much for myself but to lend to a couple folk I regularly work with who have great visions but don't seem to realize the cost/time involved with some techniques (good to be able to say, check out DVD 5 chapter 12, then lets talk). If i get it I'll give a bit of a review.

[R10k]

Previews are up for those interested.

[Venkman]

Whew, those are lengthy previews! I guess when you have hours and hours of training, a preview can be over 20 minutes. :)


I am intrigued even more now. I think the previews did a good job of that.

[R10k]

Props certainly has to go to them for providing decent previews. Some of what was in there seemed quite good, but some of it... not so much, such as the final lighting comps, which didn't look too crash-hot.

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