Stu Write Book Good
Monday, May 15, 2006 at 11:08PM The DV Rebel's Guide: An All-Digital Approach to Making Killer Action Movies on the Cheap
So yeah, I'm writing a book. Hey, pre-order it now, because we expect to sell, like, literally several of them.
It's a book about using digital video and visual effects to maximize production value in low-budget films, with a particular slant to kinetic cinema, AKA action films. I'll cover a bunch of effects stuff both practical and digital, as well as techniques for maximizing production quality using only off-the-shelf tools. A DVD insert will contain a bunch of sample footage and After Effects 7.0 projects.
I'm still working on this thing, so if you have suggestions or reviews of other books on this subject (a few are found to the right), please post them here!
Reader Comments (6)
You wascally webel. This is fine news, indeed.
Just one question: Who wrote the blurbage on Amazon.com? After reading it I find I want to have a sex change just to have your babies. But only if you're going to cover an HD pipeline. That's a must.
Looking forward to this one. Go Stuey!
Hey Stu, i'm currently reading 6.5 Studio Techniques (bought it just before the new edition came out, ah well) which i know you wrote some of, and while it's good it's a bit too theoretical for me as a less experienced compositor, the information is great but it's tough to absorb. the new book sounds awesome, but hopefully it'll be very hands-on when it comes to the software.
The new book sounds really fun, will definitely check it out...
Hi Stu,
Of course I am not surprised that you're going to include AE projects in there. Any chances you'll put some Fusion stuff on there as well? I'll be happy to proofread and help you convert the concept over if you like. (as if you haven't got enough capable people hanging around The Orphanage who can do that with two hands tied behind their backs, but that's a different matter) Anyway if it's in the tradition of RR's book and other low budget how-to books it promises to be a fun read.
No question, i'll buy it. lots of what is mentioned is stuff i want to continue learning about. i liked the way Mark wrote his book, not so much as recipees, but as principles With Examples. i think that method works real well, and is a nice mixture. Ae files on the disc is very cool too i have to say. i'm also interested in matchmoving, and realistic Hdr lighting-on the cheap and creative side. I use Cinema 4D as i keep hearing how nice it imports into AE (haven't done much importing yet-since i need your book!). What's the best kept secret to a good scale practical model? what size should they be or frame rate should be attempted. Here's a good one-How do you shoot (or animate) and or plan a good shaky cam or that cool "you are there" documentary style Random looking zooming/focusing as seen in BattleStar Galactica-very nice. that's just a few of the things i wish i knew how to do right now-right along with your other topics listed. Between your book and Mark's, these are just the things many of us want to learn, but have no one anywhere near us to help teach us. We learn from tutorials, CineFX and DVD commentaries-but usually these are not the quality we are looking for or they are on such a high budget we can't touch them. I think this book will do very well. if we can't learn from the professionals in person-we'll take them on the page (or the DVD on the back cover). thanks for working on this. i hope the process is fun for you.
Jeff Petersen
I'd be interested in learning more about final color correction for the indy HD masterpiece... colorspace stuff... How to prep it for conversion to film? or prepare it for digital projection and all that... Your book sounds Mega_fresh! Good stuff!
For your upcoming book I'd assume since your focus is action you'll cover digital explosions, weapons fire and general mayhem and destruction.
I'd also like to see:
1) Good set extension tutorials.
2) Large scale destruction - like destroying buildings and vehicles.
3) Atmospheric effects
4) Lighting effects - like flashlight beams, beams of light through windows that interact with characters.
5) Tips on what's easier to get by shooting and comping vs. all digital.
6) Shooting/Comping miniatures
7) Anything that adds big WOW and production value in relation to effort.
Instead of packing a book full of "click here and drag that" I'd rather see as many concepts as possible and use the web for downloadable video tutorials and project files.
Also, Fusion and Shake breakdowns would be very helpful. Charge for them seperately if you need to, but node based compositing is a cool thing and Shake is only $500 now.