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Top Hollywood makeup artist Christina Rodriguez, teaches makeup artists and parents how to use makeup and body paints to create exciting artistic themes and colorful characters for childrens theatre and parties. She demonstrates what kind of materials should be used to create colorful childrens characters including color mixing techniques (sponge and brush detailing), along with a demonstration of all the tools needed to make face painting a quick and enjoyable process for young kids. Multiple pictures of Characters and techniques are also featured for you to follow and copy. Techniques include: A demonstration of face color and body paint, color brushes and paint sponges, base coloring and fading, texture technique, detailing of characters and example designs for artists to follow.
Making movie-like special effects doesn't have to be difficult. Our experts show you how easy it is to make your own using 6 step-by-step training tutorials! Learn how to make realistic blood, design elements, light sabers, and more. Teaches: Basic Movie Effects, Creating Fake Blood, Design Elements: Ink Drops and Spreads, Stop-Motion Light Painting, Light Saber FX, Simple Special FX (realistic looking rain, shoot during the day to make it look like night).
With an emphasis on Airbrush Techniques for Higher Definition
Bradley Look shares his award-winning techniques and applications to create masterful makeup and special effects.
"It's about time someone finally designed airbrush stencils with the makeup artists in mind & share their award-winning experience." ¡V Michael G Westmore.
Emmy-winning makeup artist (for Star Trek: Voyager's Threshold), Bradley Look, takes you behind the scenes of the Hollywood makeup artistry to show how to airbrush more effectively, in the growing age of High Definition format, using Makeup FX template stencils. Demonstrates prosthetics, special effects and beauty application using the airbrush. Follow the step-by-step process, using freehand spray & Makeup FX template stencils.
Learn classic special effects used by Hollywood FX creators. From glitter FX to making bullet holes, fake fire and safely running your actor down by a car, this DVD takes your special effects skills to a higher level. With creativity & knowledge you can incorporate some big budget Hollywood techniques using low budget camera tricks and editing software. Discover how to use green screen effects to put your characters in any setting. As a special bonus we have included step-by-step screen recorded presentations of how we produced some of these special effects using Adobe premiere, Adobe Photoshop, and Particle Illusion.
A Great Historical Program for a Visual Effects Class. Twilight Cameraman gives a rare glimpse into the remarkable craft of optical printing which was of great importance in the field of visual effects. It demonstrates the step-by-step procedures used to shoot film opticals. Before his transition into digital, Visual Effects cameraman Mark Sawicki documented the old style craftsmanship of the traditional optical cameraman. This program is a wonderful companion piece to the Albert Whitlock: A Master of Illusion as Sawicki worked as cameraman for Whitlock's protege's Bill Taylor and Syd Dutton (now effects supervisors). This program pays homage to an exciting craft that was handed down from one camera person to another in the last age of apprenticeship.
In today's feature film industry, productions are in constant need of digital set extensions. On this third DVD in a series, Chris Stoski shows how digital set extensions are achieved. The lecture uses two examples to demonstrate matching simple and complex lighting in the plate photography, dealing with difficult lighting changes, matching the camera angle of the plate with 3D software, and adding camera movement in a compositing environment. The lecture results in the creation of two beautiful moving shots. In addition to Adobe Photoshop®, Chris uses Autodesk 3ds Max and Apple Shake to create these examples, but the techniques can be implemented with other popular 3D and compositing software as well. This DVD is designed for all skill levels.
TOPICS COVERED:
Plate Analysis
Perspective Matching
3D Modeling
Lighting
Composition
Motion Picture Plates
Digital Painting
Compositing
Animation
In this DVD, Alex demonstrates how to use the Paint Effects engine in Maya to create realistic trees. We begin by looking at the default PFX library, which has been converted to polygons for a Mental Ray workflow in an interactive instancer driven scene. Alex then thoroughly demonstrates how to customize a tree, using a library preset as a start point. All relevant paint effects attributes as discussed so that it becomes clear how to create trees that match the desired look for branching, leaves and behavior. Creating custom textures in Photoshop and setting up miaMaterials is then explored using Physical Sun/Sky and photographic camera exposure. Tree animation with wind turbulence, including how to create a randomized library from a user-defined preset, is generated in preparation for incorporating trees into a high-poly park scene. Techniques for populating the park with trees, as well as plants, grass and ground leaves, are discussed in a dynamic and flexible workflow via surface emission, instancing and particle expressions. Alex renders the animated scene, including his ZDepth workflow, compositing the final result in After Effects using the Lenscare, Magic Bullet and Sapphire plug-ins. He also shares his techniques for using volume primitives to create volumetric fog effects, rendered as a separate pass, creating a final 4k comp of the park scene. In conclusion, a variety of tips for creating custom trees are shared in order to make the default library a more useful start point for professional projects including broadleaf, palm, pine, willow and bamboo.
Review
"Whenever I need to breathe life into my characters, Alex Alvarez is where I go. Whether it be to collaborate on concepts with him directly or to watch his DVDs, I am always confident in accessibility to great information. Not only has his technical prowess pulled me out of many holes, but his character sense has given rise to some wonderful moments on some major motion pictures (Avatar and Star Trek). These new DVD's encapsulate what I gush about. Crazy and creative character design coupled with empowering technical know how." - Neville Page, Character/Concept Designer
This DVD consists of five stand-alone lessons that cover various techniques using Maya's fluid dynamics. In each lesson, Wayne walks you through his process, providing the viewer with a greater understanding of how to set up dynamic fluid simulations for production shot assets. Wayne starts by showing you how to create a believable fire simulation. He demonstrates how to control Maya fluids with a variety of textures and expressions to create a highly detailed and believable flame thrower effect. He then demonstrates how to create various smoke effects, including the desired "wispy smoke" effect. Wayne also discusses his methods for controlling fluid emission and motion using a variety of emission controls, collisions, and fields, to produce complex smoke, fire and dust simulations.
TOPICS COVERED:
Creating believable fire
Creating oil smoke assets
Texture Maya Fluids with detailed ramps and expression
Creating wispy looking smoke
Creating a smoke bomb effect with the use of dynamic fields
Creating ground dust elements that could be used for various effect
Lighting Maya Fluids
Rendering Maya Fluids
Review
"Wayne is one of the rising stars in FX. He figured out fluids quickly and is taking fluids to only where the top Maya FX artist are. He's been one of the leaders in helping new artist get better results online." - David Schoneveld Senior FX Artist Digital Domain
Wayne England presents an introduction to the creation of digital fluid dynamics using Real Flow, that includes a systematic breakdown of methods used to generate photo-realistic fluid dynamic effects. The viewer takes a step-by-step look at the fundamental procedures and parameters within Real Flow that together establish an essential, practical, working knowledge of the program. This includes a thorough overview of features important in establishing a production-ready workflow, such as questions of scale, particle meshing, Real Flow Node control via the command line, the data exchange pipeline to other 3D packages and many other practical and creative methodologies. Within the context of the tutorial projects, digital fluids with highly realistic characteristics are developed. The material covered in this DVD is intended for both students and professionals who wish to strengthen their practical understanding of the huge range of aesthetic possibilities in Real Flow.
TOPICS COVERED:
SD Format
Export Central
Command Line
Scale
Emitter, Object and
Mesh Parameters
Mesh Methodology
Daemon Parameters
Core parameters and
Production Ready Workflow
Flow Shape, Flow Director Objects
and Sculpting Fluid Methodologies
Review
"Wayne England is a highly dedicated and highly talented 3D artist who is committed to advancing what is possible in the realm of fluid dynamics." - Mark Glaser, Creative Director and Owner, Sway Studio
In this DVD, John presents the entire process of creating an outer space effects sequence. Starting with a space ship and a camera move, John takes the viewer through a step-by-step look at how to create a sequence that includes following a space ship as it breaks free of a tractor beam, launches out of planetary orbit, then flies through a field of asteroids and starbirth nebula clouds. John uses Maya's Dynamics system to build elements in the shots, demonstrating their use within the shot environment. He shows how to use cloud particles as a volume surface on which to project shaders to simulate nebulas that can be both stunning backgrounds and realistic clouds that can be flown through. John also walks you through a series of simple effects that add dynamic detail to the shots: sprite-stars, tractor beams, explosions, an energy field and an asteroid field. This lecture will enable you to create fantastic outer space shots that push the scope of imagination.
TOPICS COVERED:
Cloud Particles
Cloud Shader
Lighting
Sprite particles
Emitters
Goal
Springs
Turbulence Field
Expressions
Point Particles
Collisions
Rigid Body
Instance
Paint Effects
Review
"I'm always looking for great ways to expand my knowledge base within Maya, and John Clark's Maya Dynamics DVDs have quickly helped me get up to speed on the inner workings of the often overwhelming dynamics module. His clear, concise lessons and methods are a one-stop-shop for all your effects development needs." - Michael Ford, Senior Character, Technology Supervisor, Sony Imageworks
In this DVD, John presents the process of creating an underwater effects shot, thoroughly explaining each step of the process from inception to completion. Starting with an ocean bottom and a camera move, John shows how to create underwater atmospheric conditions such as floating particulate matter, photo-real bubbles, water fog and caustic light rippling down through a wavy sea surface. John then uses Maya's Dynamics system to build additional elements into the shot, demonstrating their use within the shot environment. He shows how to use springs and goals to create an anchor and dynamic rope dropping to the sea floor, as well as how to use particle instancing with goals to create dynamic schools of fish. John then walks you through the final steps to create flowing sea grass and billowing sand when the sea bottom is disturbed. By the end of this DVD you will not only have a completed shot ready for fine-tuning and compositing, you will also have the ability to create your own fantastic underwater shots.
TOPICS COVERED:
Water Fog
Ocean Fluids
Fog Lighting
Sprite Particles
Emitters
Soft Bodies
Goals
Springs
Turbulence Fields
Expressions
Point Particles
Collisions
Control Curves
Instances
Paint Effects
Review
"I'm always looking for great ways to expand my knowledge base within Maya, and John Clark's Maya Dynamics DVDs have quickly helped me get up to speed on the inner workings of the often overwhelming dynamics module. His clear, concise lessons and methods are a one-stop-shop for all your effects development needs." - Michael Ford, Senior Character, Technology Supervisor, Sony Imageworks
In "MEL For Effects Artists", effects technical director Kevin Mannens offers an in-depth and hands-on dissertation on how to streamline and perfect your effects pipeline. This lecture demonstrates how to speed up your cloth workflow based on your production needs, streamline rigid body dynamics, workaround particle limitations, add functionality to Maya's hair engine, and make your code more dynamic and productive in a harsh production environment.
"Finally the wonders of MEL are accessible for people with even a bare minimum of technical knowledge! Kevin's thorough production experience and strong educational background shows through in this excellent series on MEL. With his witty eloquence and well-structured approach he makes even the most advanced concepts and techniques understandable. This set is without a doubt an invaluable resource for any aspiring TD - and any artist who is interested in optimizing and fine-tuning his pipeline." - Tom Kluyskens, Senior Technical Director, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Brandon Young presents his production FX workflow by reconstructing a shot from the Dragon Age: Origins cinematic created at Blur Studio. He goes over the shot breakdown, the goals of the shot and how to achieve them quickly. Brandon shows how to use Particle Flow, FumeFX and stock elements to make the effects shine. He then delves into rendering and compositing the effects elements into the actual production shot.
Review
"Brandon Young is truly one of the worlds most talented and complete visual effects artists. With the quality, creative ingenuity and sheer force with which he approaches his work, his shared knowledge will prove invaluable for the sincere aspiring artist." - Wayne England, Creative Director, Spatial Harmonics Group
In this DVD, Maxime breaks down every visual effect, from texture to behavior and integration into an alpha stage game level, using the UDK Unreal Engine 3. He shows how to use Adobe Photoshop®, AfterEffects®, FumeFX and 3ds Max to create textures, and demonstrates essential methods for efficiency and optimization of visual effects to be used in a video game. Watch as Maxime deconstructs numerous realistic effects such as smoke, fire, explosions, muzzle flashes, bullet impacts, and more.