This is a set of links and info from Ian Failes (from befores & afters) for London College of Communication MA Visual Effects students.

Book recommendation

The Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Techniques for Visual Effects, Animation and Motion Graphics, by Ron Brinkmann

ILM optical printers

Optical printing video from BBC Horizon episode

Official Star Wars video discussing visual effects from The Empire Strikes Back

Jonathan Erland’s breakdown of bluescreen compositing of film

The Alpha channel

Alvy Ray Smith alpha channel paper and compositing paper

Steve Ramsden miniatures and After Effects tutorial

History of digital compositing

What was the first digital composite? An investigation by befores & afters

Nuke history

A visual history of Nuke, at befores & afters
The first Nuke composite, at befores & afters

Runway demo

Wonder Studio demo

Send Ian an email anytime: beforesandafters@gmail.com

Next week: The evolution of animation (in person!)