The Visual Effects Society (VES) has set Oct. 31 as the release date for The VES Handbook of Virtual Production. As a complement to its acclaimed 3rd edition of The VES Handbook of Visual Effects–the definitive industry bible for VFX–The VES Handbook of Virtual Production is the most comprehensive guide to virtual production techniques and best practices available.
Edited by VFX producer Susan Zwerman, VES, and VFX supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun, VES, The VES Handbook of Virtual Production features real-world expertise gleaned from 82 experts in the world of virtual production in areas including VR, AR, MR, and XR technology, as well as detailed sections on interactive games, full animation and Unreal and Unity to provide real-time in-camera VFX. Additionally, the authors share their best methods, tips, tricks, and shortcuts developed as hands-on practitioners.
VES chair Lisa Cooke said, “We are excited to bring forth The VES Handbook of Virtual Production, which compiled the latest, industry-standard technologies and workflows for the ever-evolving, fast-paced world of virtual production. We embrace the responsibility and opportunity to provide ongoing education for VFX practitioners, producers and filmmakers, and are proud to offer this invaluable resource on our art and craft.”
“This is a must-read resource for all production professionals – no matter their craft–who are looking to gain essential knowledge in virtual production,” said Zwerman. “The writers have combined wisdom and practicality to produce an extraordinary book that covers all of the essential VP techniques and solutions, from pre-production through filming in LED volumes to postproduction.”
“The VES Handbook of Virtual Production is incredibly timely as there has been a seismic shift in how visual effects are being created and there is no informational handbook available on what artists, teachers, students and other VFX professionals need to learn,” said Okun. This handbook on virtual production covers essential techniques and solutions for all practitioners, making it THE guide that demystifies virtual production so that more producers, art directors and filmmakers can navigate this new technology.”
The comprehensive VES Handbook of Virtual Production covers topics including: visualization; VAD (virtual art department); volumetric capture; how to capture environments; LED stage setup; LED display; software/hardware for VP; cameras and camera tracking; color management; external lighting for the volume; challenges and limitations of shooting in a volume; and a virtual production glossary.
Pre-orders of the book are available for purchase at Routledge.com at https://bit.ly/43JVf1h or on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.co.uk/VES-Handbook-Virtual-Production/dp/1032432667/
American Society of Cinematographers presents 2024 Student Heritage Award winners
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) announced winners in the 2024 Student Heritage Awards competition. Three student filmmakers were selected for demonstrating outstanding cinematography skills in their submitted work. The Awards ceremony, presided over by ASC president Shelly Johnson and held at the historic ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood, also celebrated the lasting memory of three legendary ASC members whose work inspired generations.
Ellen Kuras, ASC presented the John Bailey Heritage Award (Graduate Category) to Joewi Verhoeven of the American Film Institute for “Taha.”
The George Spiro Dibie Heritage Award (Undergraduate Category) was presented by Michael Goi, ASC, ISC to Isabelle Leonard of the University of Southern California for “Amos' Bride.”
Patrick Cady, ASC presented The Haskell Wexler Documentary Award to Meg Weck of the University of Southern California for “Danceable.”
The Student Awards, sponsored by Sony, are one of several educational programs designed by the organization to support a new generation of talent in the early stages of their cinematography careers. To qualify, a student’s undergraduate, graduate or documentary project is submitted and judged by an ASC blue-ribbon panel for demonstrating exceptional cinematographic skill.
Many of the ASC Student Heritage Award winners have gone on to have successful careers in filmmaking, including the Student Awards Committee co-chairs Craig Kief and Armando Salas, alongside other ASC members Nelson Cragg, Masanobu Takayanagi, and Lisa Wiegand.
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