Filming the Fantastic: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography

Author: Mark Sawicki
Publisher: Focal Press
Pub.date: June 1, 2007
Paperback: 312 pages

Don't waste valuable time and budget fixing your footage in post! Shoot the effects you want effectively and creatively the first time.

This full-color step-by step guide to visual effects cinematography empowers you to plan out and execute visual effects shots on a budget, without falling into the common pitfall of using high-end computer graphics to "fix it in post." Learn how to effectively photograph foreground miniatures, matte paintings, green screen set ups, miniatures, crowd replication, explosions, and so much more to create elements that will composite together flawlessly.

Filming the Fantastic focuses on the art and craft of visual effects using real case scenarios from a visual effects cameraman. These lessons from the front line will give you ideas and insight so you can translate your skills into any situation, no matter what camera or software package you are using and no matter if you are using film or digital technology. Learn how to film your fantastic visual effects with this book!

* Hundreds of full-color set photographs show you exactly how it's done
* Includes step-by-step information on green screen setup
* Real-world examples and exercises throughout


" Whether you are an old hand at visual effects or just thinking about getting your feet wet with your fi rst indie fi lm, Mark’s book delivers a very detailed history and hands-on, step-by-step detailing of effects techniques, both past and present, reminding everyone that visual effects are still about more than just staring at a monitor and watching pixels move. "

—Kevin Kutchaver, Emmy Award winning VFX Supervisor and
Founder of HimAnI Productions, Inc.

" This book perfectly addresses the number one problem in the movie business: all decisions are made based on fear. “Will I lose my cushy job if I make the wrong decision?” With this book on your desk that’s one less problem to worry about. "

—Glenn Campbell, Visual Effects Supervisor at AREA 51


Link : Mark Sawicki - Filming the Fantastic: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography.

The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders

Author: Warren Blank
Publisher: AMACOM
Pub.date: May 21, 2001
Hardcover: 272 pages

"Some people appear to be ""natural born leaders."" But are they literally born that way? Or have they been taught, coached, rewarded, and reinforced in ways that enable them to be leaders?

According to The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders, no one is born a leader. But everyone has the natural born capacity to lead. We label people ""natural born leaders"" because they consistently and frequently model qualities that inspire others to commit to their direction.

This book identifies the skill set that causes others to see people as natural born leaders, helps readers assess their current level of these skills, and coaches readers to master their weak areas. Readers will learn:

* Foundation skills, including self-awareness and the ability to establish rapport

* Direction skills, including the ability to set a course and develop others as leaders

* Willing follower skills, including the ability to influence others and create a motivating environment."

Some Review:
"Excellent work that combines systematic and thought-provoking treatment of the nature of leadership." -- Dr. Nick Kanopoulos, Director of Multimedia & Communications, Atmel Corporation

"The book's universal themes make it valuable today, and a handy reference manual for a career." -- Financial Executive December 2001

"The person who aspires to leadership and success will not find a clearer, more accessible guide than this book." -- Grahm B. Painter, Vice President of Public Affairs, Delivery Group Reliant Energy

"This book provides an ideal method to enhance the skills of an entire executive team." -- Jon Flora, President, The Kroger Company of Michigan

"Warren Blank has presented practical suggestions for developing personal leadership characteristics essential at every organizational level and stage of life." -- John G. Rice, President & CEO, GE Power Systems

Link : Warren Blank - The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders.

Origins: How the Planets, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe Began

Author: Stephen Eales
Publisher: Springer; 1 edition
Pub.date: December 15, 2006
December 15, 2006

This book is about the origin questions – the questions of how (1) the planets, (2) the stars, (3) the galaxies, and (4) the universe itself were formed. These are the biggest questions in astronomy, and in the last decade, there has been a revolution in observational astronomy which has meant that we are very close to answering three of the four big questions. It is therefore a propitious time for this book.

As recently as 1995 we knew of only one planetary system: our own. Now we know of over a hundred, and this knowledge has helped to reveal how planetary systems form. In this same decade, new types of telescope have allowed us to penetrate through clouds of interstellar dust to see the first moments in the life of a star, and also to see directly (not infer) what galaxies looked like thirteen billion years ago, only a billion years after the Big Bang. Because of this new knowledge, we now have provisional answers to the second and third origin question. The final question is the one we can’t yet answer, but even here there have been big steps towards an answer. Within the last four years, astronomers have discovered that the universe is geometrically flat and that its expansion is accelerating, fuelled by a mysterious dark energy.

This revolution in our observational knowledge of the universe – including the first precise measurements of its age and matter and energy content - has been vital groundwork for new ideas about its origin, including the possibility that the universe originated in a larger 'meta-universe'.

Origin Questions describes, at an understandable and basically non-mathematical level, the origin questions and the recent steps that have been taken towards answering them.

Some reviews:

"I’m happy to say that I don’t think author Stephen Eales has to worry about [falling short of achieving his goal]… . His ambitiously titled book is a sound and readable addition to the astronomy shelf. … It’s a fine reference, well indexed, and, in less than 300 pages, contains the history of the universe. For only one volume, it’s a great value." (Jeff Kanipe, Sky & Telescope, August, 2007)

"Eales, an astronomer at Cardiff University in Wales, has written a survey of astronomical origins, starting with our solar system and moving ever outward to the origin of the universe. … The book is well researched and has an affiliated Web site to help readers keep up with the rapid change in knowledge about our origins. … A work for general readers, it could also be a good course resource for a general education astronomy class. … Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates." (R. A. Kolvoord, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), July, 2007)

"Origins, follows naturally … discussing how things came about how we found out about them, covering the origins of planets, stars, galaxies and the Universe itself. … Almost every aspect of astronomy is included in considerable detail and as with the previous volume there are many useful diagrams, some colour photos and amazingly low price for a quality product. … In addition the author provides his own version of the life of a professional astronomer and its well worth reading." (Bill Barlow, Astronomy Now, June, 2007)

Link : Origins: How the Planets, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe Began .

Electronic Gaming Monthly - January 2009

Link : Electronic Gaming Monthly - January 2009.

Macworld (US) - January 2009

Link : Macworld (US) - January 2009.

Smart Computing - January 2009

Link : Smart Computing - January 2009.

PC Magazine - January 2009

Link : PC Magazine - January 2009.

PC World - January 2009

Link : PC World - January 2009.

Gifts from the Heart : Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful

Author: Virginia Brucker
Publisher: Insomniac Press; 1 edition
Pub.date: Aug 21 2006
Paperback: 336 pages

Are you overwhelmed by the frantic commercialism of our modern Christmas? Do you long for a more meaningful celebration? Gifts from the Heart contains hundreds of simple ideas that will help you create a warmer, more loving celebration focused on sharing and giving. Parents, grandparents, early childhood educators, teachers, and youth group leaders will love the imaginative ideas in this book.

Gifts from the Heart is filled with:
• Time-saving tips for busy families
• Delightful kid-tested craft projects
• Heartwarming ideas for family traditions and capturing memories
• Fun-filled activities that help grandparents connect with their grandchildren
• Terrific suggestions for gifts that develop imagination, creativity, and literacy
• Practical ideas for helping our planet and our animal friends
• Delicious tried-and-true recipes for cooks of all ages
• Presentation tips and fabulous recipes for gifts from the kitchen
• Party and potluck tips and recipes
• Easy-to-do volunteer activities that make a difference to others during the holidays
• Tips for divorced parents and blended families
• Meaningful ways to help friends and family struggling with illness or loss at Christmas

Virginia Brucker is a primary teacher for more than twenty-five years, she is the recipient of the National Council of the Cancer Society's Community Champion Award for her support of cancer research. She lives and works in beautiful Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island.

Link : Virginia Brucker - Gifts from the Heart : Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful.

Computer Shopper - January 2009

Link : Computer Shopper - January 2009.

Computer Power User - January 2009

Link : Computer Power User - January 2009 .

Computer Graphic World November 2008

Link : Computer Graphic World November 2008.

The Hidden Persuaders

Author: Vance Packard
Introduction: Mark Crispin Miller
Publisher: Ig Publishing
Pub.date: July 1, 2007
Paperback: 240 pages


"One of the best books around for demystifying the deliberately mysterious arts of advertising." - Salon

"Fascinating, entertaining and thought-stimulating." -The New York Times Book Review

"A brisk, authoritative and frightening report on how manufacturers, fundraisers and politicians are attempting to turn the American mind into a kind of catatonic dough that will buy, give or vote at their command"--The New Yorker

Originally published in 1957 and now back in print to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary, The Hidden Persuaders is Vance Packard's pioneering and prescient work revealing how advertisers use psychological methods to tap into our unconscious desires in order to "persuade" us to buy the products they are selling.

A classic examination of how our thoughts and feelings are manipulated by business, media and politicians, The Hidden Persuaders was the first book to expose the hidden world of "motivation research," the psychological technique that advertisers use to probe our minds in order to control our actions as consumers. Through analysis of products, political campaigns and television programs of the 1950s, Packard shows how the insidious manipulation practices that have come to dominate today's corporate-driven world began.

Featuring an introduction by Mark Crispin Miller, The Hidden Persuaders has sold over one million copies, and forever changed the way we look at the world of advertising.

About the Author
Vance Packard (1914-1996) was an American journalist, social critic, and best-selling author. Among his other books were The Status Seekers, which described American social stratification and behavior, The Waste Makers, which criticizes planned obsolescence, and The Naked Society, about the threats to privacy posed by new technologies.

Link : Vance Packard - The Hidden Persuaders.