Advanced Visual Effects Compositing

Lee Lanier has worked as a professional computer animator and visual effects (VFX) artist since 1994. He has more than 70 features, shorts, music videos, trailers, and commercials to his credit. Lee has written eight high-end software books that have sold more than 30,000 copies, has authored VFX training videos for lynda.com, has taught VFX compositing at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood, and is a member of the Visual Effects Society (VES). A strong supporter of the arts, Lee co-founded the Dam Short Film Festival—Nevada’s largest film festival—and continues to serve as its executive director. He also co-manages the Boulder City branch of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, curates several art gallery spaces, and is an avid painter. You can see his work at beezlebugbit.com and diabolica-art.com.

Introduction

1. Keying Difficult Green Screen

2. Motion Tracking Elusive Patterns

3. Relighting in the Composite

4. Fixing and Repairing Plates

5. Replicating Artifacts

6. Adding Depth to Flat Scenes

7. Using Imperfect FX Elements

8. Tackling a Complex VFX Shot

Appendix A: Introduction to After Effects and Fusion

Appendix B: Source File Information

Index