Reading List for 2D VFX (Compositing)

In this guest blog post Escape Studios VFX Programme Leader Klaudija Cermak offers a summary of the best books to read for the study of Compositing - 2D VFX. 

Klaudija's reading list is based on many years of research; traditional books are still one of the best ways to learn from the many decades of knowledge that underpin the digital arts. 

Many of these books can be found in the Escape Studios Animation & VFX Library, on the 11th Floor.   You can read more about the library and how it works here. 

Always Learning
The learning in VFX never ends. It continues beyond the classroom and the workplace. Essentially the whole industry sits on the shoulders of passionate and dedicated VFX artists who are prepared to go the extra mile, work the occasional all-nighters and spend a lot of their free time improving their skills and pursuing their passion and love for VFX. The reward for the effort lies in working with great people in great environments.

Below is the list of 13 essential books that will help you become better VFX Compositing Artists. These have been written by some of the legends in the industry who spent years researching and writing the books so we can get better at what we do. Let’s read them!

• The Core Skills of VFX - Student Primer + Repository - Walker Saint John (2017)

These are two amazing booklets that can be downloaded from the NU website. They give a complete overview of VFX workflows and soft skills required to be successful in the industry.

• Masters of FX - Ian Failes (2015)

Outstanding book from the Author of great beforesandafters.com website featuring the breakdowns and behind the scenes of some iconic films.

• Compositing Visual Effects - Steve Wright (2011)

Beautifully written introductory book to VFX Compositing by Steve Wright who has a knack for explaining complex concepts in a layman language.

• Digital Compositing for Film and Video - Steve Wright (2017)

Another masterpiece from Steve Wright digging deeper into VFX Compositing.

• Light for Visual Artists - Richard Yot (2019)

A feast for the eyes explaining light phenomenon. A must have for any Visual Artist.

• The Art and Science of Digital Compositing - Ron Brinkmann (2008)

This is a VFX Compositing Bible.

• The VES Handbook of Visual Effects - Jeffrey Okun and Susan Zwerman (2020)

Another Bible. A Visual Effects Society in depth book explaining the concepts behind VFX Compositing.

• The VES Handbook of Virtual Production - Susan Zwerman and Jeffrey Okun (2023)

Just out! Everything we need to know about Virtual Production.

• The Colour Management Handbook for Visual Effects Artists - Victor Perez (2023)

The Superman of VFX Compositing brings us The Colour Management book we have been all waiting for so we don’t need to bluff anymore.

• The Basics of Filmmaking - Blain Brown (2020)

Understanding filmmaking from concept to delivery is essential to understanding where VFX Compositing sits in the pipeline.

• The Five C’s of Cinematography - Joseph V Mascelli (1998)

If you have passion for films and VFX then you need to know the 5 C’s of cinematography: camera angles, continuity, cutting, close-ups and composition.

• Making Movie Magic: A Lifetime Creating Special Effects – John Richardson and Richard Donner (2019)

Bringing us the art of special effects (SFX) created in camera on the shoot. This is a must have book as VFX Compositing is often associated with CG but most of the tasks in VFX Compositing involve interventions into live action plates and combining various live action elements including SFX. The most recent example of that is ‘Oppenheimer’ feature film.

---- Klaudija Cermak

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.