How to shoot for planar tracking & place tracking markers

Via AETuts, Hollywood Camera Work has posted 4 sample tutorials and (maybe) free green screen and tracking plates from Visual Effects for Directors, which was just reviewed by Mark Christiansen on PVC. Tutorials include How to place tracking markers and How to shoot for planar tracking. Here's the preview via Filmaking Central:



Also, Eric Alba posted pictures of his vfx tracking markers, including a free PDF template.

Cloud tank effect with Scott Squires

Scott Squires posted some of the details of the Cloud Tank effect he used for the movie Close Encounters.

He also spoke a bit about this -- and more -- in a recent interview for The Masters of the Craft series from fxguidetv (#044). Fxphd has some related earlier items including Cloud Tanks and Realflow added - more cloud tanks.

Fxguide.tv talks to ILM's John Knoll

The premiere of Fxguide's Masters of the Craft video series with fx supervisors was last week, adding to it's already good array of interviews and podcasts. This week, fxguidetv #040 features ILM effects supervisor John Knoll on some of his "side" projects, like Photoshop, Knoll Light Factory, and his Apollo documentary project. Also, there's a look at the new term at fxphd.

There's also some good interviews at AWNtv including ones with Paul Debevec, Dennis Muren, Phil Tippitt, and Ray Harryhausen.

A chat with 2008 VFX Oscar Nominees

VFXWorld posted an interview with Oscar nominees Scott Farrar, Mike Fink and John Knoll about Transformers, The Golden Compass, and At World's End:

VFX Oscar Nominees 2008: Conversations with Farrar, Fink and Knoll (via CinemaTech and vfxblog)

IndyMogul leverages low tech FX

IndyMogul could use The DV Rebel's Guide and has a blog too; this from NewTeeVee:

"Can’t afford a team of digital animators to create special effects for your online video project? Don’t have the necessary permits to fire weapons on set? Is your movie good, but could it possibly be better with, say, a scene where the hero escapes from his nemesis on the wings of a bitchin’ jet pack? Then you need to check out Backyard FX from Indy Mogul.

The newest project out of New York-based New New Networks, Indy Mogul was announced earlier this week. It’s kind of like MAKE magazine, but geared toward the independent filmmaking set."