The Industrial Light and Magic Book is a comprehensive guide to the world-renowned visual effects company, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). ILM has been at the forefront of innovative visual effects for over 40 years, working on some of the most iconic films in history, including Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Avengers: Endgame. The book takes readers behind the scenes of ILM, exploring the techniques and technology used to create stunning visual effects. It delves into the history of the company, from its beginnings as a small team working on Star Wars to its current status as a leader in the industry. The book also highlights some of the most notable projects ILM has worked on, showcasing the groundbreaking effects that have become synonymous with their name. One of the key aspects of the Industrial Light and Magic Book is its exploration of the creative process used by ILM artists.
Julie Turnock’s The Empire of Effects makes a crucial contribution to the literature on special effects, both historical and contemporary. Among Turnock’s interventions is her challenge to ILM’s official history of how 'special visual effects' developed from an optical-photochemical field to a digital one, in an argument that expertly maps stylistic history onto the terrain of studio economics. She has pored through thousands of pages of trade journals and four decades’ worth of FX magazines in addition to the voluminous scholarly work on New Hollywood’s infrastructure, form, and style, and from this broader perspective has also formed a compelling take on the peculiar ideology of auteurism that surrounds effects artists and their work. ~Paul Young, author of The Cinema Dreams Its Rivals: Media Fantasy Films from Radio to the Internet
Among Turnock s interventions is her challenge to ILM s official history of how special visual effects developed from an optical-photochemical field to a digital one, in an argument that expertly maps stylistic history onto the terrain of studio economics. We follow the intricate crafts of matte painting, model making, and optical compositing as they are transformed into digitally driven systems, and we track the contributions of model and creature makers, animation specialists and optical technicians, and the unsung stage hands and pyrotechnic experts.
One of the key aspects of the Industrial Light and Magic Book is its exploration of the creative process used by ILM artists. It provides insight into the development and execution of visual effects shots, from concept art and storyboards to the final rendering. The book also includes interviews with ILM artists and technicians, offering a glimpse into their creative mindset and the challenges they face in bringing imagination to life on the big screen.
'Light & Magic' Will Tell The History Of Industrial Light & Magic Through A Six-Part Docuseries
In November of 2011, Abrams & Chronicle Books released Industrial Light & Magic: The Art of Innovation, a fascinating coffee-table sized chronology of the history and the achievements of ILM, accompanied by countless photos and illustrations.
For those, who are not willing to pay the roughly $100 for the book in mint condition, but still want to get an inside look into the past and present of the first and probably most famous special-effects house in the world, there will soon be an alternative:
Light & Magic, an original six episodes docuseries, is to be streamed exclusively on Disney+.
The series, which is directed by Lawrence Kasdan (writer of The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Raiders of the Lost Ark) and produced among others by Ron Howard and Kathleen Kennedy will take a deep dive back into the earliest days of ILM in the mid-70s when George Lucas recruited a diverse team of people who were tasked with bringing the script for Star Wars to life and to accomplish things that had never been done before and seemed impossible at the beginning.
To ramp up the hype, Lucasfilm released a trailer for the documentary:
Starting with the trench run on the first Death Star, the invention of optical printing and the Dykstraflex, to stop-motion animated AT-ATs, the creation of the revolutionary morphing technology for The Abyss and Terminator 2, live-action dinosaurs for Jurrasic Park, Bob Hoskins interacting with a cartoon rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the Avengers saving New York from an alien invasion, up until today’s the Volume, that was used to create the current Star Wars TV-shows.
The show will include interviews with people, who have been there from day one, like George Lucas himself, Dennis Murren, Joe Johnston, Robert Edlund or Phil Tippet, but also other directors, who have employed the services of ILM for their own movies like James Cameron, Steven Spielberg or Ron Howard.
All six episodes of Light & Magic will be available on Disney+ on July 27.
Any historian of merit would commend and envy her usage of these primary source materials. ~The Journal of American Culture
In addition to showcasing the visual effects work of ILM, the book also examines the broader impact of the company on the film industry. It discusses how ILM's innovations have influenced the evolution of visual effects and the role they play in storytelling. The book also touches on the collaborative nature of the field, highlighting the partnerships between ILM and other industry leaders to create seamless and immersive visual experiences. Ultimately, the Industrial Light and Magic Book is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of visual effects and the art of filmmaking. It provides a comprehensive look at one of the most influential visual effects companies in history and the incredible work they have produced throughout the years..
Reviews for "Industrial Light and Magic: The Architects of Cinematic Illusion"
1. John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the effort put into the "Industrial Light and Magic" book, I found it to be quite disappointing. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights into the world of visual effects. The content felt superficial, and I felt like I didn't gain any new knowledge or understanding from reading it. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating behind-the-scenes work of Industrial Light and Magic.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was really looking forward to reading the "Industrial Light and Magic" book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The information provided was basic and felt like it was taken from a Wikipedia page rather than delving into the intricate details of the visual effects industry. The writing style was lackluster, making it a struggle to stay engaged. I was left feeling unsatisfied and craving a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter.
3. Michael - 2 stars - As a fan of visual effects and the film industry in general, I had high hopes for the "Industrial Light and Magic" book. However, I found it to be underwhelming and lacking in substance. The book barely scratched the surface of what could have been an exciting exploration of the groundbreaking work done by Industrial Light and Magic. The content felt scattered and disjointed, failing to provide a cohesive narrative or any in-depth analysis. Overall, I was left wanting more and felt let down by this book.