Lighting for Animation

Lighting for Animation　is designed with one goal in mind - to make you a better artist. Over the course of the book, Jasmine Katatikarn and Michael Tanzillo (Senior Lighting TDs, Blue Sky Studios) will train your eye to analyze your work more critically, and teach you approaches and techniques to improve your craft. Focusing on the main philosophies and core concepts utilized by industry professionals, this book builds the foundation for a successful career as a lighting artist in visual effects and computer animation. Inside you’ll find in-depth instruction on:

　

• Creating mood and storytelling through lighting

• Using light to create visual shaping

• Directing the viewer’s eye with light and color

• Gathering and utilizing reference images

• Successfully lighting and rendering workflows

• Render layers and how they can be used most effectively

• Specific lighting scenarios, including character lighting, environment lighting, and lighting an animated sequence

• Material properties and their work with lighting

• Compositing techniques essential for a lighter

• A guide on how to start your career and achieve success as a lighting artist

　

This book is not designed to teach software packages—there are websites, instructional manuals, online demos, and traditional courses available to teach you how to operate specific computer programs.　 That type of training will teach you how to create an image; this book will teach you the technical skills you need to make that image beautiful.　

Key Features

Stunning examples from a variety of films serve to inspire and inform your creative choices.

Unique approach focuses on using lighting as a storytelling tool, rather than just telling you which buttons to press.

Comprehensive companion website contains lighting exercises, assets, challenges, and further resources to help you expand your skillset.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Why We Light The Role of LightingCreating Visual ShapingDirecting the Viewer’s EyeInterview with Chris Wedge – Director :: Blue Sky Studios Chapter 2: Observing the World Around UsGathering ReferenceProcessing Reference Utilizing ReferenceInterview with Sharon Callahan - Lighting Director of Photography :: Pixar Animation StudiosChapter 3: The Lighter’s ToolboxCommon CG LightsBasic Properties of LightShadowsInterview with Andrew Beddini – Technical Supervisor of Imaging :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 4: The Lighter’s WorkflowPre-LightingUnderstanding the Roles of Each LightLet There Be Light!Render LayersRender WorkflowInterview with Mike Knapp – Art Director :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 5: Dissecting a Well-Lit ShotTelling the Story By Emphasizing the MoodDirecting the Viewer’s EyeVisual ShapingInterview with Josh Staub – Visual Effects Supervisor & Lighting Supervisor :: Walt Disney Animation StudiosChapter 6: Lighting ScenariosCharacter Lighting EyesInterior LightingExterior LightingInterview with Haji Uesato :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 7: Materials and CompositingMaterialsSimulating Specific MaterialsCompositing Layering The Final TouchesInterview with Brian Hill – Materials Supervisor :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 8: Honing the Artistic EyeImage BreakdownsInterview with Gabriel Portnoff – CG Supervisor :: Dreamworks AnimationChapter 9: Lighting WalkthroughsLighting Scenario One :: Character Beauty LightingLighting Scenario Two :: Character and EnvironmentLighting Scenario Three :: Multiple CharactersInterview with Yann Mabille – Creative Director/Partner :: InterstateChapter 10: Master LightingLook Development and Master LightingCreating a Clean RigInterview with Eldar Cholich– Lighting Lead :: Blue Sky StudiosInterview with Kurt Kaminski – Lighter :: Walt Disney Animation StudiosChapter 11: Closing StatementsGetting Started as a Lighting ArtistThriving in the IndustryInterview with Deb Stone – Manager, Talent Development :: Blue Sky Studios