Invisible Visual Effects

The Hidden Magic of Film VFX

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by Jin Zhi

Type

Didactic

Subject

Technique > Special effects

Keywords

special effects, computer

Publishing date

2026 (July 09, 2026)

Publisher

Routledge

Collection

A Focal Press Book

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 358 pages
6 x 9 inches (15 x 23 cm)

ISBN

978-1-032-12453-7

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Book Presentation:
This book offers a systematic introduction to essential visual effects (VFX) production, addressing both the internal operations of VFX studios and the external collaborations between facilities. It is designed to equip readers with a solid understanding of production pipelines, workflows, and industry standards, enabling them to apply this knowledge to personal projects, professional development, and job applications. With its alignment to university-level teaching standards, the book also serves as a practical textbook for VFX courses at various academic levels.

Structured across six chapters, the book covers a wide range of topics from professional terminology and project collaboration to operating platforms, software tools, and the structure of production workflows. It also includes the author’s perspective on recent technological advancements in the creative industries, such as AI integration and virtual production, addressing common concerns about how these changes may impact learning and career development.

To support applied learning, the book includes hands-on exercises tied to real-world projects and features eight detailed case studies. Each case study is accompanied by pre-recorded demonstration videos, designed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical execution through a clear, step-by-step progression. The final chapter offers professional advice on building VFX demo reels for entry-level roles, helping readers craft compelling portfolios and strengthen their career prospects.

About the Author:
Dr Jin Zhi is a tenured faculty member and a practitioner of film visual effects based in the United States. He is a Certified Nuke Trainer accredited by Foundry and a Teaching Fellow recognized by Advance HE in the UK. Over the past 15 years, he has worked as both a full-time academic and a VFX artist at leading universities and world-renowned visual effects studios in the United Kingdom and the United States.

See the publisher website: Routledge