Preface
Many years ago I taught a class at New York University's Center for Advanced Digital Applications (NYU CADA) on the topic of the "history of visual effects". Some of that class is incorporated into these notes but the focus has changed somewhat. Now this is more of "a study guide to visual effects" or what films/sequences you should have seen, at least once, in order to appreciate and give context to this work. My joke at the time was that "this was the stuff you have to have seen if you want to work in the slave pits of the rich", by which I was referring to all those who wanted to sell out and work for a large corrupt media corporation. God bless you, all of you, I just want to help you achieve your life's goals. I find it distressing that the noble field of visual effects is relegated to some of the lowest levels of esteem as perceived by the audience, the above the line artists, and the executives of the motion picture industry. I see this ...