CGI in Movies : How can I start learning VFX or animation? What are some good books for starting? Should I learn MAYA to get into VFX?

Animation itself is a form of art and animators are supposed to be good at life drawing or sketching and the people who do visual effects in films and television are called visual artists. You can't avoid art to make a career in a industry which has its roots in art. There are a few other options like technical directors, who are responsible for the workflow of the computer code used in the creative process. That could be another viable option if you like programming. Auto desk's Maya is a 3-D modeling/animation application and is a fair choice to begin with. Learning only one application will get you nowhere, unless you are exceptionally good at it. You have to learn at least 3 to 4 different software packages to get your first paid job. You can stay focused on Maya, while learning basic compositing in Nuke, Shake or After Effects or you could take few online lessons on painting in MARI or Photoshop. It will help you in completing your portfolio. If you are seeking a life long career, there is slim chance that you could find it. Not, because you detest art, but the industry is already going through much trouble and is laying off artists. 21 major effects companies closed there doors and declared bankruptcy in the last decade.

I recommend to watch the breakdown cgi videos - they really show you what was DONE to the images created.  VFX is just one component of film making - and is in the section called post production.  Learning about how films are made can help you understand your role in the post production phase.  Watch movies with lots of visual effects - read about what was done in the movie. A large staple of the vfx artist is effects that are seamless - a set extension, or added prop. (i had to add a flag to a pole poking a tiger in last samuari)  Goto museums and look at art this will help you learn form and function and color.  Finally each of the software has its niche- maya is used for almost everything while programs like lightwave are used more for TV.  Max is more games, and houdini for smoke and particle effects.  Pick something you love and concentrate on that and make sure you know it backwards and forwards.  The CG field is more about niche  abilities than generalists - although stick with it long enough and you automatically become a generalist =)  here is a site that teaches animation - http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/12-principles-of-animation-by-frank-thomas-and-ollie-johnston/

If you're young and adventurous you can start out as a runner at a major VFX facility. A runner works in the facilities department and doesn't touch the computers (maybe cleans them...). These companies provide training for runners and you can slowly work and study your way up. A lot depends on how hard working you are and how you manage your connections. Then you're a step inner already and learn directly from the masters. You however should have some background or an ability to persuade HR that you'd be a good choice.

You can start learning VFX or animation by following up with tutorials from cmivfx, or Digital Tutorials or just try google search, participate in VFX discussion forums and ask them what the industry latest trends of which tools is being used like Nuke , Mocha, or Silhouette or Maya, Houdini or 3DSmaxLearning Maya will get you into the field of 3D which is as good as getting into field of 2d which would require you to learn Nuke, Fusion or Silhouette which are industry standard tools for generating matte(rotoscopy), compositing etc.

I think a good understanding(working knowledge ) of all software packages or at least the major ones will give you an advantage.You need to make a vfx reel.A portfolio of your work so that people can see what you have done.Post your blockbusters on YouTube to get some exposure.You don't need to purchase Maya or 3dsmax.Watching videos and learn is better than reading books.YouTube has thousands of videos.You can get fully functional versions with a student license.Check out Autodesk's website for more info.GOOD luck.

Animation is one big universe and VFX is another big universe!I start with animation:First you need to get the basics. What is animation? -> Sequence of images that when played in a certain order generate the illusion of motion!When you understood this you need to learn the 12 Principles of animation: Squash and Strech Anticipation Staging Straght Ahead and Pose to Pose Follow Through and Overlapping Action Slow in Slow Out Arcs Secondary Action Timing Exaggeration Solid Drawing Appeal Where to learn those principles?Get these 2 books: https://www.amazon.com/Animators-Survival-Kit-Principles-Classical/dp/086547897X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466507955&sr=1-1&keywords=animation+survival+kit (see also: http://www.theanimatorssurvivalkit.com/) https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Animation-Illusion-Frank-Thomas/dp/0896596982/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466507990&sr=1-3&keywords=the+illusion+of+life Those are the MUST HAVE books for animators. Also like already mentioned there are online resources like http://www.digitaltutors.com / http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com / http://www.jasonryananimation.com/tutorials.html and many others, where you can do tutorials for almos any kind of 3D software.Other useful books are: https://www.amazon.com/Acting-Animators-Revised-Performance-Animation/dp/032500580X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466508277&sr=1-2&keywords=acting+for+animators https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Staring-Facial-Modeling-Animation/dp/0471789208/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466508326&sr=1-2&keywords=stop+staring https://www.amazon.com/Timing-Animation-John-Halas/dp/0240521609/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466508370&sr=1-25&keywords=animation For 3D-animation you do not need to be able to draw but it can be very helpful. A lot of professional 3d-Animator do small thumbnails of what they want to animate, to get ideas, and see if the idea can work. But in the end most of them will record them self acting out the scene to get video references. So I would suggest you get a webcam/go-pro/iphone whatever and start recording your self or objects you want to animate to get a feeling for how things move. On youtube you also find all sorts of video references.When you start reading one of those books you will need to do some practice. So getting basic knowledge of the 3D-software that you want to learn is a must, and then you can start with some basic exercises. If you have no clue what to animate, here some inspiration:http://www.animatorisland.com/51-great-animation-exercises-to-master/What sofware to use?I would suggest Maya for the simple reason that in the majority of the big VFX studios Maya is like the standard 3d-software. Studios like Disney/Pixar/Sony Animation/Dreamworks have there in house software, but once you learned a package like Maya and you know how to animate, you will have no problems to animate in any other software. If you know how to animate, the software becomes second nature.If you do not have access to Maya start with https://www.blender.org/. It is for free and is pretty powerful.If you want to animate in 3D you will need some free rigs to do some animation. You can find a lot of good and FREE animation rigs here (obviously you need to download a rig that works with the 3d software you are using): http://animationbuffet.blogspot.co.nz/ https://www.creativecrash.com/maya/downloads/character-rigs/c/ http://www.animationmentor.com/free-maya-rig/ http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/downloads/free-maya-rigs/ When you reach a level that you feel pretty confident about your animation skills I would try to participate to the monthly challenge on http://www.11secondclub.com/. Every month they post an audio line that is 11 seconds long. You have the hole month time to animate and then upload your result. Then there will be a voting from everybody and that will decide the monthly winner. It is a great way to get feedback from others, learn from others and also see where you stand compared to other animators. Winning is not the important part here.I think that should get you started for the animation part.What about VFX?Well VFX is a bit of a generic term. that basically involves everything else (and includes also animation). I guess that you want to go into the 3D part of VFX. That includes things like modeling/shading/lighting/rendering/rigging/simulation and so on.If you are not sure what you want to do I would subscribe to 1 month free trial at http://www.digitaltutors.com and watch the videos under VFX -> CG101 and then continue with the “Learning Path” that interests you the most. If you find the site useful you should subscribe, it is not really expensive and you have tons of great material to work with.You can find also a lot of free tutorials online on pages like: http://www.3dtotal.com/tutorials/ http://pixologic.com/zclassroom/ https://www.blender.org/support/tutorials/ http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/ Or just use google! =)When you start to get the basics down for what interests you more, and start doing your own small projects, share it on pages like: http://www.cgsociety.org/ http://www.3dtotal.com http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/ Great way of getting feedback and learn from others.Hope that helps you to get things started!

Good ,Dont start with Maya because maya is complex and very powerfull 3d software start with a easy one like cinema 4d or belender(how ever these softwares also takes alot of time to be master of its tools) there is alot of toutrials on internet most of them free or paid you can see them and also start fundmentals concepts like what is 3d and alot of other staffs to start 3d animation or vfx , softwares are just a platform for you to create what u have inside of u r mind .

It is best to scout a good institution that teach you VFX or Animation. There are several institution that teach you VFX and Animation but the important thing is to ask for reviews about the institution and especially how the staff is teaching. Teachers matter a lot and how they are teaching you. You can start out with institutions such as Maac, arena, reliance or try universities like whistling woods or DSK international.You can find a huge bundle of books on vfx and animation. To start off, you can try out these authors : Eric Keller, John Edgar Park, Cheryl Cabrera or Darius Darakshani.From what I have acquired so far, I know that 3D VFX do ask some basic knowledge of physics and computer programming. A better understanding of how fluids, fire, smoke or cloth works under various conditions. Fluids is all about basic understanding of Thermodynamics but usually it won’t be an issue but VFX does apply basic understanding of science when it comes to the 3D world so if you are passionate about it, pick it up and also be ready to do a little bit of science as well.

Go to digital tutors you will find everything you need thereYes, Maya is an industry standard and there are tons of its tutorials on digital tutors.I cannot advice you much on Maya as I am a 3ds max guyHowever I would like to mention that softwares don't matter it's your knowledge and skills that matter.So once you learn Maya see tutorials for other programs but do them in MayaOh and if you are getting into visual effects I do recommend you learn a compositing sodtwareSome of the best compositors are:-NUKEAFTER EFFECTS.