Apple Pro Training Series: Shake 4
by Marco Paolini
Shake Manual
Talk about making an impact: Apples Shake compositing and visual effects
software has been used in every Academy Award-winning film for visual
effects since its debut. Its no wonder that trained Shake artists are in high
demand, and theres nowhere better to begin getting that training than with
this fully updated (for Shake 4) and comprehensive Apple-approved guide
(which includes a free 30-day trial version of this multi-thousand dollar
software) Using step-by-step, hands-on instruction, Hollywood effects
wizard Marco Paolini takes you through Shakes interface and features,
including its color correction tools, tracking and stabilization capabilities,
integrated procedural paint, powerful new floating point technology,
advanced keyframing, blue and green screen techniques, rotoscoping
tools, and more. As with the other titles in the Apple Pro Training series
each chapter in this guide represents a complete lesson, with a project to
complete, a review section, and bonus exercises to help test what youve
learned. The accompanying DVD includes the lesson files needed to

complete the books projects. You can work through the book from cover to
cover to get an entire course or you can go straight to the lessons that
interest you most. Either way, youll find the coverage you need to confront
even the most daunting compositing and effects tasks with Shake.
Personal Review: Apple Pro Training Series: Shake 4 by Marco
Paolini
When PeachPit sent me this book to review I was already excited about it
since Shake is something I've taken much interest in the last couple
months. I'd already begun to amass all kinds of training resources on the
topic and had even set out a schedule for which to execute the
consumption of said resources. So receiving this book was much on point
for me.
At the time of this review I had already worked my way through the Shake
documentation (the first stop on my agenda) so I went into this with a
rudimentary understanding of the application. I was pleased to discover
that the writer of this book had taken that into consideration (and without
even having to ask me!). They even state in the opening chapter that the
book is not meant to replace the [free] documentation that comes with
every Shake install but is aimed at enhancing what's already there. I found
this to be accurate to some degree. After all, the basics must still be
covered for those who were too [lazy/unaware/apathetic] towards the
Shake documentation but for the most part every chapter enhanced its
documentation counter-part rather nicely.
The second top notable feature of this book, in my opinion, is that you are
supposedly adequately ready to take (and presumably pass) the Apple Pro
Certification exam on Shake after completing the book. I say supposedly
because I myself have not taken the exam and cannot speak on my
preparedness. However, as some may know, the PeachPit book on Shake
is the curriculum used in Apple Pro Training classes all over these great
United States. This is also stated early in the book.
Other notable features of the book include a chapter relevant keyboard
shortcuts matrix at the end of every chapter, high quality examples (some
being clips from commercials you've seen on TV) for you, the student, to
dig your fingers into in the labs, and pro level tips peppered throughout the
book such as "always be sure auto-keyframe is enabled before
rotoscoping (no one wants to roto for an hour only to find their work lost
due to an oversight)" or "instead of color-matching in RGB, color-match
each individual channel separately. it is much easier this way". The tips
may seem basic but we all forget the basics sometimes so its great that
they include this aspect of real-world protocols in a training book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This is notable because I went into it with
high expectations, which is usually a situation ripe with potential for
disappointment. It was a fun and easy read and clearly written by a
seasoned professional (the Pro Training way). I felt like he was my mentor

sometimes the way he addressed certain issues "they don't teach you in
school" (mentioned earlier in this review). I do recommend, if you buy the
book, to download the errata available from PeachPit's website. It will clear
up some minor confusion from the few typos that appear in chapters 2 and
13.
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About the reviewer: Ezra Peace is a narrative filmmaker based in New
York. His credits include several feature length independent films and
many independent short films as well as marketing and promotional work
done in Miami and New York.
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