Reddit mentions of The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures

> So I assume there are people who's jobs are just to mess around with this kind of stuff all day

You forget to realize there has been ~100 years of cinema already. A lot of "messing around" has already been done by others in the past.. and that info can now be found in textbooks.

VES Handbook

The VES Handbook gives an excellent rundown.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects-Procedures/dp/0240812425

Hey, I'm currently in a similar situation myself as a college student graduating next week. You said that you've only been in this for a month? Keep in mind that's still very early on in the game, and people learn at different rates.

You might not be able to cram and force yourself to learn everything you need to know at a faster rate. But that being said, as for multiple roto layers and multiple keys, it's about breaking it down and simplifying the plates to tackle them bits at a time. Sometimes one keyer won't be able to key everything well, so multiple keyers are used and then combined together.

I'd really recommend purchasing these two books (a bit pricey, but may very well be worth the investment):

VES Handbook of Visual Effects

The Art and Science of Digital Compositing

http://www.amazon.com/The-VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects/dp/0240812425/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

VES Handbook

is pretty good aswell

http://www.amazon.ca/The-VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects/dp/0240812425

If you hit Look Inside here, you can see a good section of the book.

The visual effects society handbook...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects/dp/0240812425

I was in the same position as you some months ago, someone on this sub suggested me to take a look at this book

No regrets, if you wan't to learn VFX and all his concepts I recommend that.

This may help.

https://www.amazon.com/VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects-Procedures/dp/0240812425

The VES handbook would probably be a good reference for you.

http://www.amazon.com/The-VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects/dp/0240812425

Wait so Visual Effects Society = VES. So they made this book? https://www.amazon.com/VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects-Procedures/dp/0240812425

are you looking to learn a 3D software ? or just how to composite 3d footage ? there are a lot of 3d programs out there each has different learning curve,pros\cons . so it depends if you are doing it for yourself or planning on going into the vfx industry .
the best nuke tutorials (imo) are by FXPhd . vse handbook is a great book . if you are interested in vfx pipeline there is a great tutorial on digital tutors link .

Read this bookthen come back with any questions.