Films can profoundly capture magic and make us suspend our disbelief as they dazzle us with life-like magic, futuristic technology, and terrifying horrors. This is all made possible through the science of special effects. Discover the secrets behind movie magic with these facts about special effects.
7 Movie Magic and Special Effects Facts
1. Visual effects, or VFX, differ from special effects. (Source)
While both methods create stunning movie magic, visual effects refer to editing and technology applied to films during post-production. Special effects are mechanics and optical illusions used during the film process, such as green screens.
2. The first film special effects were done in 1857 by Oscar Rejlander. (Source)
Rejlander used 30 photo negatives and combined them together to create an illusion of motion and a strange, morphed appearance in his subjects. This was the first example of a montage print.
3. Before CGI, films relied on special effects like puppeteering. (Source)
One of the most famous puppets in cinema is the titular giant gorilla in King Kong. The creature was a 12-foot-tall puppet created by master horror puppeteer Carlos Rambaldi. The King Kong puppet is one of the most complex ever built for the film world.
4. Infrared special effects created the haunting atmosphere of Giedi Prime. (Source)
Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune 2, used thermal optic special effects to create the color-drained, ethereal atmosphere of the planet Giedi Prime. The shots were filmed using infrared special effects with de-saturation visual effects applied in post-production to create the unique “Harkonnen Effect.”
5. The ship in Titanic was a massive undertaking in special effects. (Source)
The film Titanic tells the story of a doomed ocean liner. As one of the largest ships in the world, re-creating this ship using practical effects was no easy feat. A massive replica was created just for the sinking scene. The replica was cracked in half to truly give the audience a sense of the massive destruction.
6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button featured groundbreaking makeup effects. (Source)
Brad Pitt starred in this film about a man who ages backward. To achieve the impressive de-aging effect, makeup special effects were used to transform Brad Pitt into various stages of life. CGI was used to enhance the effect, but there’s no doubt that masterful makeup made the believable effects possible. This was the first time de-aging was featured in such a prominent film, paving the way for other filmmakers.
7. Pyrotechnics are a staple in the world of special effects. (Source)
Explosions and major fires are part of what makes action sequences so exciting. Ever since the dawn of cinema, films like The Wizard of Oz have used real fires to create tension. Highly trained pyrotechnicians build controlled fires and explosions, utilizing all the tools science offers to create a beautiful yet safe display. Fires and explosions in films are usually not as large as they appear on screen. Other clever special effects are used to make the fire appear larger than it is.
Featured image by Ivana Tomášková from Pixabay.
