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Mar 12, 2023 · Special effects are techniques and technologies that create illusions or enhance visual elements in a movie. Otherwise noted as SFX, these effects can be either practical or digital, and are used to add visual interest, realism, or fantasy to a film.
- EW Staff
- Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) Digital effects had only barely been invented when James Cameron decided to meld practical effects and the new tech, and made his sequel bad guy a CGI shape-changer.
- Jurassic Park (1993) Often regarded as the official beginning of the computer-effects era, Steven Spielberg's dino romp is actually the perfect Venn diagram merging of practical effects and CGI.
- The Matrix (1999) Devotees of Hong Kong action cinema and video game aesthetics, the Wachowskis merged their influences into bullet time, the slow-motion tracking shot created using elaborate multi-camera rigs.
- Tremors (1990) The last great creature feature of the predigital era, Tremors' underground Graboid monsters are grotesquely phallic gigantic worms. Only one life-size model was created—and in the grand tradition of Jaws, the monsters are most scary when they're off screen.
Special effects and visual effects are tools for realizing the vision of a filmmaking team. It’s often easy to forget the “tool” part. Special and visual effects serve a particular purpose, which is immersing your audience in the story you are trying to tell. The choice can be high stakes too.
Special effects are the magic behind the unforgettable visuals in movies that transport us to other worlds. They’re the secret ingredient that makes the impossible seem possible, captivating audiences with everything from explosive action sequences to subtle manipulations of reality.
Dec 22, 2021 · Learn about the different types of special effects and their long history in filmmaking, from mechanical to optical to digital. Explore examples of special effects in movies, from King Kong to Star Wars to The Matrix.
Jan 30, 2024 · Learn about the history, evolution, and impact of special effects in movies, from practical to visual effects. Discover the techniques, genres, and examples of SFX in this comprehensive guide.
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Special effects in movies are mechanical or artificial visual effects that contribute heavily to the visual experience of the audience. In order to continue to engage audiences, filmmakers must create better special effects, some of which can redefine or alter the industry into the future.
