Film Special Effects

[Esper]

I'm a big fan of what are called practical effects in movies: Matte paintings, prosthetics, scale models, claymation, puppets, animatronics. They don't get seen as much today with all the CGI and mocap, but to me they're still, well, special and I love watching the how-they-do-it portions on movie extras.

What do you think about the use of special effects in film, both the new and the old? Are there any particular examples that stick out in your mind for being good, bad, or memorable?

 

[JJ Styles]

I remember back in the day, people find ways to portray blood and gore in their action and horror movies without using CGI and their pixar bloodsplatters. It was glorious.

 

[Pinkie-Dawn]

I find it odd that we aren't getting a lot more indie movies that uses practical effects as a style, much like how indie games are using pixels for their style of games instead of polygons. This is the era of indie developers after all.

 

[Esper]

I find it odd that we aren't getting a lot more indie movies that uses practical effects as a style, much like how indie games are using pixels for their style of games instead of polygons. This is the era of indie developers after all.

I'd guess that effects shops aren't too numerous nowadays and that they can't always meet the demands of indie movie makers because either they need more money for their work or the schedules won't jive.

 

[JohnnyGolduck]

I like practical effects more that CGI but I do think CGI done well is very pretty to look at. I like stop-motion a lot too. Sure, it doesn't look real but you can appreciate the artistry.

What are some of the best effects you guys have seen in movies? For me nothing beats The Thing!