Stuff You Should Know Special Effects: A Short History
Sep 12, 2019
Dive into the captivating world of special effects, tracing their fascinating evolution from early filmmaking techniques to modern CGI wizardry. Discover how iconic figures like Georges Méliès shaped cinema and explore the artistry behind negative matte painting. Hear about the groundbreaking effects in 'Jurassic Park' and the intricate blend of puppetry and CGI. Celebrate 'The Matrix' as it marks a significant anniversary, and enjoy humorous insights into the complexities of actors like Ed Harris in the realm of film magic.
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First Special Effect
- Alfred Clark created the first special effect in film history around 1893-1895.
- In his short film "The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots," he used a stop trick to switch the actress with a dummy for the beheading scene.
Father of Special Effects
- Georges Méliès is considered the father of special effects, pioneering many early techniques.
- He discovered the stop trick accidentally when his camera jammed while filming, leading to a surprising transformation in the scene.
Matte Painting
- Matte paintings were a crucial special effect, used to create elaborate backgrounds before CGI.
- James Cameron, before directing, was a matte painter, creating the cityscape in "Escape from New York."