Documentary series dealing with every aspect of special effects in movies, from low-budget make-up to multi-million-dollar computer-generated graphics. The clear presentation includes descriptions of the creation and technical problems of the effects, and interviews with effects technicians, directors, stars and other crew. Each episode deals with one topic, effect or technician (eg theme park rides, CGI, Stan Winston), concentrating on one or more current or recent films.
Discovery · GRB Entertainment · Glacier Point · Sequoia Entertainment Inc.
Runtime
30 min/ep
Release
24/06/1994
Score
8.5 / 10 (2)
Where to watch
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Seasons and episodes
Season 1
18 episodes · 1994
Episode 1. Creature Makeup: Masks and Mirrors
1994-06-24 · 30 min
Prosthetic molds, masks, and makeup with an emphasis on the 1994 fantasy/comedy, Cabin Boy.
Episode 2. Optical Effects: Optical Illusions
1994-07-01 · 30 min
How optical shots are composited with an emphasis on the 1983 George Lucas film, Return of the Jedi.
Episode 3. Creature Articulation: The Art of Imitation
1994-07-08 · 30 min
Creature models and miniatures with an emphasis on the 1993 Roger Corman film, Carnosaur.
Episode 4. Miniature Pyrotechnics: Baby Blasts
1994-07-15 · 30 min
Pyrotechnics with an emphasis on the 1993 Sylvester Stallone film, Cliffhanger.
Episode 5. Forced Perspective: Eye of the Beholder
1994-07-22 · 30 min
Forced perspective trickery with an emphasis on the 1993 Christopher Guest remake of Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman.
Episode 6. Ride Films: Riding the Movies
1994-07-29 · 30 min
Theme park attractions that are film driven, with an emphasis on motion simulator attraction, Star Quest Adventure.
Episode 7. Action Miniatures: Fast and Furious
1994-08-05 · 30 min
Special effects shots using miniatures with an emphasis on the 1993 Fantasy/Romance, Heart and Souls.
Episode 8. Matte Paintings: The Panoramic Art
1994-08-12 · 30 min
How matte paintings are incorporated into special effects shots with an emphasis on the 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values.
Episode 9. Computer Animation: Electric Dreams
1994-08-19 · 30 min
Computer graphic imagery in film, with an emphasis on a talking cat from the 1993 Walt Disney Pictures film, Hocus Pocus.
Episode 10. Cinematic Flight: Up, Up and Away
1994-08-26 · 30 min
The history of flight in film, with an emphasis on the 1993 Walt Disney Pictures film, Hocus Pocus.
Episode 11. Models and Miniatures: A Model of Perfection
1994-09-02 · 30 min
How miniature models are used in effects scenes with an emphasis on the television series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Episode 12. Stop Motion Animation: One Step at a Time
1994-09-09 · 30 min
How stop-motion animation works with an emphasis on the work of Willis O'Brien, Ray Harryhausen, and Phil Tippett.
Episode 13. Atmospheric Effects: Eye of the Storm
1994-09-16 · 30 min
How weather is created for film with an emphasis on the 1993 Clint Eastwood film, In the Line of Fire, and the 1994 Coen Brothers film, The Hudsucker Proxy.
Episode 14. Digital Enhancement: Painting by Numbers
1994-09-23 · 30 min
Computer generated effects in film with an emphasis on the 1993 fantasy/comedy Heart and Souls and a Kodak commercial.
Episode 15. Sound Effects: Audio Awareness
1994-09-30 · 30 min
No synopsis
Episode 16. Pyrotechnics: Bombs and Other Blasts
1994-10-07 · 30 min
How explosions are created for film with an emphasis on the 1993 adaptation of Stephen King's Needful Things.
Episode 17. Weapons: Hits and Misses
1994-10-14 · 30 min
How weapons and ammunition are created for film, with an emphasis on the 1993 Sylvester Stalone action film, Demolition Man.
Episode 18. Physical Effects: Causes and Effects
1994-10-21 · 30 min
How physical gags and effects are executed in film, with an emphasis on the 1993 comedy, Hot Shots! Part Deux.
Season 2
13 episodes · 1994
Episode 1. Digital Effects: Digital Dawn
1994-10-28 · 30 min
No synopsis
Episode 2. Sound for Animation: Animated Audio
1994-11-04
How sound for animation is recorded and mixed with an emphasis on the 1994 film The Pagemaster.
Episode 3. Puppeteering: No Strings Attached
1994-11-11
A look at Jim Henson's Creature Shop creations with an emphasis on The Never Ending Story III (1994), Labyrinth (1986), and The Flintstones (1994).
Episode 4. Live and Archival: Blasts from the Past
1994-11-18
How history can be changed and performances completed posthumously using digitally altered faces with an emphasis on the 1994 Robert Zemeckis classic, Forrest Gump.
Episode 13. Exotic Creatures: It's a Jungle Out There
1995-04-28
No synopsis
Season 4
13 episodes · 1996
Episode 1. Combining Stop Motion and CG: In Living Color
1996-06-28
No synopsis
Episode 2. Body-Altering Effects: Body Building
1996-07-05
No synopsis
Episode 3. Devastation Effects: Movie Mayhem
1996-07-12
No synopsis
Episode 4. Tornadoes: Twist and Shout
1996-07-19
No synopsis
Episode 5. Twinning: Four Heads Are Better Than One
1996-07-26
No synopsis
Episode 6. Full-Scale Effects: Trouble in the Skies
1996-08-02
No synopsis
Episode 7. Maritime Effects: Effects on the High Seas
1996-08-09
No synopsis
Episode 8. Computer Animation: Fine-Tooning
1996-08-16
No synopsis
Episode 9. Human Actors and Dangerous Animals: Animals on the Attack!
1996-08-23
No synopsis
Episode 10. Talking Fantasy Characters: Mouthing Off
1996-08-30
No synopsis
Episode 11. Action Effects: Ultimate Action
1996-09-06
No synopsis
Episode 12. Creepy Crawlers: Your Worst Nightmare
1996-09-13
No synopsis
Episode 13. Ghost Effects: Ghost Stories
1996-09-20
No synopsis
Season 5
13 episodes · 1997
Episode 1. Far Out Creatures: Old and New Friends
1997-06-27
No synopsis
Episode 2. History Unleashed: Down and Out
1997-07-04
No synopsis
Episode 3. Rick Baker: The Transformer
1997-07-11
No synopsis
Episode 4. Aerieal Rigging: Don't Look Down
1997-07-18
No synopsis
Episode 5. Robots: Mechanical Movie Stars
1997-07-25
No synopsis
Episode 6. Prehistoric Creatures and Volcanoes: Cities Under Siege
1997-08-01
No synopsis
Episode 7. Disasters at Sea: That Sinking Feeling
1997-08-08
No synopsis
Episode 8. Demons: Hollywood Goes to Hell
1997-08-15
No synopsis
Episode 9. Scaled Destruction: Big Things Come in Small Packages
1997-08-22
Witness the creation of scaled destruction of miniature cruise ships, flying saucers and a hotel for the following films: "Deep Rising" "The Shining" & "Men In Black."
Episode 10. Deep Space Encounters: Is There Anybody Out There?
1997-08-29
No synopsis
Episode 11. Animal Stars: Animals on the Rampage
1997-09-05
No synopsis
Episode 12. Aerial Mayhem: Terror at 35,000 Feet
1997-09-12
No synopsis
Episode 13. Creating Environments: Out of This World
