Original Special Effects

[happyfilmluvguy]

Today many films feature special effects done with the help of computers. Explosions, car stunts, fire, and others, once done as a visual effect (meaning it was performed on a movie set) have now become simplistic because of the infinite computer. But special effects have existed long before computers. Inventors and their innovative minds saught to create eye opening images that would "oooh and aaah" the audience.

What are some of the original special and visual effects of the past? Who were their inventors? What films can we see these effects used in? Who has used these effects in their films? Where else are these effects used, if not in motion pictures and television?

One visual effect or should I say "illusion", and a well known one at that, that I've always found interesting, is known as "Pepper's Ghost". Invented by John Pepper and Henry Dircks, this effect was used to create a transparent figure, using mirrors and glass set at a 45 degree angle. The effect was used numerous times on the stage before appearing in motion pictures. It is regularly used in "The Ballroom" of the Haunted Mansion at Disney's theme parks.

More history of it, HERE and you too can LEARN how to create it yourself.

 

[CharlieH.]

I'm a big fan of special effects, particularly when it comes to scale models and the blending of two separate images (note that my definition of special effects excludes CGI, as there's nothing special there).
The first effect that comes to mind is one called the Schufftan process (by Eugen Schufftan), which is the predecessor to blue screen and matte paintings. Basically it consists on shooting the scene through a partial mirror, and having the mirrored portion reflect the "fake" set, which was usually a model or a painting, and you got the full picture on camera. This one was used most notably in Metropolis (among other favourite effects):

(The upper half of this image is a reflected model)

Now matte paintings are a simply brilliant effect. Basically you shoot a scene with a part of the lens blocked, thus leaving that portion of the frame unexposed. That same film is later used to shoot a painting of the desired setting on the unexposed portion of the film, thus creating a seamless blend between the two shots. Before optical printers were invented in the 40's, the paintings and the scene were shot at the same time, which was sometimes a pain since the painting had to be done on the spot if they were shooting on location, as was done in Gone With The Wind. This effect is (was?) used primarily in fantasy or period films for views that are too expensive to build or that just plain don't exist anymore. The best examples I can recall are in The Hindenburg. Many scenes of the airship flying were actually a painting on glass.

Miniature effects is one of those old techniques that surprisingly is still being used (albeit with digital enhancement). It's as simple as posing highly deatiled models as the real thing, often used in place of something that is to be destroyed. They are also used for landscapes, as with matte paintings and these are often used with forced perspective (that is, placing them close to the camera so they appear larger) to enhance the effect... or create the effect of a giant person. The best examples I can recall are in The Aviator (not exactly classic, but the techniques are basically the same). Many a scene involving planes used models, particularly the scenes with the Spruce Goose and the XF-11. The long shots of the Hells Angels premiere also involved a detailed model of the theatre and the surrounding area.

 

[Jack Scorpion]

I do some research and writing work on "early cinematography" time and again. Silent stars often made movies where they played different parts and double negatives were used. Snow White, for instance, included many double negatives, including some uses of the transparent. Early cinematography basically was special effects. In fact, some of the earliest cinematographers eventually gave up cranking and became special effects experts.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

One of my personal faves,...

...Ray Harryhausen. I still LOVE this stuff.

[/IMG]

 

[Naphtali]

"Special Effects" is the bane of story telling in motion pictures for the last several decades.

In the pleasant time user, "Sweet Liberty," a movie about making a movie, the director makes cogent reference [paraphrased] about like this: Ninety percent of movie goers are between the ages of 12 and 24. Do you know what they like to see? Three things. One. Rebellion. Two. Blow things up. Three. Take people's clothes off.

Special effects formerly enhanced verisimilitude. Now, ray guns, robots, and rocket ships ARE the movie.
***
One special effect that is an enhancement is, of course, gunfire coming close to its target. Not computer-generation, but the people who are responsible for what is generated have rendered this simple effect as what you might see in a comic book. Compare the effect circa 2007 with the same circa 1965.
***
Note: In the late 1920s and early 1930s, apparently this special effect wasn't. I have a photograph of a an action shot from the set of "Public Enemy" that shows a man with a Thompson submachine gun about to deliver the "special effect" of gunfire coming close to James Cagney.

 

[Fletch]

G'wan giddout...you can't be saying that in 1930 they didn't know how to load a tommy gun with blanks...and plant caps in a wall or window nearby, wired in series, and blow them off by pushing a button.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Just for the record, I'd like to steer clear of "movies today are all about special effects, computers, etc". Let's stay on the topic of original special effects of the past.

How about the wonderful world of green and blue screens?

 

[Fletch]

Just for the record, I'd like to steer clear of "movies today are all about special effects, computers, etc". Let's stay on the topic of original special effects of the past.

Awww, but an essential part of any discussion of the past is how much worse things are today!

I'm happy any models were used in The Aviator. I was worried it would be 100% CGI and look like a video game.

About the last best uses of all models - buildings, vehicles, you name it – were the "Feature Presentation" intro reel for HBO and Spielberg's 1941, where downtown Hollywood of the period was lovingly recreated (can you imagine anyone even wanting to do that today? even with CGI?).

 

[CharlieH.]

About the last best uses of all models - buildings, vehicles, you name it – were the "Feature Presentation" intro reel for HBO and Spielberg's 1941, where downtown Hollywood of the period was lovingly recreated (can you imagine anyone even wanting to do that today? even with CGI?).

Amen!
1941 has som truly great model work... including the finale with the house- 1:1 scale!

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

...Ray Harryhausen. I still LOVE this stuff.

When I took a tour of Culver City Studios, our tour guide told us that Mr. Harryhausen had come to the studio when they were filming "Clash Of The Titans". One of the sound stages were used entirely for the special effects and the landscape filled up half of it.

Does anyone remember at the beginning of Batman (1989), when two thugs had stolen a wallet? We see from above a building the shadowy figure of Batman observing them. I'm pretty sure it was stop motion, but does anyone know who did this specific effect for that film?

Who was the first to use minitures in a film, either full length, a short or as an experiment?

 

[The Wolf]

I love all kinds of special effects however they should be used sparingly and only to when needed in the story (not in place of a story).
The nice thing about older effects were a majority were "in camera". A director could know petty quickly if the effect was working.
Simple effects when used well still work. I often site Sam Raimi's mirror trick in The Evil Dead where Ash touches the "mirror" and it ripples. A simple trick of having a sideways set and actor with water in place of the glass. The effect is great in the movie and no computers used.
Even in the golden age some movies grand standed with special effects. Buster Keaton's Sherlock, Jr. and The Man Who Could Work Miracles come to mind.
Now I'm just rambling. Good topic, hflg.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Naphtali]

Fletch:

I agree with you. The cut line on the photo reads: Filming Public Enemy (with real bullets).

The photograph shows what I believe are the property masters and stunt co-ordinators setting up the shot. Camera is being pushed on a dolly. On a scaffold in the street is a man kneeling, presenting a 1928 Thompson toward James Cagney, from the height and angle, and past the camera. Nearly out of the photograph is another scaffold that holds what I think is a large rectangular mirror or polished metal to help light the shot.

Cagney is leaning casually against the end of a concrete brick/block wall that appears to be the beginning of an alley between buildings. He wears a solid, dark suit with equally dark fedora with two-inch ribbon. He stands in the alley leaning against the edge of the building. One foot is on the sidewalk; one is in the alley. One hand is on his knee; the other against his hip. The pose is casual-relaxed, what you might expect of someone twiddling his thumbs while waiting for his work to begin.

I assume for the shot, Cagney will be behind the edge of the building, protected by the concrete and the camera will ultimately be sufficiently off to the side to create the illusion/perspective that bullets are barely missing him. Quick cuts between "shooter" and Cagney will enhance the illusion.

I saw Public Enemy once. I cannot recall the scene to verify my assumptions.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

That mirror effect was used in one of my favorite movies Orpheus (1950). "I am letting you into the secret of all secrets, mirrors are gates through which death comes and goes. Moreover if you see your whole life in a mirror you will see death at work as you see bees behind the glass in a hive."

 

[Naphtali]

This is more interesting than my previous description. I cut most of the reflector from this graphic.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

There has actually been a small resurgence of using models instead of 3D. Underworld:Evolution and Batman Begins heavily used models and full scale mockups. I like the look much better!

The series "The Young Indiana Jones" was the first television production to use Digital Matte Painting. So blame it on Indy.

And here is my favorite Harryhausen flick, "Valley of the Gwangi".
Cowboys and dinosaurs, what could be better!

 

[DavidVillaJr]

Gwangi is my mother's all time favorite movie!!!

I can't tell you how many times I've seen it, pre-video/dvd.

Every time it was on TV, it was a Gwangi day in our house.lol

dv

 

[Mr. Sable]

I still use those old time effects.

See it in action here.

....aaaaand How it was done.

And I used the old Pepper's Ghost trick a few weeks ago as seen here:

and see how this was done here.

You should've heard the Ooooo's and Ahhhhhh's right on set over a reflection in a piece of glass.

Who needs computers when you can use a toy and a stick and see your results in camera?

I use forced perspective a lot. Most folks think this is a full sized horse or at least a full sized mock up of one.

but it's only about 14" wide.

I've done matte paintings too, but I can't find any examples. durn it.

I love the old time effects. Plus, if you see a cheesy explosion in an old movie, at least you have the satisfaction of knowing that something blew up, not like nowadays with the lame digital 'fire and particle' generators.

 

[HadleyH]

I love the old time effects. Plus, if you see a cheesy explosion in an old movie, at least you have the satisfaction of knowing that something blew up, not like nowadays with the lame digital 'fire and particle' generators.

I couldn't agree more Mr Sable!!! All these 'new' digital effects seem so plastic to me somehow...so... I don't know what's the right word is... just a big empty nothing of make believe. [huh]

 

[Mr. Sable]

"Pepper's Ghost". Invented by John Pepper and Henry Dircks...

Henry Dircks designed "Pepper's Ghost" in 1858, on paper, but Henry Pepper, a theatrical magician built and patented the effect in the 1862. Pepper basically stole the idea and slapped his name on it.

Just so we're clear.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Rats. I was going to post an example of that camera trick. Oh well.

I'll have to speak with Mr. Dircks first.

I look at the old effects as a tool, and while they are still used, but I suppose safety comes first when you are exploding something.

A funny example of that camera trick as well is in a segment of "Kids in the Hall", entitled "Head Crusher"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJbQ4-HFrgU

"I crush your head!"

Mr. Sable, please post your Pepper's Ghost trick in action.