Special effects can elevate a film to new heights. Considering the point of a film is to create a suspension of disbelief, distorting reality through the use of technology is extremely beneficial. The first recorded use of special effects in film is found in Alfred Clarke’s 1895 horror film. The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, which features the use of stop-motion to simulate decapitation. It’s safe to say that film technology has come a long way since then. In modern times, many films are famous for the introduction and execution of new special effects techniques.
James Cameron has proven to be one of the contemporary special effects experts in the film industry. He was involved in the making of the Terminator model from the T-1000 series, which demonstrated revolutionary looks. Cameron is rumored to be directing Terminator 7which will undoubtedly set a new standard in the CGI domain. From him avatar franchise, which should introduce Avatar: Fire and Ash in 2025, it implemented virtual reality with live action scenes that were simply beautiful. Milestones like Cameron’s have been achieved by many filmmakers over the years and have helped create the standard of visual effects that exists today.
1
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Technicolor
Technicolor refers to a color processing method that was first implemented during the Golden Age of Hollywood, which occurred roughly between the 1930s and 1950s. Essentially, this technique used real-life color values ​​and then included in the post-production of the film. Although he was not the first to implement this technique, Victor Fleming’s work The Wizard of Ozwhich should have a remake, used technicolor in the most iconic way.
What makes the application of this special effect in this film so unique comes from how it is incorporated into the narrative and how incredible it looks. At the beginning of the film, when Dorothy (Judy Garland) is still in Kansas, the image is in black and white. However, the moment she is transported to the magical world, he turns and the coloring suddenly shines. Although it may seem like a basic factor, it was revolutionary for the time.
2
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Antigravity effects
Director Stanley Kubrick’s epic sci-fi adventure 2001: A Space Odyssey was such an important film in the history of the industry for several reasons. In addition to the breathtaking visuals, demonstrated a new approach to storytelling that had never been seen before. 2001: A Space Odyssey It has a non-linear narrative structure, a concept foreign to cinema at the time.
The film also has a gorgeous, realistic atmosphere, a product of Kubrick’s approach to visual effects. To achieve the appearance of zero gravity in space, Kubrick built a huge centrifuge for the Discovery spacecraft, which was nearly 80 meters long. This structure would rotate in a circle, which generated the effect of antigravity on the actors within it. The legendary film also incorporated multiple sequences with surreal and hallucinogenic cinematography that had never been executed in the same way.
3
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Dykstraflex System
THE Star Wars saga needs no introduction. The epic space opera is considered one of the best franchises in cinema history, and for good reason. George Lucas’ original works inspired an entire generation who transitioned into the next era of cinema. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope the effects of the spacecraft were notable and were a product of the innovations of Lucas and his team.
One of the most notable technological advances resulting from the film was a motion control camera system created especially for the project, known as Dykstraflex. This was essentially a camera mounted on a dynamic crane that could move in virtually unlimited directions. The Dykstraflex system was then used in conjunction with a blue screen against miniature models of spacecraft to create epic aerial dogfight scenes that are so immersive.
4
Foreigner (1979)
Xenomorphs
Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror Foreigner it effectively created a new subgenre of films and also started an entire franchise. There were so many qualities that made this film stand out, from the masterful writing to the astonishing cinematography. However, it was the use of practical effects in Foreigner this made the film as iconic and horrific as it was.
Director Ridley Scott’s implementation of practical effects was executed perfectly and gave the film a genuinely realistic feel. The most famous of these were the techniques used to portray the malicious Xenomorph aliens. The tall, dark, vicious-looking monsters were controlled by actors in oversized costumes to make them seem more real. It’s amazing how its design has persisted over the years, with effects that are still compelling more than 40 years after the film’s original release.
5
Tron (1982)
Computer generated images
1982, by Steven Lisberger Tron was the first feature film to make extensive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) throughout the plot, and changed the standard of visual effects on a massive scale. While the simple use of CGI seems elementary if not standard in modern films, it was by no means a common practice during the period.
The hardest part was seamlessly combining computer simulation effects with live action footage, but Tron he achieved it in a masterful way. This was especially imperative for the depiction of the film’s famous light cycles, which radiate a beam of color behind them. Although the computer graphics seem unremarkable from a modern perspective, they persist in a way that matches the film’s aesthetic and were certainly monumental when Tron was released.
6
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
T-1000
It is interesting that Terminator 2: Judgment Day presented the degree of complexity of the special effects, especially considering that the visuals of the original Terminator were relatively average. However, James Cameron came to act during his work on the sequel and didn’t fail to deliver. Unsurprisingly, special effects witnessed a drastic change between projects, given that the first film’s budget was $6.4 million, while the second installment had $100 million to play with.
Although the film makes solid use of practical effects for the action scenes, the spectacle is undoubtedly Terminator 2innovative model T-1000. The antagonist featured a body made of liquid metal that could shapeshift into a variety of forms. It’s a difficult concept to portray on screen, especially considering the era, but Cameron’s perfect combination of CGI and live-action footage it helped bring the T-1000 to life and give a realistic feel to such an unfeasible machine.
7
Jurassic Park (1993)
Realistic dinosaurs
Steven Spielberg Jurassic Park seemed like an anomaly considering the history of cinematic special effects. There was such a stark difference in the degree of Jurassic Park realism compared to the projects that came before it. For the first time, a film created believable animatronic dinosaurs that presented an unparalleled suspension of disbelief.
Spielberg achieved his goal through a well-crafted culmination of live-action footage, puppetry, and computer-generated imagery. The result were creatures that truly seemed to be right next to the actors. The masterful effects left audiences at the time speechless and clearly attributed to the film’s enormous success. The film had a budget of just $63 million, but grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Spielberg’s work created an entire beloved franchise that should continue Jurassic World: Rebirth in 2025.
8
The Matrix (1999)
Marker time
The Matrix represented a significant advance in cinematic technological innovation. The film not only introduced new visual effects techniques and styles, but also integrated them into the film in a way that perfectly matched the film’s aesthetic. Lana and Lilly Wachowski clearly had a vision for the film, and it was carefully executed to create a masterpiece. There are numerous instances of noteworthy special effects throughout the plot, from physics-breaking fight scenes to computer-coded scenarios.
However, the most iconic and perhaps most impressive application was The Matrix implementation of “bullet time”. These scenes depict characters in a 360-degree view in slow motion. As the perspective slowly rotates around the characters, it feels like time has stopped. The bullet time special effects were created using an innovative configuration of static cameras in a spiral orientation, which successively captured a sequence of frames. These images were then stitched together in post-production to give the facade a rotating, time-warping point of view.
9
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Gollum Motion Capture
There is so much to unravel behind the incredible special effects management in Peter Jackson’s film The Lord of the Rings franchise. The very creation of Middle Earth is a beautiful thing. The culmination of computer-generated imagery and New Zealand’s already stunning landscape constructed a fantasy world that did not seem in any way man-made. The series also didn’t just rely on technological effects. The grotesque Orcs, for example, were created with prosthetics and makeup.
However, the film’s groundbreaking spectacle was Andy Serkis’ Gollum and the motion capture technology used to bring him to life. Gollum was created using a careful combination of computer-generated imagery and motion capture technology, and the results speak for themselves. His first real exposure came in the second installment of the franchise. Gollum had a fictional yet tangible portrayal that was utterly chilling. In fact, the creature was so iconic that there are plans to release a 2026 Lord of the Rings Gollum film.
10
Avatar (2009)
stereoscopic 3D
James Cameron’s huge success avatar may be the greatest marvel of modern innovation in special effects. The quality of the film’s 2009 release made it seem like James Cameron single-handedly had advanced technology 10 years in the future. The depiction of the Na’vi looked like something out of a dream. Not only did the creatures look completely believable, but they also gave off a hallucinogen-like effect, to the point where their existence didn’t seem possible. Cameron is known for his cinematic innovation, but his work on this film is second to none.
Avatars Innovative special effects were partially created using a technique known as stereoscopic 3D capture, which involves a unique camera setup that records two similar images at the same time, in the same way the human eye would operate. This results in depth projection and optimizes footage for three-dimensional viewing. Cameron realized this concept using specific equipment designed for the film known as fusion camera systems. The final product was a breathtaking visual display that has not been rivaled since.