Assignment On:

Special Effect Technology

Prepared By:

Adeel Baig Amjad Sultan Asad ul Haq Farhan Sheikh Waqas Khan Ahtasham-ul-Haq (MBA-1, SEC-A, GROUP-G)

Submitted To: Sir. Farhat Ali Khan Dated: February 20, 2011

Special effect Technology

The illusions used in the film, television, theatre, or entertainment industries to simulate the imagined events in a story are traditionally called special effects (often abbreviated as SFX, SPFX, or simply FX).

Special effects are traditionally divided into the categories of optical effects and mechanical effects. With the emergence of digital film-making tools a greater distinction between special effects and visual effects has been recognized, with "visual effects" referring to digital post-production and "special effects" referring to on-set mechanical effects and in-camera optical effects. Mechanical effects (also called practical or physical effects), are usually accomplished during the live-action shooting. This includes the use of mechanized props, scenery, scale models, pyrotechnics and Atmospheric Effects: creating physical wind, rain, fog, snow, clouds etc. Making a car appear to drive by itself, or blowing up a building are examples of mechanical effects. Mechanical effects are often incorporated into set design and makeup. For example, a set may be built with break-away doors or walls to enhance a fight scene, or prosthetic makeup can be used to make an actor look like a monster. Since the 1990s, computer generated imagery (CGI) has come to the forefront of special effects technologies. CGI gives film-makers greater control.

Contents

1 Developmental history o 1.1 Early development o 1.2 Color era o 1.3 The Science Fiction Boom o 1.4 Introduction of computer generated imagery (CGI) 2 Planning and use 3 Live special effects 4 Visual special effects techniques 5 Notable special effects companies

Developmental history
Early development In 1856, Oscar Rejlander created the world's first "trick photograph" by combining different sections of 32 negatives into a single image. In 1895, Alfred Clark created what is commonly accepted as the first-ever motion picture special effect. While filming a reenactment of the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots, Clark instructed an actor to step up to the block in Mary's costume. As the executioner brought the axe above his head, Clarke stopped the camera, had all of the actors freeze, and had the person playing Mary step off the set. He placed a Mary dummy in the actor's place, restarted filming, and allowed the executioner to bring the axe down, severing the dummy's head. Such techniques would remain at the heart of special effects production for the next century.[1] This was not only the first use of trickery in the cinema, it was the first type of photographic trickery only possible in a motion picture, i.e. the "stop trick". EXAMPLE :

Color era The development of color photography required greater refinement of effects techniques. Colour enabled the development of such travelling matte techniques as bluescreen and the sodium vapor process. Many films became landmarks in special-effects accomplishments: Forbidden Planet used matte paintings, animation, and miniature work to create spectacular alien environments. In The Ten Commandments, Paramount's John P. Fulton, A.S.C., multiplied the crowds of extras in the Exodus scenes with careful compositing, depicted the massive constructions of Rameses with models, and split the Red Sea in a still-impressive combination of travelling mattes and water tanks. Ray Harryhausen extended the art of stop-motion animation with his special techniques of compositing to create spectacular fantasy adventures such as Jason and the Argonauts (whose climax, a sword battle with seven animated skeletons, is considered a landmark in special effects). EXAMPLE:

The Science Fiction Boom Through the 1950s and 60s numerous new special effects were developed which would dramatically increase the level of realism achievable in science fiction films. The pioneering work of directors such as Pavel Klushantsev would be used by major motion pictures for decades to come[2]. If one film could be said to have established a new high-bench mark for special effects, it would be 1968's 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, who assembled his own effects team (Douglas Trumbull, Tom Howard, Con Pedersen and Wally Veevers) rather than use an in-house effects unit. In this film, the spaceship miniatures were highly detailed and carefully photographed for a realistic depth of field. The shots of spaceships were combined through handdrawn rotoscopes and careful motion-control work, ensuring that the elements were precisely combined in the camera a surprising throwback to the silent era, but with spectacular results. EXAMPLE :

Introduction of computer generated imagery (CGI) A recent and profound innovation in special effects has been the development of computer generated imagery, or CGI, which has changed nearly every aspect of motion picture special effects. Digital compositing allows far more control and creative freedom than optical compositing, and does not degrade the image like analogue (optical) processes. Digital imagery has enabled technicians to create detailed models, matte "paintings," and even fully realized characters with the malleability of computer software.

EXAMPLE:

Planning and use

Although most special effects work is completed during post-production, it must be carefully planned and choreographed in pre-production and production. A Visual effects supervisor is usually involved with the production from an early stage to work closely with the Director and all related personnel to achieve the desired effects.

Live special effects

Live special effects are effects that are used in front of a live audience, mostly during sporting events, concerts and corporate shows. Types of effects that are commonly used include: laser lighting, Theatrical smoke and fog, CO2 effects, pyrotechnics, confetti and other atmospheric effects such as bubbles and snow.

EXAMPLE WILL BE DEFINE IN PRESENTATION Visual special effects techniques

Aerial image effects Audio-Animatronic models Bluescreen Bullet time Computer-generated imagery Digital compositing Dolly zoom In-camera effects Match moving Miniature effects Morphing Motion control photography Optical effects Optical printing Practical effects Prosthetic makeup effects Rotoscoping Stop motion

1. Aerial Image effect

An aerial image is a projected image which is "floating in air", and cannot be viewed normally. It can only be seen from one position in space, often focused by another lens. Aerial image technology was used in optical printers and movie special effects photography before the advent of computer graphics in movie production, and also for combining animation and live action footage onto one piece of film.
EXAMPLE:

Audio-Animatronics
Audio-Animatronics is the registered trademark for a form of robotics created by Walt Disney Imagineering for shows and attractions at Disney theme parks, and subsequently expanded on and used by other companies. The robots move and make noise, generally in speech or song. An Audio-Animatronic is different from android-type robots in that it works off prerecorded moves and sounds, rather than processing external stimuli and responding to them. Animatronics has become a generic name for similar robots created by firms other than Disney

EXAMPLE WILL BE DEFINE IN PRESENTATION Notable special effects companies

Animal Logic (Sydney, AU and Venice, CA) Bird Studios (London UK) BUF Compagnie (Paris, FR) CA Scanline (Mnchen, DE) Cinesite (London/Hollywood) Creature Effects, Inc. (LA, CA, US) Digital Domain (Venice, LA, CA, US) Double Negative (VFX) (London, UK) DreamWorks (LA, CA, US) Flash Film Works (LA, CA, US) Framestore (London, UK) Giantsteps (Venice, CA) Hydraulx (Santa Monica, LA, US) Image Engine (Vancouver, BC, CA) Industrial Light & Magic, founded by George Lucas to bring his Star Wars saga to the silver screen. ILM is a pioneer in various Fx disciplines and is one of the oldest and most respected effects companies in the world. Intelligent Creatures (Toronto, ON, CA)