All Posts in "behind the scenes"

Video Of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug Motion Capture

This uncut video Of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug motion capture is awesome. It isn’t as easy as it seems to basically lie down and act evil when nothing is in front of you. Once you see him do his thing you may never look at Smaug or Benedict Cumberbatch in the same way.

Keep in mind that he is giving it his all, using his body and face masterfully. It’s hilarious, but it also shows what an amazing actor he is. There are probably only a few people in the world who could make a convincing dragon.

Scifi Staff by — February 9, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
A Closer Look At Alien’s Horrifying Chestburster Scene

If you have the stomach for it, this in-depth look at one of the most shocking moments in cinema is worth your time. The chestburster scene in Ridley Scott’s Alien is a classic. Seeing that newborn xenomorph explode out of John Hurt’s torso was just amazing. The other actors on set were never warned about the eruption ahead of time.

In CineFix’s Art of the Scene series, they look at Alien’s chestburster scene in detail. It’s very enlightening and worth a look if you are a fan of the film.

via Blastr

Scifi Staff by — February 6, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
The Muppets Strike Back

Most of us know that Frank Oz, the voice of Yoda, also brought Muppets like Fozzie and Miss Piggy to life. But did you know that the Muppets once visited the set of The Empire Strikes Back? We have the pictures to prove it.

These images were recently uploaded to the internet via Imgur and it’s like being in the 1980s all over again. There are several cool shots showing Kermit and Miss Piggy on the Dagobah set with the crew. And yes that includes Mark Hamill. If these pictures don’t make you smile, you are dead inside. Or a Sith.

muppets strike back

muppets strike back

muppets strike back

muppets strike back

muppets strike back

muppets strike back

Scifi Staff by — February 4, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
Star Wars III: Behind The Scenes Photos

If you are a fan of the Star Wars prequels, check out these fascinating and not-so-often-seen behind the scenes photos. Even if you hate the prequels, you can’t help but respect all of the hard work that went on behind the scenes of this final installment.

Yes it had a ton of CGI, but this movie also had some massive sets and a ton of prop work and models as can be seen in some of the images below.

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

star wars behind the scenes

See the full gallery here, along with some amazing concept art.

Scifi Staff by — January 27, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
Man Of Steel Behind-The-Scenes Special Effects Video

Say what you want about Man of Steel. Even if you didn’t like it, you have to admit that the movie looked great. The movie had some great visual effects. In this behind-the-scenes video, the visual effects team talk about how they came up with one of the most striking elements of Kryptonian technology. The “liquid geo”.

This gray metallic liquid can reshape and form into anything. It works really well in the movie, helping make Krypton technology even more alien. It’s fascinating stuff and worth a watch.

via Cinemablend

Scifi Staff by — January 20, 2015 in Movies/TV 0
Rare Candid Polaroid Photos From the Set of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

On Set: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was an ongoing exhibit at the British Film Institute Southbank which ran through January 4, 2015. Yeah, I know, I wish I could have checked it out too. It featured all kinds of ephemera from the making of the first Star Wars film, including several Polaroid photos taken on-set. This is stuff you don’t see everyday.

The shots are owned by crew member Ann Skinner and they show several characters that were cut from the original film as well as some candid shots of the characters. These images are fascinating and it’s always nice to see a glimpse behind the scenes of one of our favorite movies. You can see more here.

candid star wars polaroid pics

candid star wars polaroid pics

candid star wars polaroid pics

candid star wars polaroid pics

candid star wars polaroid pics

via Laughing Squid

Scifi Staff by — January 13, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
The Millennium Falcon’s Hyperdrive Malfunction SFX

Have you ever wondered how the ‘comical’ sounds that accompanied the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive malfunction, were created? Wonder no more. This video has Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt explaining the process in this 1980 clip.

That guy has a super awesome and fun job. It might surprise you to know just where some of those sounds came from and how they were put together.

Scifi Staff by — January 12, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
1975 Logan’s Run Studio Press Tour

Now here’s something you don’t see everyday. This short clip is a fascinating look behind the scenes at the making of Logan’s Run movie, focusing on a 1975 MGM studio press publicity tour. This movie is a classic and definitely a product of it’s era. One of my all-time favorites for sure.

This clip briefly shows the director, the producer and costume designer and more. Some of the movies costumes are also being shown off, though the Sandman uniform would be different in the film. The strangest part is near the end, when the guy modeling the Sandman uniform turns out to be David Hasselhoff. That has to be him.

Scifi Staff by — January 8, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
Return Of The Jedi: Location Special Effects

If you like his work, you can head on over to Patreon and support Jamie Benning. He’s a documentary film maker and this short clip is an interview with Kevin Pike, who worked not only on Back to the Future, but also on Return of the Jedi.

It’s a fascinating clip and a great look behind the scenes, so it is certainly worth supporting Jamie so he can continue making documentaries. In this clip, Kevin Pike talks about his work on the Location Special Effects on Return of the Jedi.

Scifi Staff by — January 8, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0