All Posts in "special effects"

Star Wars User Interface Motion Graphics

If you enjoy a good user interface, you’ll like this video. Noel Rubin created the computer interfaces in Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace and Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith. Here he shows off some of his UI creations. I really love the whole art of creating UI and how it can elevate and enhance movies. Sometimes they can almost make or break a movie.

Here you will see Anakin Skywalker’s podracer, the Trade Federation Battleship, Naboo Queenship, the R2-D2 Naboo Palace hologram and more. This is a really nice look at a lot of the UI designs seen in the Star Wars prequels.

https://vimeo.com/84747519

via Mighty Mega

Scifi Staff by — March 10, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
Bicentennial Man Robotics Effects Images

The images below are from Dave Barkovitz’s Flickr stream. Dave Barkovitz was a fabricator on the movie for Steve Johnson’s XFX, Inc. I love this movie. It holds a special place in my heart. It manages to capture that certain something from Asimov’s robot books and Andrew Martin was played perfectly by Robin Williams.

An incredible amount of detail went into Andrew’s robot body, as seen in these images. I really love the style they went for. Not too over the top. Minimal in many respects, but with some amazing details, especially on the inside of the body that makes it real to the viewer.

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

bicentenial man

Scifi Staff by — March 9, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
Artist Inserts Real-Life Enterprise Model Into Modern Star Trek

In recent years the Enterprise has gone digital, but the original version of Star Trek’s flagship was a real-life miniature model. So, what happens when you replace the digital Enterprise of New Trek with the older model?

Illustrator and concept artist Nick Acosta shows us. He took some photos of the original model which is currently being restored at the Smithsonian and composited those images into newer film shots. The results are nothing short of amazing. It just goes to show you that physical props are more realistic. If it is lit correctly, it beats digital every time.

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

real life star trek enterprise model photos

Scifi Staff by — February 27, 2015 in Art 0
Behind The Scenes Look At Ghostbusters’ Stay Puft Marshmallow Man

CineFix is back with this inside look at the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man of Ghostbusters fame. In this Art of the Scene installment Cinefix takes a look under the sailor suit of Mister Stay Puft, shedding some light on how the sugary giant was brought to life by Richard Edlund and Boss Film Studios.

You’ll find a bunch of behind-the-scenes facts, concept art and other secrets that will excite any Ghostbusters fan.

Scifi Staff by — February 24, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
This Doctor Who Fan Video Shows The TARDIS Dematerializing In A New Way

For all of it’s history, the TARDIS has de-materialized in the same way. It slowly fades in and out of existence in one place and appears somewhere else. This VFX video from John Smith shows it materializing in a new and exciting way.

In fact, I’m surprised that the showrunners haven’t tried this on the show yet. Then again, it is a bit showy to use every time the TARDIS goes somewhere. It is fun to see though. I could watch this all day long. The creator did an awesome job.

Scifi Staff by — February 18, 2015 in Animation/Fun Videos 0
Game Of Thrones: Creating The Dragons

Check out this neat behind the scenes look at how PIXOMONDO created the dragons for the fourth season of Game of Thrones. It takes a lot of work to make dragons look this good on screen and they have pulled it off quite nicely. These are probably the best dragons to appear on screen in the history of TV and film.

This video is worth your time if you are a fan of the show and want a glimpse at what goes into making these beasts look so alive. This show does CGI right.

Scifi Staff by — February 16, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
Slimy Piece Of Worm-Ridden Filth: Jabba The Hutt Documentary

Have you ever even given a moment’s thought to the puppeteers that brought Jabba the Hutt to life in Return of the Jedi? If you have, this documentary will be very fascinating for you. If you haven’t given much thought to Jabba and how he came to be, you will be even more fascinated.

This in-depth 20-minute fan documentary by filmmaker Jamie Benning includes rare outtakes, stills and all kinds of behind-the-scenes magic. Thank God George Lucas couldn’t do Jabba in CGI at that time, because what we got was wonderful. You will learn everything you ever wanted to know about our favorite giant slug.

Scifi Staff by — February 10, 2015 in Behind The Scenes 0
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
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