P1.1

EXAMPLE 1

1) Explain what type of effect is being used?  eg mechanised prop,  stunt prop, scale model,  prosthetics & makeup,  pyrotechnics.

In The Walking Dead, prosthetics and makeup are used all the time. FX prosthetics is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, moulding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects. Facial prosthetics can be made from a wide range of materials - including latex, foam latex, silicone, and cold foam. Effects can be as subtle as altering the curve of a cheek or nose, or making someone appear older or younger than they are.

2) Why have the film makers used the effect?

The television programme use this special effect to alter a person’s normal face into something extraordinary, in this case zombies. A facial prosthesis can transform an actor into any creature, such as mythical creatures, animals and others.

3) What other aspects of film making have been used to create the effect? eg lighting, locations, costumes, props, camera angles, sound, editing techniques or visual effects (can you explain the difference between the special effects and visual effects?)

Special effects are carried out on set during production, and visual effects are done in post-production. Pro visual effects artists use Maya for The Walking Dead’s modelling, rigging and animation, while After Effects is used for compositing characters and effects into the final show.  Lightwave, 3ds Max and Photoshop are also used in the visual effects pipeline.

4) Find another film or TV text that has used the effect.

Film-

The Dark Knight

The Goonies

The Lord of the Rings

Edward Scissorhands

TV-

Downton Abbey

Misfits

Holby City

Merlin

EXAMPLE 2

1) Explain what type of effect is being used?  eg mechanised prop,  stunt prop, scale model,  prosthetics & makeup,  pyrotechnics

Miniatures are used in a lot of films especially old films. The biggest measured more than 13 metres long and was designed to be historically accurate down to the smallest details. During key moments of the film, including the dramatic sinking of the Titanic, it’s the picture-perfect miniatures that were used to convincingly bring the massive ship to the screen.

2) Why have the film makers used the effect?

Models and miniatures are copies of people, animals, buildings, settings and objects. Miniatures or models are used to represent things that do not really exist, or that are too expensive or difficult to film in reality, such as explosions, floods or fires. In the film, the boat was easier to manage to avoid a composite, green-screened shot.

3) What other aspects of film making have been used to create the effect? eg lighting, locations, costumes, props, camera angles, sound, editing techniques or visual effects (can you explain the difference between the special effects and visual effects?)

The special effect of the miniature are supported by other affects such as lighting, camera angles and visual effects

4) Find another film or TV text that has used the effect.

Film-

Blade Runner

Indiana Jones

Back to the Future

Independence Day

The Lord of the Rings

The Dark Knight

EXAMPLE 3

1) Explain what type of effect is being used?  eg mechanised prop,  stunt prop, scale model,  prosthetics & makeup,  pyrotechnics

Scale models can be used in films and TV. The models can be things such as submarines, helicopters and everyday transport.  A scale model is a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object being represented. Very often the scale model is smaller than the original and used as a guide to making the object in full size.

2) Why have the film makers used the effect?

Scale models are built and collected for many reasons including, in engineering, for testing the likely performance of a design object at an early stage without the expense of building a full-sized prototype; in remote control vehicles; and on TV and in the movie industry, for constructing objects or sets that cannot be built in full size.

3) What other aspects of film making have been used to create the effect? eg lighting, locations, costumes, props, camera angles, sound, editing techniques or visual effects (can you explain the difference between the special effects and visual effects?)

When creating a scale model, the visual effects that are added in post-production are very important. Everything has to blend nicely for it to look realistic.

4) Find another film or TV text that has used the effect.

Many old films have used this effect but now it isn't very common as there are more updated, modern technology.