Genres
Networks
Created By
Stephen Rocha
Lise Romanoff
Movie Magic
Overview
Documentary series dealing with every aspect of special effects in movies, from low-budget make-up to multi-million-dollar computer-generated graphics. The clear presentation includes descriptions of the creation and technical problems of the effects, and interviews with effects technicians, directors, stars and other crew. Each episode deals with one topic, effect or technician (eg theme park rides, CGI, Stan Winston), concentrating on one or more current or recent films.
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (1994)
No overview available.
18 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Creature Makeup: Masks and Mirrors
1994-06-24Prosthetic molds, masks, and makeup with an emphasis on the 1994 fantasy/comedy, Cabin Boy.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 2: Optical Effects: Optical Illusions
1994-07-01How optical shots are composited with an emphasis on the 1983 George Lucas film, Return of the Jedi.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 3: Creature Articulation: The Art of Imitation
1994-07-08Creature models and miniatures with an emphasis on the 1993 Roger Corman film, Carnosaur.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 4: Miniature Pyrotechnics: Baby Blasts
1994-07-15Pyrotechnics with an emphasis on the 1993 Sylvester Stallone film, Cliffhanger.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 5: Forced Perspective: Eye of the Beholder
1994-07-22Forced perspective trickery with an emphasis on the 1993 Christopher Guest remake of Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 6: Ride Films: Riding the Movies
1994-07-29Theme park attractions that are film driven, with an emphasis on motion simulator attraction, Star Quest Adventure.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 7: Action Miniatures: Fast and Furious
1994-08-05Special effects shots using miniatures with an emphasis on the 1993 Fantasy/Romance, Heart and Souls.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 8: Matte Paintings: The Panoramic Art
1994-08-12How matte paintings are incorporated into special effects shots with an emphasis on the 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 9: Computer Animation: Electric Dreams
1994-08-19Computer graphic imagery in film, with an emphasis on a talking cat from the 1993 Walt Disney Pictures film, Hocus Pocus.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 10: Cinematic Flight: Up, Up and Away
1994-08-26The history of flight in film, with an emphasis on the 1993 Walt Disney Pictures film, Hocus Pocus.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 11: Models and Miniatures: A Model of Perfection
1994-09-02How miniature models are used in effects scenes with an emphasis on the television series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 12: Stop Motion Animation: One Step at a Time
1994-09-09How stop-motion animation works with an emphasis on the work of Willis O'Brien, Ray Harryhausen, and Phil Tippett.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 13: Atmospheric Effects: Eye of the Storm
1994-09-16How weather is created for film with an emphasis on the 1993 Clint Eastwood film, In the Line of Fire, and the 1994 Coen Brothers film, The Hudsucker Proxy.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 14: Digital Enhancement: Painting by Numbers
1994-09-23Computer generated effects in film with an emphasis on the 1993 fantasy/comedy Heart and Souls and a Kodak commercial.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 15: Sound Effects: Audio Awareness
1994-09-30Episode 16: Pyrotechnics: Bombs and Other Blasts
1994-10-07How explosions are created for film with an emphasis on the 1993 adaptation of Stephen King's Needful Things.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 17: Weapons: Hits and Misses
1994-10-14How weapons and ammunition are created for film, with an emphasis on the 1993 Sylvester Stalone action film, Demolition Man.
Runtime: 30 minEpisode 18: Physical Effects: Causes and Effects
1994-10-21How physical gags and effects are executed in film, with an emphasis on the 1993 comedy, Hot Shots! Part Deux.
Runtime: 30 min
Season 2 (1994)
No overview available.
13 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Digital Effects: Digital Dawn
1994-10-28Episode 2: Sound for Animation: Animated Audio
1994-11-04How sound for animation is recorded and mixed with an emphasis on the 1994 film The Pagemaster.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: Puppeteering: No Strings Attached
1994-11-11A look at Jim Henson's Creature Shop creations with an emphasis on The Never Ending Story III (1994), Labyrinth (1986), and The Flintstones (1994).
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: Live and Archival: Blasts from the Past
1994-11-18How history can be changed and performances completed posthumously using digitally altered faces with an emphasis on the 1994 Robert Zemeckis classic, Forrest Gump.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: Interactive Effects: Ever-Changing Effects
1994-11-25How effects are being used in interactive games with an emphasis on the Sega game, The Exterminators.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: Falling Effects: Falling Stars
1994-12-02Episode 7: Motion Control: Unforgettable Shots
1994-12-09Episode 8: Aerial Action: The Danger Zone
1994-12-16Episode 9: Animatronic Animals: Fooling Mother Nature
1994-12-23Episode 10: Mechanical Effects: Nuts and Bolts
1995-01-06Episode 11: Matte Paintings: Big Shots
1995-01-13Episode 12: Performance Animation: Catch 'Em in the Act
1995-01-20Episode 13: Horror Makeup: Fright Factories
1995-01-27
Season 3 (1995)
No overview available.
13 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Aging Effects: Coming of Age
1995-02-03Episode 2: Space Effects: The Space Race
1995-02-10Episode 3: Blue Screen/Green Screen Effects: Hidden Colors
1995-02-17Episode 4: Mechanical Sea Creatures: Aqua Animatronics
1995-02-24Episode 5: Underwater Effects: Dive
1995-03-03Episode 6: Miniature Characters: Tiny Characters
1995-03-10Episode 7: Virtual Reality: Cyber-Effects
1995-03-17Episode 8: Train Wrecks: Crash Course
1995-03-24Episode 9: Alien Life Forms: No Place Like Home
1995-03-31Episode 10: Effects Photography: Moving Experience
1995-04-07Episode 11: Stan Winston: Creating with Character
1995-04-14Episode 12: Plane Crashes: On a Wing and a Prayer
1995-04-21Episode 13: Exotic Creatures: It's a Jungle Out There
1995-04-28Season 4 (1996)
No overview available.
13 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Combining Stop Motion and CG: In Living Color
1996-06-28Episode 2: Body-Altering Effects: Body Building
1996-07-05Episode 3: Devastation Effects: Movie Mayhem
1996-07-12Episode 4: Tornadoes: Twist and Shout
1996-07-19Episode 5: Twinning: Four Heads Are Better Than One
1996-07-26Episode 6: Full-Scale Effects: Trouble in the Skies
1996-08-02Episode 7: Maritime Effects: Effects on the High Seas
1996-08-09Episode 8: Computer Animation: Fine-Tooning
1996-08-16Episode 9: Human Actors and Dangerous Animals: Animals on the Attack!
1996-08-23Episode 10: Talking Fantasy Characters: Mouthing Off
1996-08-30Episode 11: Action Effects: Ultimate Action
1996-09-06Episode 12: Creepy Crawlers: Your Worst Nightmare
1996-09-13Episode 13: Ghost Effects: Ghost Stories
1996-09-20Season 5 (1997)
No overview available.
13 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Far Out Creatures: Old and New Friends
1997-06-27Episode 2: History Unleashed: Down and Out
1997-07-04Episode 3: Rick Baker: The Transformer
1997-07-11Episode 4: Aerieal Rigging: Don't Look Down
1997-07-18Episode 5: Robots: Mechanical Movie Stars
1997-07-25Episode 6: Prehistoric Creatures and Volcanoes: Cities Under Siege
1997-08-01Episode 7: Disasters at Sea: That Sinking Feeling
1997-08-08Episode 8: Demons: Hollywood Goes to Hell
1997-08-15Episode 9: Scaled Destruction: Big Things Come in Small Packages
1997-08-22Witness the creation of scaled destruction of miniature cruise ships, flying saucers and a hotel for the following films: "Deep Rising" "The Shining" & "Men In Black."
Runtime: N/A min
