Van Helsing 2004

Van Helsing is an epic film with amazing actors. It is one that every movie geek must see and one that is very creative with there CGI and camera skills.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/55/Van_Helsing_poster.jpg

Sets

Even though most sets are CGI they where created as miniatures  because they could use different effects around them. The windmill scene where it explodes was done on a miniature and then later using CGI added the background and the people.


Mr Hyde sequence 

This scene was animated first so they new what they had to create and film. They used motion capture to get the correct movements of this character. However they used the actors face who did the voice as the way Mr Hydes face would be. This was done my him reading the screen and acting everything that only done with the face. They filmed it as well as used motion capture for the animators to get a better idea.

The creatures

To Create there flying parts they used 2 different techniques, there body was all digital and there face was shot on film. They used motion capture so they can see how there body moved as well as filming the face and hair. They developed little LED lights to go the body and it is picked up by the camera.
To create them in flight they would map out and film the shot, then add a digital version of the character flying through to make sure they can get the shot they want.

http://skirmisher.com/uploads/images/van%20helsing%20vampire.jpg



Each character that transformed had a digital copy of themselves so the audience could see the transition from person to creature.

Frankenstein Monster

This character was half CGI the top half of hid body was make up and costume but the bottom half and the back of his head was put on later in pre production.

http://bwe200x.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/van-helsing-day-12.html

Peter Pan 2003

http://hindimobilemovie.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/peter-pan-2003-in-hindi-hollywood-hindi.html

This is one of my all time favorite films. Its full of magic and adventure. This film really tells the story and takes the audience on an extraordinary journey. I personally love this film because it makes the audience believe in what they are seeing.

The Shadow 

The characters would act the scene and react to the shadow which isn't there. The shadow was created by filming Jeremy who plays Peter against a blue screen, then in pre production they would use his outline to make the shadow. This gave them the exact shape of Peters body so it would match Jeremy's. Because a shadow doesn't stand on anything to give it a floating effect he was always suspended in the air either by wires or by a harness.


Captain Hook

In this film we actual see the stump on his arm, unlike any other Peter Pan movie. This is done by using a blue colored glove that would cover his hand and part of the wrist, then the CGI team would turn the end into a stump.
So his hair would react with the head movements it is sewn together with his real hair. This gives the effect that it is his.

Flying 
Much like in Hook they used the wires and green screen. But because in this film Peter is mostly flying and does a lot of tricks different harness where used to control these. Jeremy had o go through 7 months of training so he could hold his body flat in the air just like Peter Pan does.
One of the rigs that was used was a spinning belt rig that allowed he actors to spin freely like they would when there flying. They could spin around but the movement of the belt would be done by a crane type rig. When using a blue screen to help the kids they used people who where dressed in all blue to control the legs of the children so they don't fall down.


http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mamj0sGPvb1r4rksno1_500.png


http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m96nagbfUh1r78lpko1_500.png




Tinkerbell


Unlike in Hook where they created over size sets for Tinkerbell everything in this movie in CGI. All the shots of her where taken in front of a blue screen, this means they have to uses there imagination whilst acting.
They had to create a digital double of Tinkerbell so they could manipulate her and control the different aspects. They would use this to replace different body parts.

In this scene the bottom half is CGI.

For Tinkerbell they had to added the magical glow that is always around her. (In Hook it was only when she flew she had a glow) I believe this makes her seem more magical and real. Just like the glow she has pixie dust around her and the trail of dust when she fly's   They added the wings which where always moving even when she wasn't flying they will open and close to react with her body movement.

All these effect are used on all the different fairies during the dance scene.



 https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=48zeGY1YDQO8jM&tbnid=ZhqpVB6VwE4QlM:&ved=0CAMQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tumblr.com%2Ftagged%2Ffairy%2520dance%3Fbefore%3D17&ei=W96QUeevIvOZ0AX71oDAAg&psig=AFQjCNHYHYMXNjtMeqHog4pjQOitiitEWg&ust=1368534946552963

Sets 

The streets of London where they fly through was built in miniature to give a sense of realism. They added them into the scene in pre production. 

The clouds where created on CGI however the clouds they lie down on was created but then they had a CGI cloud blend over it. This gave the real effect that they was on a cloud.


http://jeremynews.tumblr.com/page/337

http://www.awn.com/files/imagepicker/1/ramshaw01_peterPan-clouds.jpg


The Pirate ship

The ship was a full ship and had to later be created on CGI it was also surrounded  by blue screen to add the background on later. The ship was huge and took over a full sound stage.


All the sets are made to look like what children expect them to look like. Never land and Space being the perfect example.



Mermaids 

These mermaids where all real and not CGI. The set was built as well full costumes with tails. waterproof make up had to cover there whole body to give them the blue fish glow. webbed hand where put over there real hand and fake teeth and green contact lenses where used to make the mermaids seem more real.
These actors had to learn to swim with these tails and did a fantastic job.

http://cbl.orcein.net/thelittlemermaid/othermermaids/pan2003-14.jpg


http://cbl.orcein.net/thelittlemermaid/othermermaids/pan2003-10.jpg


http://cbl.orcein.net/thelittlemermaid/othermermaids/pan2003-15.jpg

http://cbl.orcein.net/thelittlemermaid/othermermaids/pan2003-18.jpg

Hook 1991

http://www.movieposterdb.com/poster/aa41b1b5/


Hook is a magical adventure that experiments with the story Peter Pan and tell a side that has never been seen before. American actor Robin Williams does an amazing job to bring this beloved British character to life. It shows what happens to adults when they loose there imagination and he goes on an epic adventure to remember. Like films in the 80s and 90s a lot of special effects where done and not all CGI, unlike most of today's fantasy films.

The Sets

Back then these sets where some of the largest sets ever built. They were built at the Sony studios on different sound stages. It took 6 months to construct them all so they would be ready for filming. All the details were carefully created to build these perfect sets and capture the feeling of Never land .


http://watch32.com/movies-online/hook-2690


Tinkerbell

Over size sets where created so that Tinkerbell would look like she was really small.This is not really used in this film industry today because it would be cheaper to create them on a computer.
During filming to represent where Tink would be a light would be shining and when she moves the light would move, this was to help the actors understand where that character is and helped with pr production so they know where they need to put that character in the frame. Her flying was done on wires in front of a blue scene.
Tinkerbells wings where put on her in pre production and as you can tell she doesn't always have them.


http://www.barefoot-spring.net/barefoot/bf-movies.html

Hook

Like all the hooks in all the peter pan movies and plays they made a fake hook that would go over his hand to make it look like there isn't a hook. Obviously that massive eye brows and the mustache was fake as well as the wig.

http://bill-cornelius.blogspot.co.uk/
Peter Pan 

Obviously one of the main effects of Peter Pan is the flying. all of this was done on wires however mot in front of a green or blue screen. Even though this effect was used in the film for the sky and when Peter is flying high. Peter Pan usually is flying on the sets, this gives the ability to react with characters.




http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/hook%20movie?language=pl_PL

Snow White and the seven dwarfs

http://www.impawards.com/1937/snow_white_and_the_seven_dwarfs.html

Snow White was the worlds first animated feature film. It is now a beloved film and is a classic that is loved by both children and adults.

Walt Disney employed 569 people to work on this film and they worked all day and  all night to finish it.The film took three and half years to make and cost $1,500,000.00. Durning this production he created a new camera that was used in all the cartoon Disney films. 

http://disneyscreencaps.com/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-1937/1/#box-0/21/snow-white-disneyscreencaps.com-21.jpg

Adriana Caselotti was the voice of Snow White and didn't appear in any of the other Disney creations because Walt didn't want to ruin the illusion of Snow White. 

Like many of the early Disney films Snow White made the production run out of money. Durning the film the kiss between Snow and charming, the two characters are out of frame with each other, Walt did want to change it but because of the lack of money this was never done.


The animators found it difficult to animate the prince and felt that he wasn't life like, the complete opposite of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. They cut most of his parts and give him a small role in the film.

One of the ways they created Snow Whites blush, was by using the woman animator real blush. This shows how experimental this company was. This made the blush very light and realistic.

http://disneyscreencaps.com/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-1937/8/#box-0/55/snow-white-disneyscreencaps.com-1315.jpg

This is my favorite Disney film, i love the songs and the characters  This film paved the way for all the future Disney films.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks 1971

http://www.traileraddict.com/poster/bedknobs-and-broomsticks/3

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a beloved film that is full of special effects. However back in the 1970s the special effects were done a lot different from today. But they are still the same basic effects. The techniques used back then created the effects that are used now.

The Effect. 

They used an effect called Sodium Screen Vapor Process. This was created by Disney and is used in many of there films during the 60s and 70s like Mary Poppins and Petes Dragon. They would film the bed and the characters against a screen that was all yellow. The camera they used to create this is a three strip technicolor camera, this camera had two film movement built into it and then a prism that only gets rid of the sodium color lights. this technique means they have two different films, 1 would have the color image which is the bed with no background and the other would just have the background with the shape of the bed and characters silhouetted.  This effect was used through tout the film, it was the only effect they used.
Back then there was a machine called an optical printer that re photographed all the differant pieces and layers of film to make one.

http://www.technifex.com/portfolio/walt-disney-family-museum-2

This effect is the same as green screen. All the techniques that are used today where used back them however unlike the 70s we use computers.


http://aisquared.tumblr.com/post/241686996/bedknobs-and-broomsticks



http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/bedknobs-and-broomsticks/images/32846157/title/bedknobs-broomsticks-photo

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/bedknobs-and-broomsticks/images/32846157/title/bedknobs-broomsticks-photo

This film inspired so many different special effects and with out the effects used in this film many newer films wouldn't of been created.

The Goonies 1985

http://spielbergfanclub.com/2011/07/the-goonies-trailer-poster-plot/

The Goonies is a amazing film created by Steven Spielberg.

Because this is a adventure the special effects used in this film are extraordinary and many.
I love this film because it is a feel good film that is suitable for anyone of any age and can make everyone laugh and smile.

Like ET this film was shot beginning to end, a popular way when Steven is working with children.

The Key
The scene where Mickey holds the key up and lines up with the rocks was filmed on a blue scene so they could get the perfect shot and alignment .
This effect is still used in many scenes today because it allows them to get the perfect shot in fabulous quality.


http://thegoonies.org/goonies/production-history

The Organ 
The organ and the set was built to size however the organ noise was dubbed in during pre production.
The set had six different floor sections that where controlled individually. Each section would drop 6 feet so it is out of camera so when the kids are looking over the edge it would give the effect that there is a massive hole. The rocks and dust falling from the sealing was added later.


http://www.listal.com/viewimage/312810

The Caves

The boulders where made out foam. Like most films in 1985 this was the best way to create them. The boulders where lightweight and safe to be used around the children.

Boulders nowadays would be computer generated to give a bigger and scarier effect.

Sloth 
Sloth is a beloved character acted by Josh Matuszak an football player turned actor. The make up was 15 different layers of latex and a fake eye. The latex was around a head piece that controlled the eyes and the ear movement. They were radio controlled but the eye had to be in sync with Sloths normal eye, this took a lot of practice.
These effects are still used today.


http://thegoonies.org/goonies/sloths-makeup

http://thegoonies.org/goonies/sloths-makeup


The Water Slide 


The water slide was 250 feet long and the sides where covered in sea weed and moss. The camera man was placed on a seat that was placed in front of the character so they have a correct distance. A rig was built above the slide so it can follow the kids from behind and above them.

http://thegoonies.org/goonies/crew-photos-and-info

Labyrinth Jim Henson 1986

http://minersfoundry.org/labyrinth-friday-october-19-2012/labyrinth-poster-5/

Labyrinth is one of my favorite films of all time. from the loving characters to the amazing performance from David Bowie this is an outstanding film. Jim Henson did an amazing job and this film has lived on ever now. This film is so creative and have original songs performed by David Bowie that where created for this film. I personally love this film because i think this is a creative film and tests peoples imagination.

The visual effects in this film our incredible and show why Jim Henson was the greatest puppeteer. This also has some typical 80s green screen effects.

The puppets 

As in all Jim Henson's greatest movies they involve puppets. On the Goblin Kings chamber scene there where "48 puppets on that set and 50/52/53 puppeteer working at one time" says Brain Henson the puppeteer co-ordinator.


http://cinematicthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/labyrinth-1986-jim-henson-jennifer.html
The main puppets that had speaking rolls would be spoken on set by their puppeteer and then that would be used in the film. Any puppet on a wall was controlled by a head size hole for the puppeteer to put there hands through. If a puppet was on the floor the initial ground would be lowered so the puppeteer could either stand , sit or kneel so there out of view whilst controlling there puppet above them. Puppets in this film are controlled many different ways.
Some are controlled by hand. This is where the puppet would be main to fit in one persons hand so they could control the mouth.
Others are controlled on a stick. This is usually for the puppets without speaking rolls and are in the back ground. So the whole puppet is created and but an a thin black stick.
The ones they want more control over are on string. this is where there whole body can be controlled by the stings but the control is very limited.
When they want full control they use blue or green suits and get somebody different to control each section of the body.
I  personally love the puppets in this film because they create an amazing visual experience foe the viewer of any age. These creatures today would probably be CGI if it was done by any other company.


Goblins 

In this film there are not only puppets as goblins but also little people. On the Goblin King's chamber scene there where "8-12" people in costumes running around acting like goblins. During the song Dance Magic Dance that takes place in this scene these characters start jumping up 8 feet into the air. This was done by putting them all on flying rigs and wire harnesses.


Eyes

http://www.cap-that.com/labyrinth/

These eyes follow Sarah as she walks past them at the beginning of her journey.These eyes show whats to expect in this film and show the viewer what they should be prepared for.

This is done by a cabling system running through to control all the eye balls but separate. There where five separate circuits to control 30 eye balls. this gives the illusion that they are real and moving one there own individually.


The Fire Gang


http://cinematicthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/labyrinth-1986-jim-henson-jennifer.html

The fire gang scene have the use of black screen. This is the typical black screen where there is a black boarder around each character and you can tell they have been black screened. because black screen which is now green screen.

This gang where create by three people controlling each puppet. One person would control the head, another the arms and the other the head. They would have to be in perfect sync with each other. The feet would be attached to the puppeteers feet and that puppeteers hand would control the hip movement. The arm movement would be controlled by sticks on there elbows. The head is controlled by one hand, that puppeteer would be the voice.
It was shot with a computer controlled  camera. The background was then shot with the same camera so the exact movements that was needed would be in the background. This was meshed together during pre production.

Technology like this has improved to this day used in films like The Avengers. This can now if used properly create scenes where the audience wouldn't even know the background wasn't real and believe they are where they say they are.

Hoggle



http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3572406528/nm0001345
Hoggle is said to be the most difficult puppet they have produced because of his face. In his face there are 18 different motors. These control the different portions of the face. Much like ET this is controlled wirelessly by 4 different people.
Hoggle is done by a little person called Sharri Weiser. She is the body movement  She has the mask and the costume on. Nothing on the face of Hoggle is connected to her. Each controller had to be in sync because the face and the body movement had to be the right shape and look.
Hoggle is such a creative character but can be compared to Gollum from Lord of the Rings. They are both main characters but created in two very different ways. Even though Gollum is one of my favorite characters ever I prefer Hoggle because he is there on set and screen it is easier to believe he could be real.
Where is this puppet now? Well in 2006 the puppet was restored to its former glory and is now at a collectors house.



The Goblin King 


http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/01/16/labyrinth-goblin-king-jareth-getting-his-own-prequel-graphic-novel
The act with crystals where not done by David Bowie but where done by Mathew. Mathew was a juggler and his expertise is in crystals. He used his hand and manipulated the crystals whilst standing behind David. This scene was a long process's because he was working blind and couldn't see what was happening with the crystal. Filming this scene "David was very patient " says Jim Henson.


Room Illusion 

http://lunaguthrie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/labyrinth-1986-dir-jim-henson.html



http://cinematicthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/labyrinth-1986-jim-henson-jennifer.html

This set was create by Eliot Scott. Every gap is lit so on screen no body knows whats top and whats bottom. This is an amazing visual effect.
Camera where placed on there side and upside down to add to this effect.
Mechanical effects were used in this scene.

Nowadays this would of been done by CGI but having a set like this disorients the viewer

Ludo 

http://media.gunaxin.com/ten-reasons-why-jim-henson-labyrinth-rules/62921

Ludo is controlled by just one person. However this costume was made as light as they could. Even though the puppet is controlled by one person at a time it was built to fit two different people. One arm is controlled by one hand and the head is controlled by the other.


The Shaft of Hands

http://shotcontext.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/hands.html

http://pinterest.com/pin/4011087138570831/
This long shaft was 40ft tall. Sarah was slowly lowered down past rubber hands until she reached the real hands.The puppeteers wore latex gloves and there was over 100 pairs created.

The Ball

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/as%20the%20world%20falls%20down
One of my favorite scenes in this movie is the ball room scene. Because this scene we suppose to be set in a bubble the actual footage was shot with a bubble like filer around the lens to get the effect.

The Giant at the Door



http://cyberneticzoo.com/?p=4719


http://cyberneticzoo.com/?p=4719

http://cyberneticzoo.com/?p=4719

This was a 15ft high giant that walked. The largest built at the time. The inside was mechanics that worked perfectly but the first body was made out of fiber glass but it wouldn't work because it wouldn't bend. But like most things in this movie it ended up being made out of foam. They only had 2-3 months to make it and is controlled by one man.