Abstract
Special effects are very essential in the today’s movie industry. This is due to the reduced costs that would otherwise be incurred in form of having to travel to another country and blowing up buildings among other actions required when creating a movie. Special effects are particularly useful in instances where creating effect through normal means is extremely expensive. Imagine if people could actually be killing each other as suggested by different movies. Many people would shy away from the movie industry as no one would be willing to give up his or her life in form of acting. Therefore, there is need to use special effects through which visual effects are enhanced. The movie industry also employs special effects as an attraction strategy. Most viewers are glued to their screens while watching movies due to the power of special effects. Improved technology has led to a tremendous development and innovation of special effects.
Special effects are used in the entertainment and movie industry to enhance normal visual effects. According Ron Miller (2006), ‘special effects refers to unusual visual and effects beyond the range of normal photography or recording, as simulated fires or earthquakes, explosions, thunder and lightning, miniaturized or enlarged images, or other optical or electronic distortions. Special effects are particularly useful in instances where creating effect through normal means is extremely expensive. Effects such as travel to other star systems cannot be achieved by normal means are created by special effects.
The use of special effects dates back to the 19th century. During this period, special effects were derived from the use of magician tricks and illusion. The use of magic lanterns and mirrors was adopted so as to create special effect. During this period, a technique known as the substitution shot was invented. In this technique, there was need to terminate recording with the camera, substitute some character in the screen and thereafter resume the recording. The use of special effects was enhanced in the early 90`s. The major development was the incorporation of sound. However, the sound equipment posed challenges as it was very cumbersome to move up and down. This saw the development of the optical printer which made it possible for the inclusion of many images in a single scene.
Special effects are normally not noticed by the audience. This implies that the audience is not aware that what they are observing is a special effect. Special effects are divided into two that is, mechanical effects and optimal effects. Mechanical effects also referred to as physical or practical effects are often used during shooting of live action. Mechanical special effects include the application of animatronics, scale models, mechanized props, and atmospheric effects. Atmospheric effects refer to the act of creating physical rain, fog, snow, wind and clouds. Mechanical effects are usually incorporated into set makeup and design .They include acts like blowing up a construction or making a car look like it is driving itself. Prosthetic make up which is an example of mechanical effect can be used to make an actor resemble a monster.
On the other hand, optical effects are techniques in which film frames or images are developed photographically. The images can be created either in camera using mattes or multiple exposures or through the schufftan process .Optimal effects are used to place sets or actors against different backgrounds. There are various visual special effects techniques which include matte paintings, optical effects, blue screen, practical effects, morphing, computer generated imagery, miniature effects among others.
The use of special effects not only leaves viewers glued on the screens due to enriched visual bit also acts as a cost cutting measure. Special effects are encouraged since without it a film producer would have to incur large costs. A good example is imagining if a producer had to actually blast a helicopter or how much it would cost to handle so many characters for an army scene. Designers of special effects creatively imagine and come up with a blend of illustrations and animators with which they manage to take their audience to different worlds without their knowledge.
In conclusion, the use of special effects in the movie industry is very essential. Firstly, it leads to cost reduction as a movie producer is able to create fantasies such as blasting helicopters without necessarily doing so. The movie industry is also a beneficial of special effects due to increased audience.
References
Biagi, S. (2011). Media Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media (10 ed.). Stamford: Cengage Learning.
Horn, G. M. (2006). Movie Stunts And Special Effects (Illustrated ed.). Milwaukee: Gareth Stevens.
Miller, R. (2006). Special Effects: An Introduction to Movie Magic (Illustrated ed.). Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books.
