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Tag Archives: special effects
The Caine Mutiny 1954
To prove that Lawrence W Butler was more than capable of producing quality model ship action after the criticism levelled at him by Otto Preminger on In Harms Way, here’s a look back to an earlier film he supervised with … Continue reading
In Harms Way 1965
John Brosnan in his excellent book,Movie Magic (McDonald and Janes 1974), quotes from an interview Andrew Sarris conducted with the film’s director Otto Preminger in Hollywood voices, where he claims; “I had originally hired a famous expert for these models. … Continue reading
Krakatoa east of Java 1969
Nominated Oscar Special Effects (1970) Eugene Lourie, famous for directing a number of classic B-movie monster movies in the fifties, was also an accomplished art director and special effects director. He art directed and directed the special effects miniature work … Continue reading
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea 1954
Won oscar for best Special Effects (1955). Probably the most recognised submarine shape ever, fictional or otherwise, was the Nautilus designed for Disney’s 20 000 Under the Sea by Harper Goff. One of the first models built for the film … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged 20000 leagues, miniatures, model ship, Nautilus, Ralph Hammeras, special effects
3 Comments
The Cruel Sea 1953
A very good book by Nicholas Monserrat, adapted with care into a very fine British film about the Corvette service during World War two. The Miniature effects are varied in quality, but for the most part depict the action well. … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged British cinema, Compass Rose, Corvette, Cruel Sea, miniatures, model ships, special effects
1 Comment
Das Boot 1981
Das Boot is without a doubt, the most realistic and immersive submarine movie yet made. Up untill this film, the Submarine movie genre was pretty comfortable, descended into well worn cliche. This movie which was made as TV mini series … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged battle of the Atlantic, Das Boot, miniatures, model ships, special effects, submarine, U boat
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MODEL CONTROL
In miniature visual effects work usually the maxim “simpler the better” is employed and most miniature ships have been moved across the tank by pulling an underwater rope. Usually divers are employed to man-handle the ship into position and to … Continue reading
Posted in ModelControl
Tagged miniatures, model ships, movie miniatures, special effects, vfx
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CAMERA, LIGHTING AND LENS
A fundamental factor in making models appear life size and massive is to shoot them at high camera speeds. This results in them being viewed in slow motion when projected. At normal live action speeds, say when an actor is … Continue reading
MODEL SCALE – how big are the miniatures?
As mentioned in the About this website introduction, Water droplets do not scale and the water droplet size is the single most tell tale sign of a miniature effect, consequently the size of the model has a very great bearing … Continue reading
Posted in Scale
Tagged miniatures, model scale, model ships, models, movie miniatures, special effects, vfx, visual effects
2 Comments