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The motion picture series 'Star Wars' is known for its digital effects but its camera technology remains basically the same since the first installment. The camera technology used by George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic is called a motion-control camera. The camera's multiple movements such as yaw, tilt, pan and roll are controlled by stepper motors which also adjust the vertical and lateral position of the camera. Because of the camera's high degree of maneuverability, it is useful in separate shots of multiple models used in the creation of a composite image., Special effects standbys such as intricate models and electronically controlled cameras may seem to have taken a backseat to eye-popping digital effects in the latest installment of the Star Wars [...]

HAVE YOU SEEN THE COMmercial for the Schick Tracer razor where the shaver's face keeps transforming from one visage to another? How'd they do that? The answer: morphing, one of […]

A guide for the purchasing of special effects equipment and supplies for the stage, including pyrotechnics, lasers, and fog machines, is provided.

Special effects, hydraulics style Universal Studios, Hollywood, has a strange way of welcoming guests. They are attacked by a great white shark, driven over a collapsing old bridge, and even [...]

Thomas Jermoluk, Silicon Graphics president, tells how the multimedia magic-maker conjures up new products, managers, and partnerships to sustain miraculous growth. IN ONE SCENE FROM LAST SUMMER'S box-office smash The […]

LAST ISSUE, WE DISCUSSED HOW TO configure hard-edge and soft-edge arrays, detailing the differences between the two. This column, we'll detail a typical example of this technique, from conception to [...]

A robotic whale was used by Warner Bros. to serve as a double for the real whale during the filming of the movie 'Free Willy.' The servohydraulically-controlled whale, which was designed by Edge Innovations, is capable of behaving like a real whale and looks very realistic. It is provided with hydraulic actuators that enables it to move its jaws, tail, fins and eyes move like a real whale., How do you get a 3-ton live whale to do exactly what you want, when you want it? You don't. Movie makers relied on a servohydraulically controlled model powered by [...]

Digital heroes and villains are now showing at a movie theater near you. That eerie invisible man on the movie screen may be the product of advances in 3D digitizing. [...]

The Brody family gets jawed again AMITY, N.Y. (UNIVERSAL NEWS) -- Many years have passed since the tranquility of this tiny seaport town was shattered by repeated assaults from a [...]

PROGRAMMED-MOTION BRIDGE STARS IN BROADWAY SHOW Automated bridge links the two sides of a three-tier set, so that cast members can roller skate all over the stage. Towering 89 ft [...]