All Episodes 1994 - 1998

TV-G

Since the early days, filmmakers have been frightening moviegoers with their versions of things that go bump in the night. With a little bit of latex and a vivid imagination, special effects artists have created some of the industry's most horrific creatures. Witness the evolution of the vampire from the 1922 Nosferatu to the baglike creatures that appear in From Dusk 'til Dawn. Go behind the scenes with Stan Winston on the set of his directorial debut, Pumpkinhead and watch how the special effects team brings the creature to life. See how puppeteers give life to the wormlike stars of Tremors II. Includes rare interviews with the stars behind some of our most beloved monsters: Bela Lugosi (Dracula, Prince of Darkness),Ben Chapman (The Creature From the Black Lagoon), Peter Cushing (Dr. Frankenstein), and Christopher Lee (Dracula,and The Curse of Frankenstein).

This 1996 segment of the Discovery Channel's Movie Magic TV series focuses on the history and evolution of dinosaur special effects, offering a balanced perspective between the FX technicians themselves and expert scientists who have been inspired since youth by prehistoric illusions from Hollywood and around the world. Beginning in 1914 with Winsor McCay's animated line-drawings of Gertie the Dinosaur, and culminating with the technological breakthrough of 1993's Jurassic Park, the segment chronicles the steady evolution of effects techniques--and the varying degrees of realism--that brought dinosaurs to the big screen. The "golden age" began with the pioneering work of stop-motion animator Willis O'Brien, whose 1925 classic The Lost World was a crucial step toward his stunning advancements in 1933's King Kong.

Prosthetic molds, masks, and makeup with an emphasis on the 1994 fantasy/comedy, Cabin Boy.

How optical shots are composited with an emphasis on the 1983 George Lucas film, Return of the Jedi.

Creature models and miniatures with an emphasis on the 1993 Roger Corman film, Carnosaur.

Pyrotechnics with an emphasis on the 1993 Sylvester Stallone film, Cliffhanger.

Forced perspective trickery with an emphasis on the 1993 Christopher Guest remake of Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman.

Theme park attractions that are film driven, with an emphasis on motion simulator attraction, Star Quest Adventure.

Special effects shots using miniatures with an emphasis on the 1993 Fantasy/Romance, Heart and Souls.

How matte paintings are incorporated into special effects shots with an emphasis on the 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values.

Computer graphic imagery in film, with an emphasis on a talking cat from the 1993 Walt Disney Pictures film, Hocus Pocus.

The history of flight in film, with an emphasis on the 1993 Walt Disney Pictures film, Hocus Pocus.

How miniature models are used in effects scenes with an emphasis on the television series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

How stop-motion animation works with an emphasis on the work of Willis O'Brien, Ray Harryhausen, and Phil Tippett.

How 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.

Computer generated effects in film with an emphasis on the 1993 fantasy/comedy Heart and Souls and a Kodak commercial.

How explosions are created for film with an emphasis on the 1993 adaptation of Stephen King's Needful Things.

How weapons and ammunition are created for film, with an emphasis on the 1993 Sylvester Stalone action film, Demolition Man.

How physical gags and effects are executed in film, with an emphasis on the 1993 comedy, Hot Shots! Part Deux.

How sound for animation is recorded and mixed with an emphasis on the 1994 film The Pagemaster.

A look at Jim Henson's Creature Shop creations with an emphasis on The Never Ending Story III (1994), Labyrinth (1986), and The Flintstones (1994).

How history can be changed and performances completed posthumously using digitally altered faces with an emphasis on the 1994 Robert Zemeckis classic, Forrest Gump.

How effects are being used in interactive games with an emphasis on the Sega game, The Exterminators.

Witness 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."