Giving the cheese its due
Most movie special effects deserve our admiration, even the not-so-perfect ones.
Thank you for reading another free Friday story from Science-Fiction-Create. I hope you enjoy this short piece on movie magic. And tomorrow, August 1st, another installment of SciFiMonthly will be hitting your inbox. I appreciate you and your interest. ~JRC
Image by Jake Hills - Unsplash
Approximately 650 words; three minutes read time.
Special effects are one of the main reasons I love watching films. Otherworldly sets and creatures make sci-fi and horror stand out from other genres. Some movies become legendary for their big-budget mastery, while others are derided for their cost-saving shortcomings. But money isn't everything. Nor is the result. Sometimes it's all about the effort when it comes to special effects.
I used to be an "effects snob," one of those quick to rip a lesser film apart for its chintzy designs. But the more I've learned about what it takes to make movies happen, the more I appreciate all the hard work effects take.
A good effects film that's really good
I saw Ray Harryhausen's Clash of the Titans (1981) on broadcast television when I was about ten years old. It was a massive deal for me - I watched with my family on an old console TV at home. Of all the fantastic stop-motion effects, Medusa, with her snake hair and serpent's body, mesmerized me the most.
That I didn't see 'Titans in theaters didn't matter - the "Dynamation" was astounding, even on a grainy tube TV. When I watch this film today, I am still captivated by its artistry. A lot went into this film, and it shows.
Amazing what a big budget can do.
But many films have far less money to go on than Ray Harryhausen. These low-budget movies - the staple of the sci-fi and horror industry - still achieve impressive results. Artists and technicians on these sets learn to do a lot with very little.
A bad effects film that is so very good
The quintessential low-budget, effects-heavy masterpiece has to be Sam Raimi's Evil Dead (1981). Released the same year as 'Titans, Evil Dead shocked audiences with its over-the-top gore. Raimi took stop-motion animation in a gruesome and twisted direction, changing horror films forever.
Clash of the Titans cost $15 million to make; Evil Dead cost a mere $350 thousand. Just imagine how different making these two films must have been. While not of the caliber of Harryhausen's work, Evil Dead stands out even today for what Raimi achieved with so little.
B-Movies - an A for effort
Getting practical effects into a film with limited funds must be a considerable challenge. What Raimi pulled off in Evil Dead is genuinely exceptional; most low-budget efforts don't come close to this film's achievements. And that's okay.
No matter the bankroll, mistakes happen, and unforeseen events are inevitable. But for low-budget efforts, these gremlins must come out in droves. Movie effects artists in these circumstances must somehow manage errors while keeping the production rolling. I can only imagine what pressure this creates - and the sacrifices required to get a film finished.
I find this impressive, no matter the ultimate quality. In thinking about the hard work it takes, I've learned to appreciate almost all movie effects, the good, the bad, and the outright goofy.
Give cheese a chance
Should I suggest taking the time to watch a few cheesy sci-fi or horror movies over the coming weeks? Pick one or two, preferably made before CGI came about. Or pick a newer one without all the computer wizardry. Whatever you watch, pay attention to the special effects.
At best, you might ask yourself, "How'd they do that?" At worst, you could be chuckling. Regardless, remember the hard work it took to get that film completed. Then take another look at those effects. I suspect you'll see them as I do, as an impressive, however flawed attempt at movie magic.
Until next time. Science. Fiction. Create.
JRC