Space: 1999 – Special Effects Techniques
12 hours ago
- #special effects
- #cinema history
- #British film industry
- Special effects (SFX or FX) have roots in stage magic and cinema, with Georges Méliès being a notable pioneer.
- The British film industry excelled in SFX, thanks to figures like Alexander Korda, Ned Mann, and Walter Percy 'Pop' Day.
- Post-WWII, British SFX artists like Wally Veevers, Tom Howard, Peter Ellenshaw, and Les Bowie continued the industry's strength.
- Les Bowie's company worked on Hammer horror films and employed Derek Meddings and Brian Johnson.
- Stanley Kubrick chose Britain for '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968) due to the talent of British technicians.
- Brian Johnson worked on 'Space: 1999' and was approached by George Lucas for 'Star Wars' but declined due to prior commitments.
- 'Star Wars' (1977) revolutionized SFX by using cheap integrated circuits to control cameras.
- SFX production involved annotating scripts, creating storyboards, and filming miniatures with 35mm Mitchell cameras.
- Filming occurred at Bray Studios, utilizing stages like the ballroom stage (Stage 4) and a purpose-built stage (Stage 3).