First assignment (in two parts)

I'm giving you two assignments right out of the gate: one that's due next class, and one that's due a week from the first class.

Due Thursday (8/22), I want you to bring a scene or shot from a movie or TV show that shows some sort of special effect that you find interesting or effective. If it's on youtube or vimeo, embed it on this blog, or at least have the link ready in the comments to this post. You can also bring it on DVD/Blu Ray for us to project. I'll want you to show the clip, then explain to the class what you like about it. If you know, or can find out, how the special effect was actually achieved, I'd like you to present that as well. If you can't find a definitive answer, I want your best guess as to how the special effect was accomplished. The highest grade you'll be able to get on this assignment, if you can't present how the special effect was achieved, will be a B+.

Due this coming Tuesday (8/27), I want you bring footage you have shot for a "special effect" of your own devising, so that it can be composited/edited in class. Keep it simple, so that you can do the editing/post-production in an hour or so. As I said in class, I think the essence of "special effects"" is to make the viewer believe that they've seen something that didn't actually happen in real life – something beyond what a camera could capture without post-production interference. You will present something that you shoot and edit yourself (you're encouraged to work in teams), that shows something that did not actually happen in "real life." I don't want you to use any special effects software to get your result - you can build models or costumes, use double exposures, and any sort of framing or editing trickery you like – but the special effects you use should be "practical effects." You choice of the effect is up to you. Is it a car crash? A monster attack? A ghostly haunting? A stunt? A firefight? A natural disaster? An act of magic? A space flight? Time travel? That part is up to you to figure out. This doesn't have to be shot on HD video – a video camera on your phone or computer will be sufficient. It's more important that this be clever than pretty.

In class I talked about the difference between effects that are supposed to be "realistic" and effects that are intended to be stylized. You can choose to go either route for this project.

And here are two things I'd like to show in class:




Lights Out - Who's There Film Challenge (2013) from David F. Sandberg on Vimeo.



Tuck me in (short film 2014) from Ignacio F. Rodó on Vimeo.

And just for laffs, when special effects go wrong:


The Manster (starting at 1:09:30 or so):

 

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