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Explaining the Special Effects Behind Transformers

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the robots-in-disguise dept.

ntmokey writes "Popular Mechanics has an in-depth look at the special effects behind the Transformers movie, including some exclusive shots from Paramount Pictures. Apparently, using real cars as models presented some interesting problems for the folks at Industrial Light and Magic, who had to figure out how a recognizable chunk of steel can fold into robot. In the end, the solution was the development team getting hands-on in the auto shop. And lots of grease."

2 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. NOT special effects. Visual Effects by shidarin'ou · · Score: 3, Informative

    Special Effects are on set. Visual Effects are post production CGI, compositing, etc.

    A special effect is a car being rigged to explode on set. A visual effect is a giant 4 story CG robot kicking that car.

    We're two entirely seperate industries. Thanks for your interest however!

    --
    www.GrenadeHop.com
  2. Re:Now, if only... by Richard_at_work · · Score: 3, Informative

    When you see scenes like this during a moment that was far from funny, I wondered where they were taking this movie. That scene includes (in the movie) a fantastic long shot of a gunship firing and circling on the robot, but to mix it with camp comedy is a tragic mistake for American cinema.

    I get the impression that that scene is actually not meant to be as comedy value as it would seem - that actually happened during the US Invasion of Grenada in 1984 - ground forces were pinned down in the Governor-Generals mansion on the island, unable to contact the fire support aircraft overhead nor other units to request support. In the end, one of the soldiers placed a credit card call to Fort Bragg in the US in order to request a fire support mission and he got the same run around by the operator.