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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."

5 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Explain this! by kidcharles · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure, you can explain the special effects, but can you explain that anguished feeling of betrayal after discovering that Bumblebee is a Chevy Camaro? Can you!? Rest in peace, my childhood...

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une sig.
  2. the secret by nomadic · · Score: 5, Funny

    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

    Believe it or not, I think they used some sort of "computer" at some point to actually do the special effects.

  3. Re:Why movies suck so much now. by LordKaT · · Score: 5, Funny

    An old girlfriend of mine always thought life was full of drama. If you kissed her she had to turn it into one big long sloppy "kiss at sunset" kind of thing. I found it really annoying, because she would always have the mentality of "oh baby, let's make this long and last forever" and in my mind all I could think was "sit on my face, bitch!"

    I think there's a similar problem in Hollywood: we have a group of people obsessed with drama (rather than telling a story) to the point that we end up with a bunch of scenes that are nothing but overly dramatic and annoying. They've got drama soaking their brains and all I can think is "sit on my face, bitch!"

    Well, maybe that's more my problem since I lack a girlfriend currently. Still, I think the point stand: Hollywood needs to give out free women at movies.

  4. Re:Guerrilla marketing by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only major complaint was that a lot of the action scenes (especially in the beginning) were not comprehensible. The camera would focus too far in and move around a lot, and it was difficult to tell who was fighting and what was going on.
    That's a major problem in a lot of recent movies. It's like some idiot in Hollywood is teaching that "if 95% of the screen moves, people will think it is more actionny."

    And yes I made up the word actionny. We're talking about Hollywood here.

  5. Re:I had the exact opposite experience by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I want the meaning of life I'll pick up Kant. Or Monty Python, I heard they show boobies.