Practical Effects
Ongoing coverage on Practical Effects.
Latest coverage
Tenebris Somnia: Blood, Pixels, and Prosthetics
Tenebris Somnia, a retro survival horror game featuring live-action cutscenes, is launching on October 16th from Andrés Borghi, Saibot Studios, and New Blood Interactive. The game stars Julia, who must confront her nightmares, with production emphasizing practical effects and high-quality filmmaking. It is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
It turns out the Resident Evil movie's most terrifying zombie monster was performed practically, and it's…
The terrifying Merged Monster from the recent Resident Evil movie was brought to life using practical effects performed by real stunt people. Movement coordinator Jakub Hudlický shared a video showcasing the performers tied together to create the creature's unsettling rolling motion. While the final movie version may have involved VFX, the practical approach was a key part of its creation.
'AI could never make Tenebris Somnia,' the 2D retro survival horror with live-action cutscenes and practical…
Tenebris Somnia, a 2D retro survival horror game set to release on October 16, 2026, distinguishes itself with live-action cutscenes created by an award-winning Argentinian film crew utilizing practical effects. Developer Airdorf and publisher New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry emphasize the game's nightmarish atmosphere and challenging survival mechanics, with Oshry stating AI could not replicate its unique blend of practical effects and gameplay.
Christopher Nolan put Matt Damon in the middle of a real stormy ocean to film a key scene in The Odyssey, Guillermo del…
Director Guillermo del Toro shared an anecdote from Christopher Nolan about filming a scene for The Odyssey, where star Matt Damon was placed in a real stormy ocean. Del Toro used this to highlight the value of practical effects and 'handmade' filmmaking over AI or CGI, emphasizing the importance of accidental elements that enhance realism. The article also touches on the film's box office success and its impact on future Hollywood productions.
The Odyssey star hopes Christopher Nolan's rejection of CGI will change how Hollywood movies are made
Actor Himesh Patel believes Christopher Nolan's practical filmmaking approach, as seen in 'The Odyssey,' could influence Hollywood to reduce its reliance on CGI. Patel hopes the success of films utilizing tangible, in-camera effects will encourage more studios to adopt these techniques. He contrasts this with the extensive CGI use in 'Spider-Man,' while co-star Matt Damon expressed concerns about the decline of traditional filmmaking methods.
Christopher Nolan's no CGI rule on The Odyssey applied even to the pig scene, and the way they brought it to life…
Director Christopher Nolan adhered to a strict no CGI rule on his film The Odyssey, even for scenes involving mythical creatures and transformations. Practical effects, such as animatronics and clever editing, were used to create the illusion of characters turning into pigs and a giant Cyclops puppet was employed for another sequence.
Matt Damon explains how The Odyssey filmed the Laestrygonian attack practically, and it's giving The Lord of the…
Matt Damon detailed how the Laestrygonian attack in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey was filmed using practical effects, including forced perspective and actors of extreme height differences, rather than CGI. The film also utilized a giant puppet for the Cyclops and animatronics for the pig scene, showcasing Nolan's commitment to practical filmmaking on a grand scale.
Chirstopher Nolan celebrates Backrooms' success, believes younger generations are rejecting AI: 'Their judgement of AI slop has been immediate and harsh'
Director Christopher Nolan believes younger generations are actively rejecting AI-generated content, particularly in filmmaking, seeing it as "AI slop." He contrasts this with the success of indie horror films like "Backrooms" and "Obsession," which prioritize practical effects and tactile storytelling. Nolan suggests this rejection of AI is a reaction against overly virtual environments and a renewed interest in more tangible creative methods.
15 Breakthrough Movie Effects That Redefined Epic Storytelling
This analysis highlights 15 influential films that redefined storytelling through groundbreaking visual effects, from practical stunts in Mad Max: Fury Road to the CGI innovations in Avatar and the iconic "bullet time" of The Matrix. The article showcases how advancements in CGI, motion capture, and practical effects have consistently pushed the boundaries of cinematic possibility.
