Unit 17 - P1

Omniya Tajni

P1: Explain how special effects are used to enhance audio-visual content

Special effects are visual tricks used in the film, television, theatre and video games to act out the imagined events in a story or virtual world, this is mainly done through the production process of audio-visual content. There are different types of special effects:

Animatronics is a robotic puppet that is sometimes used in audio-visual content. It is usually a creature that has life-like movements, this is done through the use of cable-pulled devices or motors to bring lifelike characteristics from a human or animal to an inanimate object. The mechanical and electronic elements are hidden beneath the skin, or fur of the creature and if needed members of the crew will have to go in the puppet to control it.

Scale Models is an effected created for motion pictures, done through a miniature effect. Scale models are usually combined with high speed photography or matte shots to make gravitational effects appear convincing to the viewer as they could be added to real life locations, so adding effects like shadows or being very precise with the detail would enhance the effect that it is lifelike. Scale models are often used through stop motion animation.

For example, in Harry Potter, Hogwarts is actually a scale model, it is hand sculpted. It took 86 artists and crew members to create the first version for the first film and was altered and rebuilt over the next seven films. It is said that the model has over 2,500 fibre optic lights that show lanterns and torches and sometimes gave the illusion of students passing through hallways in the films. The detail that was used in this model and the lights and effects used enhanced to the audience that this building is real as it included lifelike detail, potter fans were shocked and disappointed to find out that Hogwarts isn’t actually real.

Stunt Props are used in audio-visual content because the real object could cause actual damage or injury to an actor or member of the crew. Stunt props are the exact replica of the actual object needed, however they are made of ingredients that aren’t harmful. For example, a glass could be made out of sugar, this allows it to look exactly like a glass and enhance the believability that a stunt prop would.

Prosthetic Makeup is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, moulding and makeup to create advanced cosmetic effects. When an actor has an injury, for example, in a car crash, he/she would get injured however due to the fact the car crash is not real, therefore the injury must be fake as well, but due to special effects, prosthetic makeup makes supposed wounds and bruises to make the injury seem lifelike and enhance the believability that the actors have been harmed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvpgvg_0neQ 1:11 – 1:52

This is an image of Ron's splinch

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ron got splinched by a wizard. To enhance the believability of this injury, it was done through prosthetic makeup. The wound, fake blood was created professionally and seemed so lifelike and Ron’s acting added the believability to the effect the injury has had on him. As fans, the audience are so upset to see Ron hurt like this and creates empathy towards him, and allows the special effect to enhance the effect it has on audio-visual content.

Pyrotechnics is a special effect used that shows a chemical reaction for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound. Audio-visual content use pyrotechnics for indoor gas flame effects, waterfall effects, explosion etc. This effect makes it believable to the audience as it adds the effect of lifelike situations.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Neville was given a task to blow up the wooden bridge from the death eaters. The explosions and sparks were done through pyrotechnics but as an audience we aren’t thinking off the special effects that were used as we are so fascinated by the fact that the wand allowed the actors to produce ‘magic’ and blow things up. This special effect was created by the magic of the wand and due to the fact this was the last film of the sequels the audience has become so used to the special effects that it becomes natural to the real life world and enhances the believability in this audio-visual content.