Cinefex - № 72 (Prior revision dated Wednesday 25 October 2023 05:06:50 -- @254)
Cinefex is an American magazine devoted to motion picture visual effects. Issue 72 from December 1997 featured an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the visual effects created for the film Titanic.
Cinefex issue 72 was published in December 1997 and focused on the visual effects for the film Titanic, directed by James Cameron. Titanic told the story of the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic and was one of the most expensive and ambitious films ever made at the time.
Overview
The issue includes over 80 pages detailing the extensive practical and digital visual effects developed for the film. It provides a comprehensive overview of techniques used to recreate the ship, the ocean, and scenes of the sinking.
Some key details covered in the issue:
- Director James Cameron made 12 dives to the actual Titanic wreck to photograph footage later incorporated into the film.
- A 44-foot long miniature model of the ship was built for motion control photography.
- Additional large-scale models were constructed for sinking scenes filmed in a tank.
- A full-size outdoor set of the ship was built in Rosarito, Mexico. Sections could be flooded and sunk in a large tank built on-site.
- Computer generated water and digital extras were created to populate shots of the ship at sea. This was groundbreaking work at the time.
- Over 100 shots required digital manipulation to add breath vapor to suggest the freezing cold conditions.
- 17 different visual effects companies contributed work throughout the production.
The issue provides unprecedented access to the techniques used to realistically recreate one of history's most famous maritime disasters. It illustrates the monumental effort required to visually tell Cameron's story on an epic scale.