Cinefex - № 9
Cinefex is a quarterly magazine devoted to the field of visual effects and computer-generated imagery in filmmaking. Issue 9, published in July 1982, featured an in-depth look at the visual effects created for Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner.
Overview
- Blade Runner is set in a dystopian Los Angeles in 2020 and features flying spinner vehicles and dense, polluted cityscapes.
- The visual effects were produced by Entertainment Effects Group, headed by Douglas Trumbull and Richard Yuricich.
- Major effects elements included miniatures, matte paintings, motion control photography and optical compositing.
- Originally only 38 effects shots were budgeted, but over 90 were completed for $3.5 million.
Key Effects Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Tyrell Corporation Pyramids | 9ft and 5ft miniatures with intricate lighting and smoke effects. |
| Hades Landscape | Forced perspective miniature with interactive flames and lighting. |
| Cityscape Miniatures | 1in to 1ft scale buildings dressed with thousands of lights and signs. |
| Spinner Vehicles | Detailed miniatures from 1in to 4ft long, with articulated parts. |
| Advertising Blimp | Internally lit 3ft long airship with screens and fiber optics. |
| Matte Paintings | 15 major paintings extended city vistas and connected live action to miniatures. |
Notable Techniques
- Motion control moves were programmed manually or using a computer interface.
- Smoke and rain effects integrated miniatures with live action plates.
- Matte paintings were enhanced with lighting effects and animation.
- Forced perspective and diminishing scales extended the perceived depth and size of miniatures.
- The team pioneered the use of 65mm film and in-camera compositing techniques.
Impact on Blade Runner
- The visual effects helped realize Scott's gritty, dense vision of the future city.
- The high level of realism and integration with live action earned acclaim and influenced many subsequent films.
- Scott did not want Blade Runner viewed solely as an "effects film", but one where effects served the storytelling.