Popular Mechanics offers up some insight into the history of special effects with their list of the top ten film effects in cinema history. A somewhat subjective venture, but a nevertheless interesting and insightful one, the list does a pretty good job of exploring some specific special effects technologies that have come into being, and helped shaped the advancement of visual effects in future films. With the constant improvement of technology, there have been many landmarks over the past few decades. Worthwhile read. (via editblog)
1. Why is 'The Last Starfighter' left out? According to IMBD.com: "The first movie to do all special effects (except makeup and explosions) on a computer. All shots of spacecraft, space, etc were generated on a Cray X-MP computer." If this wasn't a significant contribution to the advancement of visual effects in film, then I don't know what is.
Posted at 9:14AM on Jan 8th 2007 by Frank Carey