Outline for the Third Term Paper

Special Effects in Animation and Live-Action

I. Introduction

a. This essay will explain how explosions are created in live-action films.
b. Star Wars and Jaws are visual presentations that will also illustrate the different special effects methods in each film and describe how they were successfully used in the creative process.
II. Body


         1. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

a. Miniature model of Death Star was painted black and expertly constructed in great detail with explosives put in certain places to achieve maximum visual effect.
b. A computerized dolly was develop to help cameras film at various levels to enhance depth and perception involving the destruction of an evil space station.c. Gun powder and explosive chemicals exactly measured were combined by pyrotechnic experts to illustrate a realistic nuclear explosion of the Death Star.          2. Jawsa. A mechanical shark that had realistic feature was motorized and operated by remote control with pyrotechnic devices placed in the head area.
b. Small amounts of gun powder was use by technical experts to create an explosion as a shark moved into camera position for the final scene.III. Conclusion

1. The Star Wars explosion consisted of computer generated images and new technology that provided film quality to the destruction of Death Star.

2. Jaws mainly use mechanical devices and robotics that gave the explosion a surreal quality encompassing the death of a killer shark.

3. Both films were made and used technology from the 1970s that would be considered outdated by the film industry of today.