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The Science of Special Effects: Making Movie Magic

Related Article: Learn more about special effects.

When filming a movie, directors use the script as a blueprint for creating the action and special effects scenes.

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The Science of Special Effects: Making Movie Magic (8:08)

When filming a movie, directors use the script as a blueprint for creating the action and special effects scenes.

Beowulf 3-D Technology (2:33)

Watch this video about motion capture technology used in making the movie, "Beowulf". To date, 40% of all North American ticket sales are coming from the 3D version of Beowulf.

Dirty Jobs: The Art of Impatience (0:41)

Mike Rowe becomes impatient while waiting for the final pieces of his zombie costume to come together.

Dirty Jobs: Zombie Snot (1:25)

Watch as Mike Rowe begins his transformation into a zombie, with the help of special effects artists.

Dirty Jobs: Appliances (1:22)

Dirty Job's Mike Rowe continues his transformation into a zombie as special effects artists begin constructing his new face.

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The Science of Special Effects: Behind the Scenes (20:29)

Motion pictures and television shows increasingly use special effects to amaze and amuse audiences around the world. This program provides behind-the-scenes explanations of how some special effects work.

The Science of Special Effects: Making Movie Magic (8:08)

When filming a movie, directors use the script as a blueprint for creating the action and special effects scenes.

The Science of Special Effects: Endorphin Animation (4:25)

Created by a mathematician and a biologist, Endorphin animation software simulates the human body, muscles and nervous system. Endorphin software is used for movies and video games but is slightly different than conventional animation.

The Science of Special Effects: Sound Effects (6:39)

Sound engineers create and record sounds for movie sets. Watch this video to discover the science behind sound effects.