Episodes
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Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/026 (coming soon)
We explore the fascinating history of sound in films — the trial and error that led from silent films to the first talkies — with Fritzi Kramer of Movies Silently. Fritzi also suggests some silent VFX films, and we catch up with good news about former Cinefex publisher Don Shay.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudPodcast RSS feedSponsorsCinefex magazine --- The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesMovies SilentlyThe Blue Bird (1918)The Whispering Chorus (1918)20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)The Burning Crucible (1923)The Lost World (1925)The Penalty (1920)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we've covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsFritzi Kramer, the founder of Movies Silently, a blog dedicated to making silent films fun and accessible to newcomers.MusicAll tracks by Digital DrooMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/026 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical "aperture" logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/025
Star Trek Beyond is currently playing in a new immersive super-widescreen theatrical format called Barco Escape. For details about the presentation format, we chat with Ted Schilowitz, Barco Escape’s Chief Creative Officer and the Resident Futurist at 20th Century Fox.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesBarco EscapeStar Trek Beyond (2016)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsTed Schilowitz, Barco Escape’s Chief Creative Officer and the Resident Futurist at 20th Century FoxMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/025 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Missing episodes?
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Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/024
We talk with Jenn Bentz, IMAX Projectionist at Pacific Science Center, about the IMAX projection experience, the move from film to DLP to LASER, and her experience running the Hateful Eight 70mm roadshow.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudPodcast RSS feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesIMAXPacific Science CenterFollow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsFrom the Pacific Science Center:
Jenn Bentz, IMAX Projectionist Supervisor & Audio/Visual TechnicianDavid Dukard, IMAX ProjectionistKatelyn Del Buco, Public Relations ManagerMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/024 for complete show notes and photos.As everDialog Editor, Joseph RavensonThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/023
In a special edition of the podcast, remastered audio of our 2014 interview with Howie Weed, long time artist at ILM, who tells us about blowing up the Enterprise, a recipe for fake blood, mass producing Gremlins, an alligator, alien probes, and his turn as the Special Edition Wampa in the Special Edition of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudPodcast RSS feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesGremlins (1984)Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)Romancing the Stone (1984)Fire in the Sky (1993)Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back — Special Edition (1997)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsHowie Weed, Long-time ILM employee, modeler and artistMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 3 — December 1980, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (3): Empire, Walter Murch and Phase IV by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/023 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/022
We talk about The Right Stuff with Joel Page, where at the height of excellent motion control camera work, the USFX team took the shots of supersonic jets and crashing capsules, and went in an entirely different direction.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesThe Right Stuff (1983)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsJoel Page, Local know-it-allMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 14 — October 1993, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (14): The Right Stuff, Brainstorm, Twilight Zone by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/022 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/021
Cinefex Editor Jody Duncan comes on to discuss the evolution of digital VFX technology from the original Jurassic Park to the new Jurassic World, including her time on the set of The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesJurassic Park (1993)The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)Jurassic World (2015)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsJody Duncan, editor of Cinefex magazineMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 55 — August 1993, also available in the Cinefex iPad appThe Making of Jurassic Park by Don Shay & Jody DuncanCinefex 142 — July 2015More BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/021 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike GowerDialogue editing by Josef Ravenson -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/020
We chat about the effects of Return of the Jedi with Filmumentaries creator Jamie Benning, covering advances in motion tracking, Steadicam, and what life was like inside Jabba the Hutt.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesReturn of the Jedi (1983)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsJamie Benning, creator of FilmumentariesMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 13 — July 1983, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (13): Return of the Jedi by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/020 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike GowerDialogue editing by Josef Ravenson -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/019
We chat with animator and VFX artist Robert Swarthe about his work on One From the Heart, The Outsiders, a short film test with an early HD video camera, and his unproduced adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s The Fountains of Paradise.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesOne From the Heart (1982)The Outsiders (1983)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsRobert Swarthe, animator and VFX artistMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 11 — January 1983, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (11): ET and Robert Swarthe by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/019 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/018
We chat with animator and VFX artist Robert Swarthe about his work on Close Encounters of the Third Kind — both the original and Special Edition, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and more!
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesClose Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsRobert Swarthe, animator and VFX artistMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 11 — January 1983, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (11): ET and Robert Swarthe by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/018 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/017
We chat with matte painter Jesse Silver about his work on Tron, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Labyrinth, moving from real paint to digital for Super Mario Bros., and one high-pressure effects house that had phones in the toilet stalls.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesSomething Wicked This Way Comes (1983)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsBrian Covey, Friend of the PodcastMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 12 — April 1983, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (12): Something Wicked, Stop-Motion and Dream Quest by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/016 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/016
We chat with Brian Covey about the making of Something Wicked This Way Comes, and discover that it might be an overlooked CGI first.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesSomething Wicked This Way Comes (1983)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsBrian Covey, Friend of the PodcastMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 12 — April 1983, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (12): Something Wicked, Stop-Motion and Dream Quest by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/016 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/015
Cinefex Associate Editor Joe Fordham joins us to discuss the making of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. — The Extra-Terrestrial, we try to figure out how E.T.’s innards worked, and discuss Spielberg’s unproduced Night Skies.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesE.T. — The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsJoe Fordham, Associate Editor, CinefexMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 10 — January 1983, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (11): ET and Robert Swarthe by Graham EdwardsE.T. The Extra-Terrestrial from Concept to ClassicMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/015 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/014
We talk the making of Clint Eastwood’s Firefox with Russian speaker Mike Gower, and we marvel at John Dykstra and Apogee’s technical advances for the effects of the super-stealth fighter. до свидания!
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesFirefox (1982)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsMike Gower, designer of our ‘aperture’ logo, enjoys designing things, watching movies, flying supersonic jets, and speaking Russian.MusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 10 — September 1997, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (10): Poltergeist and Firefox by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/014 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/013
Mike Gower chats with us about the making of Poltergeist, and we learn how to make ectoplasmic goo and body-sausage water guns.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesPoltergeist (1982)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsMike Gower, designer of our ‘aperture’ logo, enjoys designing things, watching movies, and frolicking near the Jacaranda trees.MusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 10 — September 1997, also available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (10): Poltergeist and Firefox by Graham EdwardsMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/013 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/012
We talk with Joe Fordham and Jeff Bond, authors of Planet of the Apes: The Evolution of the Legend, covering all incarnations of the Apes!
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Improve your 2015 with a 10-day free trial of training videos from http://lynda.com/optical.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow on SoundcloudEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorsCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Lynda.com — Start learning today.FeaturesPlanet of the Apes (1968)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsJoe Fordham, Cinefex associate editor and filmmaker.Jeff Bond, film and soundtrack writer, and former editor of Film Score Monthly, Geek, and CFQ.MusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 71 — September 1997, also available in the Cinefex iPad appPlanet of the Apes: The Evolution of the Legend by Joe Fordham and Jeff BondMore BitsSee http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/012 for complete show notes.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/011/
We talk with Douglas Trumbull about his history as a creator and inventor of VFX and immersive film technology, making Back to the Future… The Ride, and his latest project: the 120 fps, 4K, 3D short film UFOTOG that shows off his new film process, Magi.
This episode includes the second half of our interview. Listen to Part 1 in episode 010!
Listen today for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesFollow us on SoundcloudPodcast feed for other pod-catchersSponsorCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesBack to the Future… The Ride (1991)UFOTOG (2014)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestDouglas Trumbull, filmmaker, director, writer, and inventor of many advances in VFX technology. His latest project is the 120fps/4K/3D immersive cinema process called Magi.MusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 46 — May 1991, available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex by Graham EdwardsAs everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/010/
We talk with Douglas Trumbull about his history as artist, animator, and VFX legend, from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Brainstorm, and hear about what caused him to become a champion of immersive cinema.
This episode includes the first half of our interview, leading up to the point that Trumbull left Hollywood. Stay tuned for Part 2 in episode 011!
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.Features2001 (1968)Silent Running (1972)Brainstorm (1983)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsDouglas Trumbull, filmmaker, director, writer, and inventor of many advances in VFX technology. His latest project is the 120fps/4K/3D immersive cinema process called Magi.MusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 8 — April 1982, available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (8): Tron and Silent Running by Graham EdwardsAs everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/009/
We chat with visual effects artists Harrison Ellenshaw and John Van Vliet about their work on the 1982 cult classic Tron, and hear about the hand-drawn animation that people think was CGI, and just how crazy it was to work on the film!
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorCinefex magazine - The journal of cinematic illusions.Features*Tron* (1982)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we've covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsHarrison Ellenshaw, Visual Effects Supervisor on TronJohn Van Vliet, Effects Animator on TronMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 8 — April 1982, available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (8): Tron and Silent Running by Graham Edwards*The Making of Tron: How Tron Changed Visual Effects and Disney Forever* by William KallayAs everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical "aperture" logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) are available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/008/
We chat with creator and publisher of Cinefex, Don Shay, about the life and work of stop motion pioneer Willis O’Brien, including The Lost World, King Kong, Mighty Joe Young, and more. We also interview animation director Rob Shaw about his films and experience as a stop-motion animator.
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FeaturesWillis O’BrienThe Lost World (1925)King Kong (1933)Mighty Joe Young (1949)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsDon Shay, Creator and publisher of Cinefex magazine, and Willis O’Brien biographerRob Shaw, Stop-motion animation directorMusic(Almost) all tracks by Digital Droo(Except) a teensy snippet of the James Bond Theme by Monty Norman and John BarryA small clip of the 1938 re-release trailer for King Kong features the music of Max Steiner.Research MaterialsCinefex 7 — October 1981, available in the Cinefex iPad appCinefex 138 — July 2014, with “O’Brien vs Dawley” update by Stephen CzerkasRevisiting Cinefex (7): Willis O’Brien by Graham EdwardsThe Making of King Kong, by Orville Goldner and George E. TurnerKing Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson, by Ray MortonMore BitsWillis O’BrienThe Dinosaur and the Missing Link (1915), on YouTubeEdison Conquest PicturesR.F.D. 10,000 BC (1917), on YouTubeThe Edison film monopoly — The Motion Picture Patents CompanyThe Ghost of Slumber Mountain (1918), on YouTubeHerbert M. Dawley’s “Articulated Effigy” patent for stop-motion animationRalph Hammeras’ glass painting patent for in-camera compositesThe Lost World (1925), on YouTube, or the Lumivision DVD which also features several of O’Brien’s Edison shorts.Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. SchoedsackKong pitch painting, “Giant Terror Gorilla” by Willis O’Brien and (via Giant Monsters Among Us)King Kong title sequence at Art of the Title1938 re-release trailer for King KongDeLaurentis’ full-size Kong is discussed in this delightful AV Club review of King Kong (1976)Hays Motion Picture Production CodePeter Jackson and WETA’s Lost Spider Pit SequenceLinwood Dunn and the optical printerThe Most Dangerous Game (1932)How King Kong was Filmed (or Not), on the Cinefex Blog, about the 1933 King Kong magazine article with effects misinformationSon of Kong (1933)The Last Days of Pompeii (1935)WAR EAGLES: The Unmaking of an Epic - An Alternate History for Classic Film Monsters by David Conover & Philip J. RileyThe Valley of Gwangi (1969)George Lofgren, taxidermistWillis O’Brien accepts his Oscar — “Thank you very, very much.” Delightful.The Black Scorpion (1957)Pete Peterson, stop-motion animatorThe Giant Behemoth (1959)The Lost World (1960)It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)Jim Danforth, stop-motion animatorNitrate film stockCelebrating Cinefex — The VideoRob ShawDragonframe motion controlDownshooter for animationHappy Tree Friends. “Cubtron Z”They Might Be Giants, “I’m Impressed”Article on George Pal’s Puppetoons, with a picture showing Willis O’Brien and Ray Harryhausen working on the shortsPuppetoons replacement animationPortlandia RatsCoralineFlushed Away (2006)How to use a Surface Gauge for Stop Motion Animation](http://www.animateclay.com/index.php/articles/8-video-tutorials/18-how-to-use-a-surface-gage-for-stop-motion-animation)Dragonframe Frame Grabber softwareRob’s Two Bottles BlogThe Five Deadly Venoms (1978)As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower -
Complete show notes (with links) are available at http://opticalpodcast.com/episode/007/
We interview sound designer Mark Mangini about his career, including his early work on Raiders of the Lost Ark, and chat with film/TV editor Brian Newell about Dragonslayer, and the invention of Go-Motion.
This is continuing coverage of Cinefex 6 — see episode 006 for even more Raiders and Dragonslayer goodness!
Listen for your chance to win a free 1-year print subscription to Cinefex magazine.
Subscribe to the PodcastSubscribe in iTunesEnhanced AAC podcast feedMP3 podcast feedSponsorCinefex magazine — The journal of cinematic illusions.FundraiserHelp fund The Optical’s second season, and buy a T-shirt today for our fundraising campaign! Hurry — the last day to contribute is Sunday, July 20, 2014.FeaturesRaiders of the Lost Ark (1981)Dragonslayer (1981)Follow along with our List on Letterboxd, featuring films we’ve covered, and upcoming films to watch.GuestsMark Mangini, sound designer and re-recording mixerBrian Newell, TV/film editorMusicAll tracks by Digital DrooResearch MaterialsCinefex 6 — October 1981, available in the Cinefex iPad appRevisiting Cinefex (6): Early CGI, Dragonslayer and Raiders by Graham EdwardsIndiana Jones: The Complete Adventures on Blu-rayThe Complete Making of Indiana Jones: The Definitive Story Behind All Four Films by J.W. Rinzler and Laurent BouzereauDragonslayer on DVDMore BitsMark Mangini:Sound DesignWalter Murch and his sound design expertise were discussed in detail in Episode 003 of The OpticalMark Mangini’s musicHanna Barbara - The New Fred & Barney Show (1979)Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)V’Ger musical effect — Blaster Beam demonstrationReplacing English with Vulcan Speech in Star Trek: The Motion PictureGremlins (1984)Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)The Fifth Element (1997)Silent Films — Mangini’s open letter to a reviewer who neglected the role of sound in the CGI-heavy sequences in Godzilla.Ben BurttRichard L. AndersonStephen Hunter FlickFrank WelkerThe Wilhelm ScreamThe Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)Kafka (1991)Steven Soderbergh talking about re-working Kafka — about halfway though the interview. Sounds like there will be a disc released after he’s done tinkering with it.Stigmata (1999)Warrior (2011)Space Jam (1996)Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)Treg BrownStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)War of the Worlds (1953)Forbidden Planet (1956)Jane Got a Gun coming in 2015Black Mass coming in 2015Dolby AtmosMark Mangini’s BlogLA Sound Group Presents Mark Mangini — group chatDragonslayer and Go-MotionGo-Motion on WikipediaPeter MacNicolRevenge of the Jedi teaser trailerThe Vermithrax Pejorative Story: Behind the Scenes at the Making of DragonslayerDragonslayer Full-size Head RestorationThe Rhamphorhynchus pterosaur that the design of the Vermithrax Pejorative was based upon.We talked about the tauntaun stop-motion animation in Episode 002 of The OpticalG is for Greenscreen on the Cinefex blog contains a couple of great example images of ILM’s backlit bluescreen — one with Ghostbuster’s Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man in front of it, and the other with Jabba’s skiff from Return of the Jedi.Inverse square law for lightTremors (1990)We covered Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion techniques and armatures in Episode 005 of The OpticalOvercranking filmYou’ll believe a man can fly. — Superman (1978) taglineDragonslayer Behind-the-Scenes PicturesOriginal Go-Motion tests for Jurassic Park created before the decision was made to make the dinosaurs digitally.As everThe Optical theme by Digital DrooThe Optical “aperture” logo by Mike Gower - Show more
