How’d They Do That? is a monthly column in which Meg Shields unpacks moments of movie magic and celebrates the technical wizards who pulled them off.
If you’re new to reading this column, we suggest starting with these entries:
By Meg Shields
“If ever you want to blow up a head, I advise using kosher salt. But don’t do this at home.” – special effects artist Gary Zeller.
By Meg Shields
You know what doesn’t help an already challenging multiplane camera set up? An earthquake.
By Meg Shields
Everything in ‘Days of Heaven’ was accomplished in-camera. And yes that includes the locusts.
By Meg Shields
Here’s how cinematographers accomplish the disorienting trick also known as “the ‘Vertigo’ effect.”
By Meg Shields
One of the rare sound effects as iconic as its accompanying visual effect.
By Meg Shields
A perilous bridge traversal so nice they did it twice.
By Meg Shields
“In hindsight, it couldn’t have worked. But it did.” – producer Jens Meurer
By Meg Shields
Long live the New Flesh and pucker up! Here’s a breakdown of what went into the “breathing television effect” in ‘Videodrome.’
