How Good Do Science Fiction Special Effects Need To Be?

Lots of people love a good science fiction film. Some of the most epic flicks in history have been in this genre, from old classics like War of the Worlds and Star Wars to modern epics like The Martian and Interstellar.

Of course, there are lots of sci-fi films that didn’t hit the heights, with notorious turkeys including Battlefield Earth and, some would argue, the later Star Wars prequels and sequels.

This may be debated. What is not in doubt is that the special effects used in such films have changed dramatically over the years. What looked superbly futuristic in War of the Worlds is somewhat dated now, while Star Wars gave its films a makeover using CGI.

Should You Use CGI For All Sci-Fi Special Effects?

CGI has been used a lot with varied reviews in recent years, but what of the special effects of the latest films? What might they tell us about its virtues and those of the alternatives?

As one of the leading post production houses in Manchester, we can offer both plenty of high-tech and lots of lower-tech props. It is worth considering what the balance should be between physical sets, costumes and puppetry and letting CGI fill in the gaps.

Some critics are already suggesting Project Hail Mary will be the best science fiction film of 2026. Its origins are promising, being based on an Andy Weir novel just as The Martian was. However, the praise has not just been reserved for the storyline or scientific accuracy.

Elements like the cinematography and special effects have also been given plenty of praise, while the special effects use a lot of practical props and puppetry, not just CGI.

Indeed, co-director Christopher Miller has revealed there was no green or blue screen used in the film before, some achievement for a 21st-century film that involves spacecraft orbiting alien stars and planets, before clarifying that there was some VFX used.

Indeed, this was essential for the widescreen shots of space and spaceships. Some of the tech used involved a shifting hue for the astronaut on a spacewalk to create a better effect than a green screen could.

However, the character of Rocky the alien is a mixture of puppetry and animation, giving this unusual extraterrestrial a more authentic look.

This mixture shows that even in the most high-tech and fantastical films, it can make sense to do something more creative than using CGI for everything.

What Special Effects Were Used In War Of The Worlds?

Such considerations were never an issue when War of the Worlds was made in 1953 (Unlike the 2006 version Tom Cruise starred in).

Among these were special effects that combined live effects for lasers with objects bursting into flames, but older special effects like matte-painted backgrounds were still used.

Moreover, while some outdoor shots were filmed on location, much of it was produced indoors at Paramount Studios.

The most notable special effects included the Martian war machines, which were made of copper with glowing lights and around 20 wires each, some to create the levitating effect and others to provide power for the electronics. These were painted blue to camouflage them.

Other effects were provided by:

·       Acetylene blown by a fan to produce both sparks and some of the sound for lasers

·       Glass domes shot against black backgrounds and superimposed over shots of the war machines to create the impression of force fields

·       Miniatures of tall buildings with explosives inside to replicate the destruction when the Martians fired on them

How Was The Martian In War Of The Worlds Made?

In one scene, a Martian appears and even places its hand on a human shoulder (eliciting a traditionally ear-piercing 1950s scream from actress Ann Robinson), but this was a low-tech prop made with a lot of latex, plaster bandages and chicken wire.  

A notable feature of the Martian was its pulsating veins, made by inflatable tubes through which air could be pumped, an outstanding feature noted by Diana Gemora, daughter of special effects expert Charles Gemora, who worked with him on designing the creature.

In the 2011 documentary on the making of the film, Ms Gemora, who was 12 when she worked on the Martian, declared that the special effects of the movie “started a whole new genre of filmmaking that we’re still profiting from today”.

While all of these extraordinary special effects have been superseded by the latest technology, the fact that what may be a modern blockbuster in the form of Project Hail Mary has not replaced everything with CGI suggests that skilfully made props still have a place.

If you have a sci-fi project, it is worth checking out what role our extensive props department could have to play in bringing your aliens and monsters to life.