II.

Special Effects

Although “special effects” is commonly, and confusingly, used to describe any aspect of effects production, the term is generally used within the film industry to refer to any process or illusion that is performed “live” in front of the camera during filming of the main live action. This can include the creation of full-scale fires and explosions, bullet hits, smoke, rain, collapsing buildings, action props, and crashing vehicles. Such effects are also called “physical effects” or “mechanical effects”.

A branch of physical effects, special effects make-up, includes the design and creation of sculpted make-up, wounds, masks, and remotely controlled mechanical puppets, or “animatronics”, that are filmed on set along with the live-action performers.