special effects
Cinematic visual trickery
Special effects are techniques used in film, television, and theater to create illusions impossible or impractical to capture naturally.
These include explosions, weather, creature effects, and miniature sets—anything achieved physically during production.
The term often blurs with visual effects, though purists reserve that for computer-generated imagery added afterward.
The special effects in that disaster movie were incredible.
Art of explosive displays
- animatronicsMechanized lifelike figure technology
- prostheticsFabricated body part replacements
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
- miniaturesTiny representations of larger things
puppets · squibs · stuntwork · scale models · latex · masks · fog machines · hydraulics
Digital movie imagery
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
- VFXDigital film effects
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- 3D modelingCreating digital three-dimensional objects
motion capture · compositing · rotoscoping · matte painting · morphing · simulation · ray tracing · textures
Violent, rapid expansions
- fireworksExplosive light displays
- stuntsDangerous performed feats
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- crashesSudden violent impacts
set pieces · showstopper · visuals · impact · wow factor · climax · action sequences · chase scenes
Misleading visual perception
- forced perspectiveSize manipulation through positioning
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- sleight of handSkillful manual deception
split screen · double exposure · levitation · disappearance · transformation
pyrotechnics
Art of explosive displays
- animatronicsMechanized lifelike figure technology
- prostheticsFabricated body part replacements
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
miniatures · puppets · squibs · stuntwork · scale models · latex · masks · fog machines · hydraulics · forced perspective
CGI
Digital movie imagery
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
- VFXDigital film effects
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
3D modeling · motion capture · compositing · rotoscoping · matte painting · morphing · simulation · ray tracing · textures · shaders
explosions
Violent, rapid expansions
- fireworksExplosive light displays
- stuntsDangerous performed feats
- destructionAct of completely ruining
crashes · set pieces · showstopper · visuals · impact · wow factor · climax · action sequences · chase scenes · battle scenes
optical illusion
Misleading visual perception
- forced perspectiveSize manipulation through positioning
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
sleight of hand · split screen · double exposure · levitation · disappearance · transformation
- videovideo, AVI, clip, footage, film
- Film Technologycamera, projector, film reel, film stock, cinematograph
- Filmmakingcamera, film director, camcorder, directing, script
- HollywoodHollywood, Tinseltown, Hollywood Sign, silver screen, movie stars
- show businessactors, actresses, directors, producers, entertainers
- entertainment historyvaudeville, silent films, talkies, Hollywood, movie palaces
special effectslive action
Real filmed performance
documentary footage · raw footage · naturalism · cinéma vérité · location shooting
special effectsreality
What actually exists
the real thing · authenticity · genuine article · verisimilitude · realism
special, effects, specialist, specialty, specially, specialize, specialized, specializes, nonspecialist