How Do I...

Embrace Simplicity in Visual Effects?

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NAME: Ken Ralston
TITLE: Visual effects supervisor
SELECTED CREDITS: Alice in Wonderland (2010); Forrest Gump (1994); Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988); Back to the Future trilogy (1985–90); Original Star Wars trilogy (1977–83)

As we’ve discussed throughout this book, as a student filmmaker or even as a professional, you may not always have access to as many resources as you would like. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a problem. Having worked on many huge studio films over the years, award-winning visual effects supervisor Ken Ralston now often has access to near-limitless resources, but he stresses the importance of believability over expensive effects. Ralston talks about his experience creating believable special effects in a video interview available only in the Chapter 13 Video Activity.

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Discover:

  • image How some effects in the Star Wars trilogy are simpler than they appear
  • image Why inexpensive tricks can be as convincing as more expensive shots
  • image How Ralston takes inspiration from visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen—and how you can, too