The Making of

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Part 1 - Camera Tricks

Alien 5 Squared is full of speciall effects of all sorts. Our effects are a blend of simple camera tricks and classic editing techniques topped off with a few digital enhancements.

One of our coolest in-camera effects is our "McHologram". Most filmmakers would probably do this effect in post production, but we first used this effect in our Star Wars fan film, Prequel, made before we had any editing equipment. Back then all our effects had to be done in-camera.

The first step to produce this effect is to pre-record the hologram subject and edit together all of the elements you need to make up the final hologram. In this case the static, the McWorker, and the alien attack. The subject is shot from at least 2 angles to simulate a 3D hologram.

To add the hologram to the scene, a playback monitor is placed out of frame next to the set. The edges of the screen and surrounding area are covered in duvatine (black cloth, sometimes called "dubetine") exposing only a portion of the tv screen to change it's shape. A piece of plexiglass placed at an angle [see diagram] in front of the lens reflects the tv image into the camera, which produces a ghostly, semi-transparent reflection. The black cloth darkens the areas around the screen which prevents unwanted reflections.

The scene is shot from multiple angles (which mirror the corresponding angles of the hologram subject; remember, it's a reflection) to make your 2D reflections look like a 3D hologram when edited together. One benefit of producing the effect this way is that you can zoom in or out or pan or rack focus and it really looks like the image is there, because it is!