Things you're tired of seeing in movies
- Thread starter Joosh
- Start date
Oh wow, ya I hate this. Can you not get a cgi technician that can align the outward blast with the actual gun and keep it aligned?
The really Odd feature on this is it should just be a bright flash with detail in lines of flame/light but for whatever reason they outline the brightness in a grey shadow to make it seem brighter but you can SEE THE GRAY RING!!!
Practical effects win in this fight but even when cgi, just do it right. I have seen video games with correct flash, soooooo.....
drusselmeyer
Master Member
I have to disagree here if it is done for a specific reason. Case in point: Equilibrium.
There was a symbolic storytelling reason for this effect. It was an artistic choice rather than a shortcut.
i could totally agree, if done as an intentional artistic element. It is the death blow though if used as an intended to be realistic effect where the rest of the movie is just non-effects acting/drama.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Why the F don't they put an LED into the barrel of the prop guns? And if needed, they can enhance with CGI.
Also, why don't they make a library of actual weapon muzzle flashes shot in a dark room with high speed cameras to capture the whole thing and then comp it in, in normal 24 frames speed, in movies instead of those fake current muzzle flashes that are neither bright enough nor big enough?
Also, why don't they make a library of actual weapon muzzle flashes shot in a dark room with high speed cameras to capture the whole thing and then comp it in, in normal 24 frames speed, in movies instead of those fake current muzzle flashes that are neither bright enough nor big enough?
Bloop
Sr Member
Yeah, they could also make them so they kick like a real weapon discharging. But I suppose the big reason is extra cost. The main reason for not using guns with blanks is the cost - not just the weapons, but firing blanks requires extra safety people and insurance, I believe. Cheaper productions are still just going to use rubber dummy guns and call it a day.
Bloop
Sr Member
The talk of mis-aligned muzzle flashes also reminds me of a peeve of mine - laser beams that don't align properly with the weapon or tool. That could also be solved with a cheap laser pointer in the device so the actors can see where they're pointing. Obviously old Star Trek episodes didn't have that tech, so it's more obvious there.
Lightning
Master Member
Yeah, but actors don't have that good of an aim. You'd end up with dancing red dots that you'd need to erase with cgi, since the alternative is jiggling laser beams to match the dot.
So sick of seeing a vehicle explode every time it gets in a wreck or rolls off a small embankment or cliff. Not realistic; I researched it once and it doesn't actually happen that often in real life.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
There are gas powered hardball weapons with blowback when pulling the trigger. Prop guys could probably easily do something similar to their prop guns.
The reason they don't use lasers is because of the danger to other people's eyes.
The reason they don't use lasers is because of the danger to other people's eyes.
I'm going to guess that it's a generation of kids who grew up watching CHiPs. Everything that goes off a cliff in that show usually blows up. The only ones that don't are when the story requires them to rescue the person first. THEN it blows up.
I'm going to guess that it's a generation of kids who grew up watching CHiPs. Everything that goes off a cliff in that show usually blows up. The only ones that don't are when the story requires them to rescue the person first. THEN it blows up.
My favorite CHiPs bit:
Cars in distress are driven by good-looking single women who are eager to date cops.
Honorable mention:
When you rear-end another car on the freeway, your car will launch up and over it, rather than just stopping with a sickening *THUD*.
TimDRX
Active Member
I think that's exactly what The Expanse did! Some of their gun props feature LED strips around the barrel;
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Was it because the light wasn't connected to and activated by the trigger? Or where they just too slow?
The light was connected to the trigger but they'd press it before it was aimed, requiring the effects people to either animate the beam going off in a wild direction initially, or to ignore the light until the phaser was pointed properly. The light ended up causing problems instead of making it easier.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Then train the actors in how to use weapons.
Is this why all the "gun-play" in those shows look fake? Because they don't know how to use or have respect for a "weapon"?
Is this why all the "gun-play" in those shows look fake? Because they don't know how to use or have respect for a "weapon"?
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