The 1980s stood out as a significant era for horror films, with many iconic productions being released during this time. Kicking off the decade was Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’, released in 1980, now widely recognized as one of the most influential horror movies ever made. Similarly, John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ (1982) has become a timeless horror masterpiece. Other notable contributions to the genre from this decade include ‘Friday the 13th’ (1980), ‘Cujo’ (1983), ‘Halloween 2’ (1981), ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984), and ‘Child’s Play’ (1988), among others, that left lasting impressions on horror fans.
Some of these horror movies haven’t gained significant followings in the time since they were first released, but there are exceptions. For instance, Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead (1981) has become a well-known horror cult classic, much like Christine (1983), which is Carpenter’s sequel to The Thing and features a homicidal car. Similar “cult” status can be attributed to films such as An American Werewolf in London (1981), They Live (1988), and Re-Animator (1985). Another title from 1983, known for its graphic depictions of body horror, has also amassed a devoted fanbase.
Videodrome Wows VFX Artists
The David Cronenberg Movie Has Shocking Effects
VFX professionals find themselves stunned upon examining certain special effects from the movie, titled “Videodrome,” which debuted in 1983 and was helmed by director David Cronenberg. Set in Toronto, the horror flick revolves around Max Renn (played by James Woods), a television station programmer who unwittingly ventures into a brutal underworld while pursuing the creators of a peculiar broadcast. Notably, “Videodrome” served as a sequel to Cronenberg’s earlier work, “Scanners” (1981). Over time, the film has garnered a dedicated fanbase, in part due to its explicit depictions of body horror, many of which were achieved using traditional, practical effects.
In their latest episode of “VFX Artists React” on YouTube, the team at Corridor Crew scrutinize various visual effects in the movie Videodrome. While many sequences employ clever practical tricks, one scene where a television screen expands is particularly noteworthy as it seamlessly blends practical elements with visual effects. According to Niko Pueringer, the film employs projection mapping to create the illusion of a static-filled screen transforming. You can watch his explanation here:
What they’ve done is create real-life projection mapping, also known as projecting a movie of static images onto a latex sheet. Essentially, they filmed snow, but on film. Then, they projected that footage onto a white rubberized surface and moved a gun prop through it, giving the illusion that the static screen is stretching.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to point out an interesting aspect here. You see, if the image were right in front of us, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate the distortion. However, it’s subtly off to one side instead. This strategic placement allows us to observe the fascinating effect created by the projection light being stretched across the material.
What This Means For Videodrome
The Film’s Reception & Legacy Explained
The disturbing and violent scenes in the movie Videodrome were a significant factor that attracted passionate fans. Critics initially liked the film, but it didn’t perform well at the box office. Produced with a budget of $5.9 million, the movie only made $2.1 million globally. However, it eventually found success on home video, as many cult classics tend to do.
Despite not achieving widespread success initially, director David Cronenberg has never shied away from incorporating body horror into his films. For instance, “The Fly” (1986) and “A History of Violence” (2005) are prime examples, with the latter, such as “Eastern Promises” (2007) and more recently “Crimes of the Future” (2022), also featuring substantial levels of gruesome imagery. Interestingly, Videodrome, despite being one of his earlier works, continues to be a notable addition to Cronenberg’s cinematic portfolio, largely due to its innovative portrayal of body horror.
Read More
- Carmen Baldwin: My Parents? Just Folks in Z and Y
- Moo Deng’s Adorable Encounter with White Lotus Stars Will Melt Your Heart!
- Jellyrolls Exits Disney’s Boardwalk: Another Icon Bites the Dust?
- Jelly Roll’s 120-Lb. Weight Loss Leads to Unexpected Body Changes
- Meet Tayme Thapthimthong: The Rising Star of The White Lotus!
- Lisa Rinna’s RHOBH Return: What She Really Said About Coming Back
- Becky G Shares Game-Changing Tips for Tyla’s Coachella Debut!
- Despite Strong Criticism, Days Gone PS5 Is Climbing Up the PS Store Pre-Order Charts
- `Tokyo Revengers Season 4 Release Date Speculation`
- Gold Rate Forecast
2025-04-21 21:14