https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Practical_effectPractical effect - Revision history2026-04-22T02:22:42ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.44.2https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?title=Practical_effect&diff=351962&oldid=previmported>A mentally disabled mathematician: comma2025-09-23T23:46:53Z<p>comma</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Real-world (non-visual) special effect for cinema}}<br />
{{redirect|Physical effects||Physical effect (disambiguation){{!}}Physical effect}}<br />
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[[Image:Black Dahlia Film Shoot 3.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Filming location|location]] shot for ''[[The Black Dahlia (film)|The Black Dahlia]]'' with a rainmaking rig, a sprinkler system used to create the appearance of rain—a common practical effect]]<br />
[[File:Exploded_bullet_hit_squibs_on_an_actor_wearing_scrubs_(cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|An actor behind-the-scenes with pre-scored "bullet holes" on his [[dead-character costume|costume]] and [[bullet hit squib|squibs]] blowing open [[fake blood]] packets for a [[gunshot wound]] stunt.]]<br />
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In [[filmmaking]], a '''practical effect''' is a [[special effect]] produced physically, without [[computer-generated imagery]] or other post-production techniques. In some contexts, "special effect" is used as a [[synonym]] of "practical effect", in contrast to "[[visual effects]]" which are created in [[post-production]] through photographic manipulation or computer generation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Are 'Practical Effects'? |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/what-are-practical-effects |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref><br />
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Practical effects often use principles from [[magic (illusion)| magic tricks]], exploiting the camera's single viewpoint to create convincing illusions that may work only from certain angles, or using specially created [[prop]]s designed to achieve the desired effect. These effects require an interdisciplinary skill set, combining artistic craftsmanship with technical expertise in mechanics and engineering to achieve the desired result.<br />
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Many of the staples of action movies are practical effects. Gunfire, [[bullet hit squib|bullet wounds]], rain, wind, fire, and explosions can all be produced on a movie set by someone skilled in practical effects. Non-human characters and creatures produced with make-up, prosthetics, masks, and {{nowrap|puppets{{mdash}}}}in contrast to computer-generated {{nowrap|images{{mdash}}}}are also examples of practical effects.<br />
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==Practical effect techniques==<br />
* The use of [[prosthetic makeup]], [[animatronics]], [[puppetry]], or [[Creature suit|creature suits]] to create the appearance of living creatures.<br />
* [[Miniature effect]]s, which is the use of [[scale models]] which are photographed in a way that they appear full sized.<br />
* Mechanical effects, such as [[aerial rigging]] to simulate flight, stage mounted [[gimbals]] to make the ground move, or other mechanical devices to physically manipulate the environment.<br />
* [[Pyrotechnics]] for the appearance of fire and explosions.<br />
* Weather effects such as [[Irrigation sprinkler|sprinkler system]]s to create rain, [[fog machine]]s to create smoke, and [[fake snow]].<br />
* [[Bodily mutilation in film|Body mutilation effects]] such as [[bullet hit squibs]] to create the illusion of gunshot wounds and [[fake blood]].<br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Special effect|Special effects]]<br />
*[[Computer-generated imagery]]<br />
*[[Visual effects]]<br />
*[[Optics#Visual effects|Optics: Visual effects]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Practical Effect}}<br />
[[Category:Special effects]]<br />
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{{Special Effects}}<br />
{{Filmmaking-stub}}</div>imported>A mentally disabled mathematician