Photos: Terminator visual effects--smashing cars, taking names
Warner Bros. turned to Industrial Light & Magic to make some of the most complex action sequences look simple.
Terminator explosion
On Friday, Warner Bros. released "Terminator Salvation," the latest in the long-running series, and the first to take place post judgment day. In this film, hero John Conner, played by actor Christian Bale, must battle a series of terminators including mototerminators, intelligent motorcycle-like robots.
In this sequence, which takes place on a New Mexico bridge suspended over the Rio Grande Gorge, the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects team incorporated shots taken at three different locations and blended them together seamlessly.
In this sequence, which takes place on a New Mexico bridge suspended over the Rio Grande Gorge, the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects team incorporated shots taken at three different locations and blended them together seamlessly.
Terminator truck
A production plate shot on location outside of Albuquerque, N.M., is the first step used to create the final image in one of Terminator's biggest action sequences.
Terminator collision
In this ILM rendering, a computer graphics car is simulated to show the forces it would undergo if it were hit by another vehicle going more than 50 miles an hour.
Terminator collision rendering
In this image, the rendered car is shown over a black background along with the computer-generated plastic, glass, and metal debris flying through the air.
Terminator simulation
This is the simulation as seen from the side. The camera, as represented by an icon, is seen off to the far right.
Final Terminator shot
This is the final shot, as rendered in a neutral color space. Later, it will be color-timed to duplicate the look of the film.
Mototerminator
One of the "stars" of the new Terminator films is this mototerminator, an intelligent motorcycle. One of the main action sequences in the film required a great deal of visual effects work in order to demonstrate the nimbleness of the robot.
Christian Bale
Actor Christian Bale, playing John Connor, the star of "Terminator Salvation," looks on during the aftermath of one of the film's action sequences.
Terminator battle scene
Two mototerminators speed through the debris of a massive battle scene in "Terminator Salvation."
Ben Snow
ILM visual effects supervisor Ben Snow demonstrates the effects used in an action sequence from the new film, "Terminator Salvation," at ILM's headquarters in San Francisco on May 20. In the background is a poster depicting the scene.
Terminator helicopter
A helicopter lands in the middle of a battle scene in "Terminator Salvation."
Terminator
A terminator glares at the camera.
McG
Director McG explains what he wants on the set of "Terminator Salvation."
Terminator fire
An action sequence from "Terminator Salvation." The movie opened Friday around the country. Industrial Light & Magic did the main visual effects for the film.
Terminator robots
A factory full of terminators in the new film "Terminator Salvation."
McG and Christian Bale
On the set, "Terminator Salvation" director McG explains what he wants to lead actor Christian Bale.
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