It’s hard to imagine cinema without special effects! They are at the heart of the biggest blockbusters, used across every genre action films, science fiction, romantic comedies, and more.
But how are they made?
The immersive scenography of the exhibition takes you on a journey through the audiovisual production chain, in three stages: a pre-production office, a film set, and a post-production studio.
The pre-production office highlights all the essential resources needed to make a film. From the very start, special effects are designed, budgeted, and planned.
Before actors and cameras even come into play, the movie begins in pre-production: writing the script, creating the storyboard, sketches, and rough drafts all crucial steps in the filmmaking process.
The film set showcases effects created live during shooting: from traditional tricks to modern digital techniques (bringing creatures to life, transforming actors, mixing reality with virtual worlds, and dissecting classic tricks).
Motion capture and head-mounted cameras reveal their secrets. The artistry of makeup and prosthetics is displayed, while the famous green- and blue-screen techniques are explained. Here, visitors rediscover some of the most surprising and humorous special effects in cinema.
A retrospective also takes us back to the very first special effects, invented by Georges Méliès. Drawing inspiration from his own magic shows, Méliès pioneered most of the techniques still used today, staging them in fantasy tales, science fiction stories, and even historical recreations.
The post-production studio presents the wide range of visual and sound treatments applied before a film is finalized.
From creating landscapes to integrating crowds, from digital doubles to texture effects, from explosions to invisible enhancements there are countless ways to manipulate filmed images.
In this part of the exhibition, visitors are invited to spot hidden effects and try their hand at special effects post-production, including graphic and digital techniques.
This post is also available in Français.