Firefly F/X Led To Galactica

Sci Fi Wire ^ | 01/09/06

[KevinDavis]

Loni Peristere, visual-effects supervisor on the SF movie Serenity, told SCI FI Wire that the movie's computer-generated visual effects mimicked hand-held camera moves and realistic lens effects, which also directly influenced the F/X on SCI FI Channel's original series Battlestar Galactica.

When Galactica creator Ronald D. Moore and visual-effects supervisor Gary Hutzel saw the visual effects that had been pioneered for director Joss Whedon and Serenity's predecessor TV show, Firefly, they came to Peristere. They told him "that's the way it should be photographed, and please bring those rules to Galactica," Peristere said in an interview. "That is the way this should be shot. And now Galactica has taken on its own set of rules. But it started with appreciation for Firefly and appreciation for work Joss had begun." (Serenity is now available on DVD.)

In Serenity, digital animation of the title spaceship taking off in the rain included raindrops on the camera lens. "When you have a massive ship lifting off, it would be hard for the cameraman to keep the lens clean," said Peristere, who worked with Whedon on both the TV show and movie. "We proposed this as a style to Joss, where the animation would have mounted cameras, depth of field, zoom lenses, all in CG, and he's like, 'Well, yeah, my whole movie is a documentary. Find the story in the camera design.' And we went with it."

Peristere's team from his Zoic Studios created Firefly/Serenity's jerky digital style, which differs from the static style of 2001: A Space Odyssey and the more fluid F/X of the Star Wars films. The style adds a sense of realism, as if things were shot by real people and not created in computers. "It seemed sort of silly to not apply the cinematic language to digital photography as well," Peristere said.

As an example, in Serenity's climactic battle scene, visual-effects designers worked as if they had three camera operators following the title ship. "Our job from an animation standpoint was to create an action that moves through the battle, rather than participating in the battle," Peristere said. "Our pilot is chasing Serenity and has to keep Serenity in frame, even though large chunks of debris and fire is coming toward him." The new Serenity DVD includes features on the creation of the movie's visual effects.

[RobbyS]

Rumor has it that Lucas wasted a lot of money and talent in an effort to make "prequesl" that were as fun as "Star Wars." Just a rumor, of course.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I could never get myself to watch the new BSG because of it's gender replacements to suit the PC crowd.

I've had the same trouble but am watching anyway because the show is very well written.

For my money, SG-1 is fun by the ton. Just picked up five seasons on DVD and have many hours of viewing fun ahead.

[Oztrich Boy]

Unfortunatley, "Firefly's" greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: the show is almost impossible to describe

2517 A.D.: Here's how it is -- the Earth got used up, so we moved out, terraformed a whole new galaxy of earths. Some rich and flush with the new technologies, some... not so much. The Central Planets, them as formed the Alliance, waged war to bring everyone under their rule. Few idiots tried to fight it -- among them, myself. I'm Malcolm Reynolds, captain of Serenity. She's a transport ship, Firefly class. Got a good crew: fighters, pilot, mechanic. We even picked up a preacher for some reason, and a bona fide Companion. There's a doctor, too; took his genius sister out of some Alliance camp, so they're keeping a low profile. You understand. You got a job, we can do it -- don't much care what it is.

[Tanniker Smith]

I didn't watch the miniseries and the first few episodes because I really wanted to see the Richard Hatch series produced. I gave in because of the buzz it was getting, and I've been enjoying it. Oddly enough, because I joined late, I didn't know that both Boomers were Cylons. When they said in the opening "There are many copies." I thought they meant that they were copies of regular people. I mean, really, it's one thing to make Starbuck and Boomer into women, but to make one into a Cylon, too? Sheesh!

Btw, I doubt it's shown any more, but if you can catch the Galactica: the Next Generation (or whatever they called it) at a SF con, get there an hour early so you'll have a seat. Finest four minute trailer for a movie that'll never be made that you'll ever see. Jon Calicos is even in it (filmed against a green screen, so they can edit it if they needed to). Lorne Green even appears as a hologram historical recording. Kicks ass.

TS

[cyn]

cowboys in space -- gotta love it, YEEHAW! Though that theme was downplayed in the movie from the TV series.

In fact, my only complaint about the movie (well, other than that Pastor Book won't be filling us in on his history) is that the REAL git-down theme music was never played. I kept waiting for it ... wait for it ... wait for it ... sheesh! That teensy snippet of an insipid watered down version of it at END of the credits doesn't count.

Angelwood -- glad you caught this! lol about being out protesting -- thanks for your sacrifices, & I hope you get to catch up!

[Colonel_Flagg]

Well, the whole "who's a Cylon" bit makes the show have some extra appeal in my book. What surprises me is that in the middle of all this recasting there isn't a significant role for an African-American male. That said, the recasting of Colonel Tigh was brilliant - I think he's the best character on the show by a wide margin.

I wasn't aware of the existence of the trailer you mention. I'll look for it!

C_F

[Tanniker Smith]

True, the two black males were recast. On the other hand, the new show does have a black female who says more than "Hailing frequencies open, Captain."

As for the trailer, I don't know if it's still being shown. Hatch was using it to get fan support to petition Paramount (or whichever Powers That Be) to green light his project. Now that the other project has gone forward, has become successful and has had Hatch as a recurring character, I doubt it'll get shown much. (They did request that video cameras be turned off, and believe it or not, all of the fans were eager to comply with that. Anything to help "the cause".) It took place 20 years or so later, with Apollo replacing Adama, with the door open for Dirk Benedict to return if he'd get on board. Whatsisname (from the Avengers, the announcer, sorry, brain lapse) did some narration for it. They did a great job for what was basically a professionally done fanboy project.

TS
"Oh, Starbuck? He was alive last time I saw him. Of course, he's probably dead by now." (Baltar)

[Colonel_Flagg]

On the other hand, the new show does have a black female who says more than "Hailing frequencies open, Captain."

True .. but Uhura was a groundbreaking character - a black female officer would have been quite unheard of until Star Trek. At that time there just weren't many roles of the type.

The quote is great!