Cinefex 24 - Cocoon / Back to the Future / The Goonies

NOVEMBER 1985

Out of Print

B&W
PHOTOCOPIES
AVAILABLE

Creating the Wonder of 'Cocoon'

Article by Jody Duncan Shay

Article Photocopy - $10.00

Without benefit of unbridled violence, gross-out humor or food fights - apparent prerequisites for contemporary boxoffice success - Cocoon seemed a decidedly tame entry into the summer filmgoing sweepstakes. Not to mention the fact that in these times of youth-oriented fare, its principal cast consisted largely of veteran performers well into their Social Security years. But in director Ron Howards' hands, the Zanuck/Brown production - with its predominant emphasis on character and heart - finished a strong third among the season's boxoffice attractions. Helping to create the magic behind what Howard jokingly dubbed 'Close Encounters on Golden Pond' were the diversely-talented cinemagicians of Industrial Light & Magic, Cannom Creature Effects and Robert Short Productions who - separately and collectively - produced everything from lifelike mechanical dolphins to glowing extraterrestrials to flying saucers from distant worlds.

Backyard Adventures - Spielberg Style

Article by Janine Pourroy

Article Photocopy - $10.00

When Steven Spielberg's Amblin Productions first approached Industrial Light & Magic with a request to purvey the few, minimal effects shots needed for The Goonies and Back to the Future, the proposal seemed innocent enough. The premier facility was well-accustomed to orchestrating visual effects by the hundreds for Lucasfilm's intergalactic space epics. But the fast-paced, tandem production scheduling of Amblin's earthbound adventures called for some decidedly different approaches - and compelled the already well-occupied ILM staff into a whirlwind of productivity. And although neither Goonies nor Back to the Future is considered a 'major effects film', each features several well-placed 'major effects'. Seasoned veterans of illusion Micheal McAlister, Ken Ralston and other members of Industrial Light & Magic - along with the films' special makeup experts - discuss life in the special effects fast lane and the ensuing challenges thereof.