The issue of visual effects had to be addressed early in the planning stages for Star Trek - The Next Generation.  With fifty or more quality effects shots needed for each weekly episode - and only a modicum of time and money to spend on them - an alternative to film opticals was considered essential. Aware of advances in video effects technology, the producers turned to two of the most progressive video postprodiction companies in the business - The Post Group and Composite Image Systems - to take them where no television series had gone before.

Article by Glenn Campbell and Donna Trotter

At the end of David Cronenberg's horror hit, The Fly, Veronica Quaife is left pregnant with the child of Seth Brundle, uncertain of what effect the mutant housefly genes that destroyed her lover might have on their child.  First-time director Chris Walas - who as makeup effects supervisor had won an Oscar for the first film - was given an opportunity to explore the possibilities in The Fly II.  Reuniting key members of his makeup and effects unit for the sequel, Walas translated onto film the physical metamorphosis of young Martin Brundle from normal human being to murderours mutant insect.

Article by Robin Brunet

In a serendipitous merging of skills, equipment and opportunity, Oxford Scientific Films was founded  by a group of  university zoologists intent upon photo-documenting  the microscopic wonders of the world surrounding  them.  Before long, the fresh  perspective they  brought to motion picture problem solving led to their involvement in a variety of feature film projects.  Today - expanded into a full-service  facility - Oxford  Scientific is a respected leader  among British  effects studios.

Article by Pamela Duncan Looft