Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects

Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects was in its day without a doubt an excellent work, and still is packed full of very interesting and helpful references.While CGI has taken over the mainstream special effects, lower budget films are unable to afford the costs of CGI and real special effects are still in demand, and on stage as well in live productions.The book quite rightly has a very strong emphasis on safety, and the need to thoroughly rehearse what you are going to attempt.The author, Robert McCarthy is generous in giving away information not only about the special effect but how to interact with the talent using the special effect.However his chapter on chemical affects is an absolute shocker, with potassium chlorate and sulphur being frequently used in compositions. These two chemicals can ignite with very small amounts of friction.Mercurous chloride is used in a number of the compositions, and the dangers of mercury salts completely ignored. No one, but no one uses mercury salts for pyrotechnics, because of the toxicity let alone the cost.In fact I have to wonder if this chapter used works from the 19th century as a reference, when the use of such compositions was commonplace.The line drawing illustrations are extremely good, however reproductions of actual film scenes of extremely poor quality and it is difficult to see what is happening. Some of the other black-and-white photos which were shot especially for the book are also of poor quality.The chapter on fireworks is very dated, with little reference to electronic choreographed firing, and much emphasis on hand firing. As well it recommends the use of steel mortars when nearly every jurisdiction in many countries have banned these because of shrapnel issues after deaths.These deaths have occurred in among other countries, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, entirely due to steel mortars. This chapter should have been removed from the book as it is not special effects and there are far better books and training on firework shows available.All in all as the book says in its disclaimer, do not attempt to create any of these effects without proper training experience and professional assistance.However for operators in the industry, it is an exceptionally good read, and if you only come away with one revelation or interesting observation it is well worthwhile buy.For the interested auteur, TV and film buff it will be a fascinating read seeing behind the scenes.I am sure those professionals who read the book, will come away with considerable respect for work that Robert McCarthy did.Anthony Lealand Firework Professionals Ltd [...]

This book is a more about actual techniques used for SFX, and how things were made or fabricated. You can see how they did it and somewhat replicate by the description they give if you needed too. I would recommend this book highly especially new comers to film! Its very hard to get information that's out there or to get anyone to tell you anything. So, reading and doing it yourself is the best. However, there are some things in this book that would require professionals, not worth the risk to you or your crew! Enjoy!

WARNING MACARTHY'S BOOK GIVES USES FOR CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL--EVEN ONE BEER--WITHIN 24 HOURS, BEFORE OR AFTER, OF USING CARBON TET--THE COMBO HAS A SYNERGISTIC EFFECT THAT CAN KILL YOU!This is a great special effects book but the author is not an organic chemist and so didn't know this. (Carbon tet used to be very comon in cleaners and was thought safe at one time.) Since the author gives a number of chemical recipes you should be cautious about drinking before, or after, or during the use of any of them.Otherwise this is a great book. There is very little overlap between this book and Bernard Wilkie's CREATING SPECIAL EFFECTS FOR TV AND VIDEO so you might want to get both.

If you want to know Old School Special Effects, or learn how they did a special effect this book should be on your bookshelf. Many of Hollywood's SPX techs have this book in their libraries for reference. This book is very helpful in understanding the principles of Special Effects and as a SPFX tech myself I would say that you should have this book in your shop.

This book is more about how they did it rather than how can you do it for you next production. Lots of good ideas and pictures, but as other reviews have said, some things are definitely :don't try this at home." But still a great book.

OK book, expected more.

a must read for anyone interested in the art of special effects

Great book. I’ve bought it twice. My instructors even refer to it. I still reference it today.