How’d They Do That?
How’d They Do That? is a monthly column in which Meg Shields unpacks moments of movie magic and celebrates the technical wizards who pulled them off.
If you’re new to reading this column, we suggest starting with these entries:
- How They Shot the Stargate Sequence in 2001: A Space Odyssey
- How They Shot the Impossible Mirror Scene in Contact
- The Story Behind the Riskiest Stunt in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Explore the entire How’d They Do That? archive below
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A Brief, Bloody History of How Gunshot Squibs Work
Small, but mighty: here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about squibs.
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How They Parted the Red Sea in ‘The Ten Commandments’
“Let my people Jell-O”
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How They Shot the Plane Zip-Line Stunt in ‘Cliffhanger’
We’ve heard of tight flight connections but this is just ridiculous.
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Man vs Waterfall: The ‘Deliverance’ Stunt That Broke Burt Reynolds
“Insurance? I don’t believe in insurance.”
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How They Shot The Melting Effects in ‘The Devil’s Rain’
The weather’s calling for a 100% chance of … the Devil’s Rain!
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In the Belly of the Beast: How They Shot ‘Das Boot’
“Mildew is good for you. It’s the next best thing to fresh lettuce. Be thankful for what grows down here.”
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The Casual Film Lover’s Guide to the Bokeh Effect
If it ain’t bokeh don’t fix it.
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How They Shot That Transformation Scene in ‘Sh! The Octopus’
From a harmless old woman to a gnarled, blotchy sea hag in the blink of an eye!
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From Painted Glass to Green Screens: The Jeopardy Shot Explained
Let’s talk about the glass shot. (No, not the kind you pour tequila into).