Chapter 14. Pyrotechnics: Heat, Fire, Explosions

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My nature is to be on set, blowing things up.

–Ken Ralston (winner of five Academy Awards for visual effects)

A significant number of people first became interested in visual effects work simply because they are borderline pyromaniacs or gun nuts. You have to follow your passion in life, after all. Creating conflagration on the computer doesn’t qualify for the same type of fun as blowing stuff up, but keeping these people busy either way may be better than letting them loose on society at large.

These effects have traditionally been created live on set or via practical elements such as miniatures. ...

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