The Awesome Power of Raiders of the Lost Ark
From rolling boulders to breathtaking stunts, Raiders of the Lost Ark showcases blockbuster adventure filmmaking at its most thrilling and imaginative…
5th October 2026
practical effects
2026
Forgotten Gems of SPFX Part Two
From ambitious miniatures to ingenious practical wizardry, this journey revisits overlooked visual effects triumphs that still dazzle today…
5th October 2026
Urban Landscapes – Part Two
An extraordinary showcase of painted skylines and architectural illusions reveals the hidden artistry that transformed cinema one brushstroke at a time…
29th September 2026
Urban Landscapes – Part One
Discover the hidden artistry of matte-painted cityscapes: breathtaking cinematic illusions audiences never realised were painted by hand….
28th September 2026
The Many Faces of R2-D2
A look at the many R2‑D2 builds showing how practical models remote units and clever effects work together to shape the astromech’s personality on screen…
17th September 2026
Attack of the Giant Leeches: Bin Bag Monsters
Mark explores Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959), revealing how raincoats and bin bags became gloriously weird B-movie monster effects….
14th September 2026
Wrapping, Chambers, Restraining Bolts, Mechy Works & Kate Jones
A detailed dive into Episode I’s early mechanical work, exploring chambers, bolts and practical engineering that shaped the film’s evolving production identity…
8th September 2026
Magicians of the Miniature
A dive into the artistry of tiny worlds celebrating creators who turn small‑scale craftsmanship into vivid storytelling with irresistible detail and personality…
4th September 2026
Caught on the Cam: Justin Dix
A behind the scenes look at Justin Dix’s meticulous droid work on Revenge of the Sith highlighting the craft teamwork and detail that kept C‑3PO camera ready throughout production…
8th August 2026
Snagging a Piece of Special Effects History
A fan’s rare visit to an ILM special effects auction reveals treasured Star Wars models iconic props and behind the scenes artifacts offering a vivid glimpse into the legacy of practical effects history…
6th August 2026
The Oscar nominated Visual Effects of TOBRUK
A rugged war epic where explosions bloom like angry fireworks, miniature work steals the spotlight, and every dusty frame reminds you practical effects once ruled the battlefield…
22nd July 2026
It Never Rains, But It Pours in Ranchipur
A deep dive into clever matte artistry showing how painted illusions expand Ranchipur’s chaos with crafty visual trickery that quietly steals the spotlight…
18th July 2026
Matthew Yuricich – In His Own Words
A vivid reflection from a legendary effects artist sharing candid memories, creative grit, and the unpredictable magic behind decades of cinematic illusion and industry evolution…
17th July 2026
Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
A colourful 60s fantasy where Jack battles sorcery and towering monsters in a handcrafted adventure filled with practical magic, bold visuals and classic fairy‑tale charm…
3rd July 2026
Star Wars – Essential Creatures Volume Two
Volume Two dives into the galaxy’s most iconic creatures, celebrating their designs, origins, and the worldbuilding magic that makes Star Wars feel wild, strange, and wonderfully alive…
23rd June 2026
Phil Tippett: Hands-On Effects
Phil Tippett’s hands on effects work shaped Star Wars with tactile artistry inventive creature design and a collaborative spirit that defined the saga’s most iconic practical moments…
22nd June 2026
Gillespie and Newcombe Strike Oil
A celebration of Gillespie and Newcombe’s explosive ingenuity, charting how their practical effects mastery shaped war cinema and left a smoky, spectacular legacy across mid‑century filmmaking…
19th June 2026
Mattes Up Close – Part 2
A closer look at the artistry behind traditional matte shots, revealing how painters and optical techniques expanded cinematic worlds long before digital effects reshaped filmmaking…
16th June 2026
The Bookshelf
A guided dive into the NZPete Library, spotlighting standout books and journals on traditional special effects for collectors, researchers and curious FX enthusiasts…
13th June 2026
Cinema Goes to War
Exploring classic war films like Tora Tora Tora and Objective Burma celebrating their remarkable practical effects matte artistry and the breathtaking physical sequences that defined the genre…
3rd June 2026
Big Boys Toys…
A celebration of Howard and Theodore Lydecker’s groundbreaking miniature effects work, showcasing their remarkable craftsmanship from Flying Tigers through Hollywood’s Golden Age of practical movie magic…
18th April 2026
The Homing Beacon Archives : 81-90
Explore Homing Beacon issues 81–90, revealing how ILM’s model shop shaped Star Wars through miniatures, practical effects, and groundbreaking innovation…
15th April 2026
Creature Feature
Flash back to the golden age of moviegoing, when creature thrills, atmospheric matting and practical artistry defined the unforgettable magic of classic picture‑palace cinema…
27th March 2026
Meddings Magic Miniatures
A nostalgic dive into the artistry of Meddings’ miniature work, celebrating the craftsmanship that powered Gerry Anderson classics and defined an era of practical sci‑fi spectacle…
26th March 2026
Anne Polland – Costume/Wardrobe/Creature Project Manager, ILM
Anne Polland’s work at ILM spans costume restoration creature fabrication and wardrobe management bringing hands on craftsmanship and archival care to the Trilogy Special Edition and beyond…
19th March 2026
Star Wars Weapons – Part 2
A deeper look at Star Wars weapons from lightsabers to vibro axes and Rebel turrets exploring their design evolution cinematic function and the craftsmanship behind these iconic armaments…
16th March 2026
Star Wars Weapons – Part 1
A look at iconic Star Wars weapons from the DL‑44 to the E‑11 exploring their design origins practical craftsmanship and the cinematic legacy that turned simple props into legendary galactic technology…
14th March 2026
Behind the Scenes – Original Trilogy Droid Maker. Bill Hargreaves
Bill Hargreaves recalls crafting the Original Trilogy’s droids sharing inventive problem‑solving quirky workshop stories and the joy of building machines that became unforgettable Star Wars icons…
28th February 2026
Storming Episode II: Dave Young
Dave Young reveals how rain, wind, and practical effects combined to create the fierce Kamino showdown between Obi‑Wan and Jango in Attack of the Clones…
28th January 2026
“NO CGI” is really just INVISIBLE CGI (1/5)
Did you see yet another “on THIS film we filmed everything practically” behind-the-scenes video this week?…
19th January 2026
