The Work of Ken Marschall & Bruce Block – Part 2

Here’s the latest from the Archives of Matte Shot …

Today we will carry on where we left off with some astounding matte work from films such as James Cameron’s THE TERMINATOR, Rob Reiner’s coming of age classic STAND BY ME and many more trick shots that I am certain nobody ever realised were mattes. Gene Warren jr from Fantasy II Visual effects will be joining us as well for a frank discussion on the glory days at Fantasy II with Ken and Bruce. Also we will take a real life journey beneath the waves to the darkest of depths of the vast Atlantic ocean with Ken as he tells us about the coming to fruition of his lifelong passion for all things Titanic.

Again I owe more than a debt of gratitude to Ken and Bruce for their generous input in bringing this article to fruition. To Ken I applaud not only his astonishing talents as an artist, but his sincere archival efforts which have seen the vast majority of his original matte art, along with conceptual sketches, layouts, 35mm trims and tests all stored safely for more than two decades. To Bruce I extend my thanks and appreciation for his remarkable knowledge of practically each and every matte shot made by the Matte Effects company over the years, even though there still remain a couple of mystery shots that baffle both gentlemen. This blog would not have been possible without Ken and Bruce’s monumental input, where no ‘ask’ on my part was too great. On behalf of my readers and all interested parties, I thank you both…

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Matte Shot – a tribute to Golden Era & Traditional Special Effects is a tribute to the artistry and ingenuity of traditional matte painters, this collection celebrates the hand‑crafted movie magic that once shaped cinema — from grand, epic vistas to invisible effects even seasoned viewers might miss. It’s designed for both casual fans and dedicated enthusiasts, offering a renewed appreciation for skills largely forgotten today. I’ve also reached deeper into the Matte Shot archives to bring even more of this remarkable work forward, and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do.