In Camera The Naive Visual Effects of Dracula

Among all the CGI films of today, here is a film that made the decision to do all in camera special effects. No CGI at a time when the industry was beginning to do it, and it was everywhere. Only a couple of optical shots were done which created the blue flames and rings in the film. These shots do stand out different to anything in the film, but do not take away from the magic of the in camera effects they achieved. A true test that getting it right in the camera or building models rather than creating assets is a winner and visually looks better.
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "MY BOOKS" and receive a FREE BOOK from me!
• MY BOOKS
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@ballad2212]

This movie is fascinating. I can grasp immediately how modern effects are done, but not this old-school trickery. The moving and contradictory shadows of this movie are superb. The slight of hand, that only magicians know. I love this behind the scenes revelation.

[@Stardust920]

I knew that the sequence of Lucy being forced back into her crypt by Van Helsing was played backwards but I didn't realize the same was done for when she walked down the stairs. The whole scene has such an eerie and ethereal feel to it.

[@AdamJPestridge]

Stardust920 I never that either, I also love the effect of the candles lighting by themselves, by blowing them out!

[@Stardust920]

Adam J Pestridge Yes, it was really cool.

[@MDkid1]

I love that this movie was shot with these old school film making techniques, esp nowadays surrounded by all the CGI crap. It certainly added to the feel and atmosphere of this eerie film, and did the book and the time period justice.

[@FullFatVideos]

I love this movie but the magic used to bring the effects to life makes it even better

[@lelxrv]

These naive special effects are far more dear to me (and impressive) than any digital wank-fest of modern cinema.

[@AdamJPestridge]

the sense of realism that is within the movie is much better visually than cgi can create.....the movie Van Helsing and Dracula Untold had cgi in them for Dracula, didnt have the same effect than these old school methods did....I am so grateful for Francis for filming this film this way and using stages instead of locations....

[@lelxrv]

@@AdamJPestridge People had to be far more inventive and creative with how they approach staging and filming, because they couldn't do it bluntly with digital effects. Real materials give better sense of realism, even when looking more obviously "fake". Digital stuff opened new possibilities, but also made filmmakers more lazy and cheap. They use digital so much these days, that the movies look dull and lifeless most of the time. Even f... blood squibs are almost gone.

[@scottmoore1614]

Amen to that.

[@jpop-qg5gj]

SO CLEVER!

[@soul_in_balance6923]

Movie magic is in this unique and timeless artwork. Legend.

[@ed-od9sd]

I can't watch any marvel movie more than once. I can watch this every once or twice a year and completely be in the world Copolla created without getting bored.

[@hermanubis7046]

I can't even watch them once most of the time... It's all just CGI overkill with lame, predictable scripts. It's really a waste of money and actors' talent.

[@ed-od9sd]

@@hermanubis7046 whoever invented the fast forward button on a remote, I thank you.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Same. I have never hated anything as much as Disney’s soulless output

[@rodtaylor5476]

I love that no CGI was used for this film. It makes everything seem so much more authentic.

[@scottmoore1614]

Sadly, I think it’s one of the last films for which that can be said. It wasn’t long after this that Jurassic Park came out and pretty much revolutionized everything. I’m not convinced that was a good thing.

[@coty38200]

An absolute master peace!!!!

[@Sophie-db1ko]

I didnt know all that. I love the film even more i must say.

[@IsraelNowIsraelForever]

Bram Stoker's Dracula is THE DEFINITIVE INTERPRETATION of the novel, and another masterpiece from the director, co-writer, and co-producer of Mario Puzo's The Godfather saga.

[@Akula114]

By far one of my favorite movies. Everything was right about it... the soundtrack, the production design and execution all in an empty box where light usually is... the studio. Oh, and Winona Ryder... it has Winona Ryder so that's pretty much a score right there. I worked as the Gaffer/Lighting Director of a black and white film called "Claire." Our task was to film a narrative adaptation of a Japanese fairy tale set in early twentieth century America. THe camera was a Mitchell Standard 35mm with the hand-crank accessory. We even removed the heavy flywheel in the camera which was doing its job or smoothing out the jerkiness. Every effect was completely old-school, from hard mattes placed in camera to painted set walls and forced perspective. I'm proud that American Cinematographer magazine even ran an article about it! I'm also proud that like Roman Coppola, my son has followed me into the film business and even teaches advanced production amongst his many achievements. I know how utterly proud Francis Coppola must be of Roman. It's a feeling you just can't describe when your own child "gets it" and puts it to work. Wonderful film, great documentary - not dated at all. Good work!

[@Mr.Altavoz]

In my opinion this is the director of the 2 best movies ever made in the history of filmmaking.

[@23Scadu]

The Godfather Part III and Twixt, right?

[@politicsanddance5727]

Nobody: Keanu: I don't like blood. It's salty and wet and sticky and it gets everywhere

[@AdamJPestridge]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DonJuanMarco1994]

Amazing. This is why I love this film. It seems so real not forced or computerized. You feel the realness. Francis Ford Coppola and Roman are amazing.

[@HieroicDose]

Super cool look at how the film was made. I've always been attracted and fascinated with the look of BSD. Really neat to see how it was done.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

How he did this at 20 is insane. I look at Dracula and still wonder how the hell they did some of those things.

[@TinaICXCNIKA]

Happy to have stumbled across this. I now have an elevated sense of appreciation for my all time favorite "Dracula" movie. BRAVA!

[@VernardNuncioFields]

I appreciate this film even more!

[@TruSciencePro]

I always loved this movie. They did a great job

[@CarlosReyes-sk1zs]

I LOVE THIS FILM. ITS AN HOMAGE TO THE OLD HORROR FILMS AND FILM HISTORY ITSELF.IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE DID IT THE OLD WAY AND THAT MADE THE FILM SO BEAUTIFUL. SO WELL DONE.A MASTERPIECE.A TRUE PIECE OF ART.BRAVO!.

[@AdamJPestridge]

totally agree, it gives it a real timeless feel when its in camera.....a beautiful telling of the classic story

[@CarlosReyes-sk1zs]

@@AdamJPestridge iITS ONE OF MY FAVORITES FROM COPOLLA.THE GODFATHER,APOCALYPSE NOW AND DRACULA.THOSE ARE MY TOP 3 FROM COPOLLA. DRACULA IS SUCH A GORGEOUS FILM TO WATCH.

[@joonaikonen6423]

Thanks for uploading this! Very fascinating stuff. I wish they would still make movies like these today in hollywood. Of course you cant do every kind of movie like that, but it works so well for movies like this. Those practical effects just transport you to a different place.

[@AdamJPestridge]

your welcome Joona Ikonen, some still do and maybe more will in the future. It is a shame too many Directors these days who used old techniques of the past now rely on cgi too much.

[@troyschartiger8912]

Roman Coppola did an outstanding job on the Visual Effects on Bram Stoker's Dracula.

[@hdentaldude]

Keanu…. Whoa, dude no way…. LMAO 🤣

[@samspencer582]

They can’t make it look this real with todays CGI, it’s impossible. Why use CGI when the old technique make it look much more real?

[@AdamJPestridge]

Otto Von Stirlitz I totally agree with you. At the same time I also understand the use of cgi in films and the need for it when they can’t do it for real, for many reasons and I think the studios are also finding out now that cgi is only an enhancement rather than a tool.

[@paulklenknyc]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@thecrazyandthewild]

Now I love this film even more. I didn't think that was possible. Thank you all!!!!

[@stevie68a]

If Coppola Sr. or Jr. read these posts, I want them to know that as a film buff, this is one of my all time favorites. The only movie I ever bought on disc for the extra features. I'd still like to know how during the early battle scene, they poke a soldier and lift him up while he wiggles, that how was that done? Anyway, a superb film.

[@carissa667]

if you watch this doc, you will see briefly that it was just a guy on wires, and the spear is literally behind him making it look like it goes through him as the wires lift him up in tandem with the spear

[@markholohan4446]

Always thought that this was the way Micheal Mann should've shot Public Enemies.

[@christophcarle]

EXCELLENT!!! Thank you very much for this upload!

[@Axadn]

The part where he's making the shadow around 9:20 - 9:30 is really funny.

[@ryanellis4474]

This is very interesting. Thank you for producing this video.

[@HieroicDose]

I love the Bioshock Infinite loading screen music @17:26

[@arelysreyesserrano6175]

Fast and furious6 💗💗💗💗💜💜💜💜

[@c.johnson1691]

Old style is the best because it’s more believable.

[@orvin2vids]

I was always curious as to how they made dracula's fangs grow if the almost all the effects were on camera. Any suggestions or answer to the trick?

[@AdamJPestridge]

I believe it was a pair of tractable teeth that he wore in his upper pallet that covered his real teeth. I remember reading about that in the script book

[@REGGIELOVELOVE]

Inspiring!

[@polypeptide]

Very inspiring! Thanks for uploading!

[@AdamJPestridge]

My pleasure!

[@TheMrchuck2000]

I saw a trailer for the next Marvel shitshow this weekend. It looked so awful, like watching a video game. CGI can perform miracles, but more often it just flattens and sucks all life out of a film (kinda like a vampire).

[@_Trenchfoot_]

This is what Hollywood has lost with its overblown salaries and ridiculous project timelines. No CGI can replace good old fashioned practical effects , makeup, music and quality acting. Thats why this movie is so creepy and amazing. If only Hollywood wasnt so thickheaded. But what do i know im just a paying customer...

[@23Scadu]

I wonder how they did the green mist though. Maybe that was a visual effect they added in post like the blue fire.

[@AdamJPestridge]

They had a green eyed monster off set to provide the smoke 😂😂😂

[@fede018]

You put a color filter over the light and point it at the fog.

[@unkleskratch]

I've often wondered if it might be-ahem, 'practical'- to do some of these in-camera effects physically, with the benefit of video assist and after effects to polish them up a bit- instead of going for the full tilt green screen mo-cap- o- rama that tacks an extra 60 million to all these movies... right now, a million+ a minute seems to be the norm- and that's patently ridiculous.

[@AdamJPestridge]

unkleskratch yes! My exact same thoughts. More in set rather than on a green screen set.

[@timsmythfilmsandanimations]

If one is to go old school, why add after effects at all?

[@TheEplestugas]

@@timsmythfilmsandanimations to get the best of both worlds. Practical effects have a lot going for them, but they can be dangerous and expensive. A gun shot, for example, can take up to two days on Set to get right and involves explosives, which means more people on Set that have to be paid. But if you just simulate the gun shot with lights while filming and add the muzzel flash and smoke later, the hole process will be cheaper, faster and safer. Practical effects are not an cure all, nether are visual effects or CGI. It's all about the balance.

[@disgruntledpedant2755]

I find it strange that filmmakers cant spell PIXELLATION test properly.

[@rustygazes256]

My opinion computer effects have diluted the art .they dont make them like they used to.sad.

[@kentallard8852]

Its not a special effects film if a member of the Warren family isn't involved

[@AdamJPestridge]

😂😂😂

[@Mr_Spaghetti]

17:12 it’s-a him

[@disgruntledpedant2755]

This film should be titled the nepotistic visual effects of dracula.

[@DanIel-fl1vc]

Some of these effects are nice but some of them really would benefit from CG. Especially the werewolf monster, you can tell that it's a guy in a Halloween outfit. Maybe they could superimpose a realistic CG monster onto those today.

[@06dking]

Practical werewolves have always looked better than cgi ones

[@edmundbarker2311]

The monster makeup is a highlight of the movie

[@EmlynBoyle]

You must be joking. The whole point of this movie is that CGI wasn’t used? As that dates very quickly. I find your comment about the werewolf suit so ridiculous...are you seriously suggesting they retrofit CGI into this masterpiece? There’s one CG element in this movie (when Dracula is dying and morphs into his younger self), and that looks dated now.