The Practical Special Effects of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire!

The team behind Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire have prided themselves in employing as many practical special effects in the new film whenever possible, and Adam gets a behind-the-scenes look at the design and implementation of two stunning new effects. From a proton pack that actually shoots sparks to a shattering ice statue, here's how the SFX technicians on the film were able to make those effects actually work!
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in theaters March 22. Get tickets and learn more at www.ghostbusters.com/
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[@tested]

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in theaters March 22. Get tickets and learn more at www.ghostbusters.com/ More Ghostbusters videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoXOeGl9n9lmm7M

[@GawrGurasBathTubPizza]

why didn't you ask why are people dying in the films? the purpose is to be scary (eg dana in gb1 getting grabbed by demon hands in her chair) not actually have human life lost, its still a film the whole family can watch

[@DrVenture45]

Adam's behind-the-scenes visits contain the level of detail I wish a purchased movie contained in their "bonus features".

[@imaner76]

I'd be so humble as to suggest that, the powers that be, do include this content. Obviously with a payment in recomposition fitting to what Adam has put in.

[@overdev1993]

exactly, this is how behind the scenes should be in my opinion

[@rcredmon]

The lord of the rings extended editions have several hours of behind the scenes footage that go into detail like this.

[@hankyboy42594]

@@rcredmonyeah peter Jackson is really into that kinda stuff too. The bonus stuff on those was great.

[@Tenneseejosh]

It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life working with the best SFX crew I've ever worked with on this film. Mark Bullimore and Andy Bunce are legends of the industry and there are many films that just would NOT have been the same without these two guys.

[@tested]

Amazing!!!!

[@imaner76]

Doing what you love for a living is epic. Respecting your other play mates. Is AWESOME.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Adam is a big kid at heart. So glad we get the opportunity to see it.

[@2LaneTraveler]

That descriptor fits a lot of film effects techs - overgrown kids with engineering degrees.

[@wolfe1970]

Think everyone here watching is

[@nathanwood5977]

I love watching his reaction when people open up props to have a look inside.

[@Velodynamic]

He was so fast throwing his hand in front of that fire spitting nozzle.

[@alexwayne3138]

Adam is all of us

[@transient5047]

One of the biggest losses I think we've seen as far as the shift from physical to digitial media - is the loss of bonus features. They aren't included on Amazon, Netflix, but for those who are interested they add *so much* to the texture and craft of how something is made. I know this was made through sponsorship, and endorsements, and probably a group of creatives pitching to sony to validate the spend on filming, staff time.etc. But it's so nice to see at least some things like this maintained

[@lewisj2au]

This is why I still buy physical media. I love seeing the behind the scenes stuff, and the concept art. I'm a photographer and artist so I often find inspiration from these special features.

[@_SurferGeek_]

The best part of these segments is seeing people who are normally behind the scenes and who rarely get to show off their work, especially to someone like Adam who really appreciates it and is good about giving great feedback and positive comments.

[@joshua.snyder]

It's fun that we get to see this before seeing the film. "I know how they did that!" moment coming. Love these behind the scenes visits with Adam. Thank you, Tested!

[@tested]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!

[@shefalichow7917]

Ideally, you should wait till' after you've watched. Otherwise it ruins some of the magic and mystery of watching the first time.

[@colley001]

Kudos to all the Brits who are behind the builds. I hope there are award ceremonies for their amazing craft. We never hear about any awards on TV.

[@notgonnahappen7899]

The fact that they are using the Hasbro replicas as hero props in the movie speaks volumes to the quality!!!

[@benjaminperez7328]

Marketing 101.

[@WayStedYou]

Repainted and done up

[@peckenstein]

Only a matter of time until Adam has to build a sparking proton pack. Also loved that the intrusive thoughts won causing him to put his hand in front of the sparks. We've all been there!

[@jimmysgameclips]

Bloody hell. I didn't understand the ice shattering was just a literal, it's happening as you see it thing. That's one of the coolest practical effects I've ever seen!

[@crazykittenvideos855]

As an engineer this to me is like seeing how magic tricks are performed. It takes nothing away from the illusion, it makes me appreciate the skill and talent even more!

[@C-M-E]

I absolutely love that in-lens practical effects are finally on the comeback tour. Having done glass-breaking effects in CG and a ton of refractive rain, there's few harder shots to watch crawl through a sequence of render frames than things that have to run a physics engine in tandem with a long rendered shot.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Can you put that in layman's terms?

[@C-M-E]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 My apologies, but that is the laymen version. To explain it further, I'd have to get more detailed with technicalities inherent to CGI artistry.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@C-M-E I was just confused about the last sentence. What do you mean "in tandem with a long rendered shot"? Do you mean that you are essentially running a physics simulation on the fly as you're trying to output the image to the video format?

[@C-M-E]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 Ah, gotcha. Depending on what package you're using and the final render engine, not all of them compile the final image and the physics simulation frame by frame separately, especially with PBR (physics-based rendering) which uses real material data, image-based lighting maps and calculations like gravity along with animated paths on objects/props/characters, or a full sim using parameters. Some can composite separate paths, but others do them all at the same time to get the most accurate data per frame, and while the final string is the most accurate for continuity, they are not quick to process, even with GPu-accelerated parallel processing on modern hardware. One sequence of shots for a scene can take days and days to render, which when viewed, is just a few seconds in the media format (movies for one example). Entirely CGi movies with fiber hair/fur are another one that comes to mind, though the studios often have huge CPU farms to offload several sections at a time. If you watch the credits to movies, in the FX category, the people that get to babysit the runs are called Render Wranglers.

[@C-M-E]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 Not sure if the reply went through on your end. If not, I can try to send it again.

[@JP-cc6yn]

Growing up in the 80's, I remember having toy guns that sparked inside the barrel when you pulled the trigger mimicking muzzle flash.

[@joshp3994]

I love these advertisements made for us nerds and geeks! Let the rest of the world have their movie trailers...I'll take more Adam behind the scenes!

[@joshslater2426]

I’m pretty hyped for this sequel, and the fact that practical effects have been used over excessive CGI makes it even better.

[@thost]

Adam, I absolutely love you. You show the unsung hero's of film industry. It remarkable to hear how much time and effort goes into one prop. The amount of ingenuity and problem solving to make it work is amazing. At least now when I watch the movie and see the props I have a better appreciation of how it was made. Thank you.

[@poochiew.9302]

I for one am glad that there are still practical effects in movies. CGI can do a lot, but the real thing is so much better!

[@JCBeastie]

The Haslab modding community were rapidly brainstorming how to achieve those sparks, brilliant! I'm really impressed with that shattering effect, it's genius.

[@bobbyk9815]

I love that they're just using the Hasbro proton packs. That's how you know they're good.

[@benjaminperez7328]

Why reinvent the wheel?

[@jasperjanderson]

I'm so glad Tested is filling the void in deep dive behind the scenes videos now that bonus materials seem to be few and far between. Hopefully more movies will follow this model!

[@CarboniteDreamer]

i love that they are using so many practical effects.

[@writerpatrick]

When it comes down to it, sometimes the practical effects are cheaper and easier than CG.

[@mikeshirleyforever]

I just hope not all the practicals are masked over with CGI like Jurassic World was, which was such a shame.

[@MrSeanman30]

Earlier today I read that Ice cube said in the 1997 Anaconda movie, the anamatronic snake not only looked terrifying but every now ans then it would malfunction and make a mess of the room it is in. Which led to the true fear of the actors in the movie. Seems like all the cgi snake movies after that look like shit compared to it.

[@themikereda]

Absolutely WILD they're using HasLab packs as a base. Obviously they're modifying them and giving them a more refined paint job but it's pretty cool to know the pack that's hanging on my wall is the same pack they're using in my favorite movie franchise.

[@Wiiggz]

The Brits have done such an amazing job on the props! Love it.

[@PolygonStew]

Just the look on Adam's face during that last spark is a feel good moment of the summer. 14:00

[@tomscaife2683]

Who of you can remember the times when there was the “Makinf of” for a film on a DVD? I liked it. to see how a film is made. it feels nice to see Adam doing the “ Makinf of Ghostbusters .”

[@stefankarlsson4652]

It's insane (and impressive) all the work that goes into the "exploding" body gag. And maybe a little sad that everyone probably will think it is a CGI effect.

[@imaner76]

Practical effects hold up over the test of time. CGI ages. This is a future classic.

[@pasco71]

"I put my hand in the sparks, Ray!"

[@Ins0mnia365]

hahaha haslabs are now 100% screen accurate props.

[@ParaSytius]

Love that these videos are highlighting the skills of the crews in the UK who are bringing these practical effects to life.

[@bangarng]

Love that Adam is sharing the things he gets to experience on set. Additionally, I must know what mini flashlight he's using.

[@Nielv13]

Yes! I need that flashlight in my life! lol

[@Merennulli]

I looked and someone on Reddit identified it as an Energizer "Hard Case" multiuse light, model HCMU11E.

[@bangarng]

@@Merennulli you are a saint! Thank you.

[@scottpageusmc]

I'll never forget taking a road trip with my folks from Denver to New York for vacation back in the late '80's. Driving through the middle of nowhere on I-70 we passed a flatbed truck with the Ghost Busters 2 car on it. It was heading to NY for filming and we just happened to be heading in the same direction at the same time. Luckily we had a camera and snapped a few shots. Small world.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

The amount of money saved in post-production CGI by getting Practical Effects to work On Set.... and the better reactions of the actors thanks to the visual cues, these are well worth the efforts.

[@CorbyQ]

As im watching this and seeing all the props being used, all i can think of is whats going thru adams mind " i cant wait to get home and put this into my proton pack!!!!".

[@NotAGoodUsername360]

The shattering scene in the intro really was spectacular. No wonder it looked so good if it was *practical!* I give the new Ghostbusters movies SO much credit for using CGI only where absolutely necessary!

[@Mospen]

These are fantastic videos. What a great way to go behind the scenes and learn about the effects in the film. Not only that but see the people who make it possible. Incredible!

[@tested]

Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to make such a kind comment!

[@Mospen]

@@tested You're welcome! These videos spark imagination and creativity. (literally!) I would love to see these included as bonus features with the film when it's released on disc! You really can't discount how effective and impressive practical effects can be! Take care and keep up the excellent work!

[@karynelizabeth6065]

We saw this movie last night, it was wonderful. The props department did a phenomenal job, it looked fantastic.

[@bpowick]

I absolutely love the problem solving and creative engineering that goes into practical movie props. Some of these props may only be on screen for a matter of seconds but the talent and work that goes into making these things is incredible.

[@lowalkoroc]

I love how Adam simply can not resist putting his hand in front of the shooting sparks lol

[@Merennulli]

What's the worst that could happen? 😅

[@lordkallogaming8800]

It's so cool to see Adam act like a kid in a candy store. He's an eternally curious man, and I'm here for it.

[@The.Pickle]

The level of all-round knowledge, from every discipline imaginable, that these prop designers have is so astonishing it's beyond impressive.

[@wink1eafc774]

The work done by the UK crews is amazing here, People have listen to James Cameron and his experience on Aliens, He couldn't adapt to the work culture in the UK. But when you let them do their jobs, they can create brilliant work, shows why so many Hollywood productions are made here, from Star Wars, to the original Superman films, James Bond movies, first 3 Alien films. So many classic movies have been made in the UK, glad this is showcasing their talents.

[@DavidConant]

I know this is part Marketing but I do appreciate the genuine excitement from Adam and the craft of the fabricators on display. So if the studios are wondering if they should do more marketing content like this, yes! The VFX should look good too if the studio treated the artists well and planned accordingly.

[@jonharvey6277]

I love seeing the mental gear change of professionals who are obviously used to only explaining what they do on a layperson level realising Adam and his audience want the full nerdy details

[@shaunlennon2429]

Love how Adam can’t help himself but stick his hands in front of the sparks. As a father of a child with ADHD my daughter would definitely be compelled to do the same thing.

[@reidon3749]

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to have ghost buster proton pack and wand, getting to see these things through Adam is awesomely fun because the way he acts is the way I would be. Amazed and in awe of the wonderful detail put into a movie that sparked our imaginations.

[@Simon-ui6db]

Hearing Adam say Aluminium wasn't something I expected. Nicely done. " As we say Aluminium " lol. Loving these videos.

[@RobbBoswell]

I used one of those miniature turbine motors on a boy scout derby car racer for a show car at my youngest son's boyscout troop race.. it flew down the track in like 1.3 seconds.. we showed off every race for years.. it was like the halftime show.. it used a 9v battery, on and off switch and them a spring loaded momentary switch at the front bumper.. so when the gate was dropped, it engaged the turbine fan.. epic fun! I even made little no step stickers.. wish i could include pictures here.. lol..

[@timparsons3565]

Hey, there, editor! This is how you handle noisy environments. some noise reduction, with background noises retained to keep it natural, without reducing noise so much it sounds like the voices are in a watery tin can. Much improved over previous on-location videos!

[@beau-urns]

Nothing beats practical effects

[@Digital-Dan]

Wow! That spark cannon was almost as realistic as a CGI effect.

[@simplersearchproductions]

Cool! The wand looks like it's inspired by the thermal spray overlay process, or spray welding.

[@tattoolurch]

I miss seeing all of the behind the scene departments showing off their skills, talent and craft for creating something out of just an idea and the level of detail being brought to the movies that always goes unseen, never really gives these departments the recognition and praise that they deserve. That's why I love watching this type of content from the old dvds and bonus features.

[@Tactical_Hotdog]

"aluminium", good lad Adam!

[@SrChr778]

So much fun to watch imagineering at work. Especially the shattering part. My god, I haven't laughed with joy like that in SO long! 😄

[@TheDigitalDecade]

The movie was great! I love that they used as many practical effects as possible.

[@Trakker1985]

Practical stuff is so cool. I also feel like it also costs 1/10th what an equivalent CGI shot would cost, rendering 1000's of shards of shattering ice would probably take a lot of computer work. whereas here, they just exist and they shatter them and they fall realistically, because they are real XD

[@maxmattt]

It's great to see them using practical effects and not relying wholly on CGI

[@daveash9572]

Reading up on Mark Bullimore, that man has so many impressive credits to his name. Adam, I'd love to hear you interview him about his career.

[@bingbruce4865]

There is nothing quite like practical effects. Thanks Adam.

[@TheRecreationalMachinist]

This has been the best 15 minutes of today 👍 🇬🇧

[@MrClassicor]

I love the internals of the brass proton pack - there is art to simplicity like that :D

[@MorningDusk7734]

Here I would have been just shoving a red fountain firework into the end of the Proton Pack Wand and wiring a sparker to light the firework on command, and build in a break action to dump the firework into a bucket to prep for the next take. Your version is much more controllable and probably much safer!

[@thomasharper9087]

9:19 why was the "nasa" branded cart blurred out? its obviously the meatball and worm logo...

[@mynamejeff8401]

Copyright and stuff

[@klamar123]

And the defunct PanAm logo. On airline bar trolleys. I thought it was Tom Sachs artwork at first. Odd.

[@mertz7305]

Anyone else terrified when he stuck his hand in front of the wand? My mind went back to the vacuum cleaner motor.

[@tokintraveler1260]

adam: puts hand directly in sparks editors: *quick cut* *QUICK CUT!* (but leave it in, adam's a BA)

[@davephilpotphilpot9867]

I am so so happy that they are keeping to the ethos of Ghostbusters and trying to use practical effects when they can and not relying to much on CGI ..which is fine to a point but the practical effects just sell so much better and really lend the film a far more believable feel! Im so excited for this film and these videos are really so well made thanks guys

[@Dominator9572]

Would be great if Adam got a full suited cameo in the end credits, with a Rick Moranis vibe.

[@tested]

We wish! Alas, did not happen.

[@DevilMaster]

Oh, wow! I didn't expect those effects to be practical. When I saw the scenes, I thought in 3D Studio terms - spray particle generation, gravity, chaos parameter of the explosion, glow lens effect on the G channel... this was a surprise.

[@bobsmarts3074]

Loving that real practical effects are alive and well - amazing!

[@lewisj2au]

oh thats cool. For the proton gun they are basically using the same technology that is used in wedding events where we use machines that shoot up non flammable sparks. A cold spark machine.

[@elainegallagher6015]

I love that the FX crew are able to buy commercial off the shelf proton packs

[@DanMilano]

ICE EFFECT LOOKS SOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!!

[@TechTrendz937]

No lie, when I seen the Modified Proton pack in use during the film, my jaw dropped. Imo, it was the best part of the movie 😂

[@killer_rabbit42]

I love seeing how practical effects are done. I love the creativity that needs to go into props, costumes, & set designs, especially fantasy based stuff. I would love to have a job like that.

[@StephenJBGray]

Love this behind the scenes work Adam & team! Excited for Frozen Empire!

[@DavidLeeKersey]

That wand gag is amazing.

[@bennyfactor]

I like how they are using some of the high grade toys for stunt / specialty props -- very much like the effects crews star trek would do with star trek model kits for background space scenes and stuff

[@Redfern42]

Yup, as far back as the original 1960s series. twice they employed an AMT 18 inch model kit. The better remembered occasion was the "Doomsday Machine" to depict the battered "Constellation". The other time was the Enterprise seen through the window of Mr. Lurry's office aboard space station K-7 in "The Trouble with Tribbles". Recently I learned they actually went to the effort to illuminate the model, giving it glowing windows and (I think) nacelle domes. Sadly, none of that detail was seen at the distance the model was shot. Work schedules probably prevented such, but too bad that extra effort was not applied to the "Constellation" given it was shot far closer to the camera, sometimes almost filling the screen. One could argue the windows need not be lit as the ship was heavily damaged and running on minimal power. True. What I mean is it's a shame they didn't have the time to better "weather" and contrast the surface of the kit miniature to look less like the hobby model it really was. Then again, the episode was pretty much a "bottle show", using nothing more than the existing standing sets to represent both ships. The DDM itself appeared to be constructed of a wire frame (possibly a tomato vine scaffold), metal foil and chromatic gel sheets. Certain shots even reveal was appears to be adhesive tape to bond the materials. I honestly wonder if more money was spent upon "Tribbles" due to the need of a station office, a bar, the grain bin room and roughly 500 balls of "fluff", some rigged to "breathe" or to crawl?

[@xboxgamer2274]

I can't wait for the spanglers to react to the old fire house

[@dcimedic]

Wow the proton wand is actually a spray welder type device.

[@NY_7]

Gotta love practical effects in movies. Too much CGI will take you out of the experience. I'm glad these new Ghostbusters movies have still gone with the practical effects mixed with CGI to fully have you believe what you're seeing.

[@Gamefreak8112]

Hell Yeah!

[@BusterMikeMD]

a good mix of practical with a little CGI assistance is great. love this

[@SERRANOEFECTOS]

If I lived three lives, three lives I would still be dedicated to SFX. Thank you Adam and Tested crew for your great channel!

[@voodoomotion5855]

Can't they just do it with CGI? 😂 ...so glad they didn't, it's wonderful to see this level of ingenuity with practical effects. We're lucky to have not lost the talent!

[@ZurgOtter]

This video alone has just made alot of pack creators very happy. 😆

[@MikesFutureRetro]

Why do I feel like I’m watching a list episode of myth busters ?? Adam - your KZbin kiddos are top notch production… keep it up … you have much more to share and explain in the stuntman/effects/model building/blow stuff up/whatever world of science ! Love the Chanel

[@mikejones9480]

You can see how much Adam loves this profession, he's grinning ear to ear in almost every shot. You can also tell he's not just listening, he's working out everything in his head and knows how things work even before they tell him😂 What an amazing career!!

[@lifesizecollector]

Super cool, I find how they do these special effects Really interesting. Thanks for doing a video on it!!

[@Fallub]

Crazy cool engineering. Great job.

[@MrMootheMighty]

The mutual admiration for sharing their work is so intense, if they just started making out I wouldn't even bat an eye. Just another day in Tested.

[@agustinustobing3283]

_there is a time when practical effects more fun than CGI_

[@HMFan2010]

As complicated as these props are, they would have been ahead just to build an ACTUAL proton pack! Neat stuff! Practical effects are endlessly fascinating to me, especially when used in live theatre because there’s no trickery or editing; you are seeing the effect in real time. Thanks, Adam, for taking us all on these B-t-S episodes!

[@ieyke]

Everything about this movie is so damn cool. I need to go see it again this week.

[@kevinwng]

Impressive to see how they modified the Haslab packs!

[@Thornus_______]

I like seeing Adam talking shop with his peers

[@mariusj8542]

Even though this is crazy cool, cant help to think about the guys behind the equipment. These are some very smart and creative people..wow!

[@jlroth186]

I'm getting strong Jurassic Park vibes. He is just like the main cast talking to the scientist in the lab and getting all excited.

[@Floyd1138]

'The franchise rights alone will make us rich beyond our wildest dreams.' - Peter Venkman. I'd love to see this.... Ghostbusters LA with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. Ghostbusters UK with Simone Peg and Nick Frost. I take paypal.

[@Alex-zi1nb]

such an amazing job by that whole cast and crew with the practical effects