Ultra Cheap Movie Tricks and Practical Effects

Yes, smoke and mirrors, literally! All kinds of cheap ways of tricking the camera without using computers, green screen or CGI effects... the Markus way. This is how they used to do it in the 80s and 90s. Well, at least I did, lol. Miniatures, forced perspective, glass paintings, foreground miniatures, multiplane shots, fishing line, foam core, hot glue, and all kinds of optical mind tricks to amuse and tickle your fancy. These cheap FX can still be used with video cameras nowadays for those lacking money but full of inspiration and the desire to experiment. This was all filmed in VHS so please excuse the quality.
the Hollywood movie I made is called "To the Ends of Time" and is available on Amazon and the DVD is also at www.MarkusMovieDVD.com
other videos
Who am I • Who am I
The Hollywood Movie I made... Behind the Scenes • The Hollywood Movie I ...
Hollywood Tricks and Practical Effects • Hollywood Tricks and P...
My underground studio • My Underground Studio ...
Markus paintings • Paintings by Markus Ro...
Markus miniatures • Miniature models built...
Markus fantasy homes • The Fantasy Homes of M...
pinball • World's Top Pinball Ar...
architecture • Architecture designed ...
Subscribe and tell your friends about MarkusPix
My Health channel is www.thehealthyl...
See photoshoot images of Cara at www.shortsillus...
The Markus and Cara Instagram page is / markusandcara
Cara's personal Instagram is / iamcarabrotman
Markus health products (things that I use personally) www.markusproducts.com

[@billyoung9538]

This is possibly my favorite of all the videos here so far, because it shows that practical effects can be just as effective as CG, and don't have to cost a ton either. So many very clever uses of common everyday things, mixed with an exposé of some of your incredible miniatures and artwork.

[@Petersonmgee]

I HATE CG

[@misterabroad123]

I agree

[@bakerfresh]

I keep going back to 80s movies when thinking of watching something new on Prime or Netflix. 7th voyage of Sinbad n Jason and the Argonauts are still fun. Clash of the Titans...much better than the remake. And thats said over and over.

[@selphconscious]

.. I'll go as far to say better then cg when done well.. period

[@millthor]

Most of what we do in VFX is just trying to emulate the practical ones, and many times the lighting doesn’t look as realistic. Practical will always have that special place in my heart.

[@misterabroad123]

Incredible. I prefer the 80s-90s special effects more than cgi. They just give more character and authenticity. Fantastic work

[@JohnFekoloid]

Plus it just keeps one off PCs, phones and internet. And just doing things outdoors freely.

[@jaysmith2858]

They have a visceral quality to them that CGI simply doesn't have e.g. the skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts.

[@mallninja9805]

There's a very different kind of artistry and creativity in practical effects. I won't claim that I can tell the difference in every finished movie, but the behind the scenes / making-of are so much more interesting than a guy working in Blender.

[@kangarooMonkee]

I find really crude early cgi kinda charming. Probably because it was used so much in cartoons I watched as a kid. Like the cgi city in the 90’s Spider-Man cartoon.

[@lilmilontiktok]

Lmao

[@DelcoAirsoft]

These effects are honestly unbelievable. All of this magic has been removed from filmmaking. We need it back.

[@TheShattenjager]

Has not been removed from filmmaking. Why would you say that? Many directors opt for mostly practical effects whenever possible because they have the same appreciation as you do. Don’t be so eager to do the whole woe is us today act.

[@niklashegg]

That’s just not true

[@ringoze]

Well, perhaps a lot of the 'low-budget trickery' is taking a back seat to CGI.

[@henrykkeszenowicz4664]

As an amateur filmmaker with zero budget but huge ambitions, I thank you for inspiring and giving me lots of new ideas on how to get around my complete impossibility to mage CGI. Using mirrors to increase the room length is mind-blowing yet simple.

[@coolbananaboy5075]

Markus, wow, it's unbelievable how you have retained that wide-eyed exuberance and enthusiasm that you had in over 35 years ago! It's mind boggling what you have done, and still do, and how you do it.

[@trollem69]

This is the reason why I love watching low budget/B Movies. The ingenuity and creativity that goes into those kinds of Movies is unbelievable.

[@dylantortosa7678]

This is insane. I haven't come up across this channel before, but this is such great insight into what you can do with what little you can have. As an amateur "filmmaker," this is invaluable information to me

[@crewrangergaming9582]

same. I hit that subscribe button real fast and I rarely subscribe to channels

[@mymaster416]

this guy is insane. Check out his video where he talks about his life and all his jobs

[@rebeccaspratling2865]

Markus is a literal genius on so many topics. Movie production, photography, herbs, health, bodily anatomy, the list goes on.

[@protorhinocerator142]

I used to have a couple nice Mitsubishi VCR's. They had really elaborate remote controls with a jog shuttle and a flip-up panel. I kept the remotes in case I ever made a sci-fi movie. These could pass for futuristic communicators or tricorders easy.

[@leokimvideo]

Just hearing the mention of Sega, wow that company was once massive, yet now it's barely mentioned. The 2000's were some very dark days for the company

[@MarkusPix]

Actually for most of the time I did pinballs for them, they were Data East Pinball. They were Sega for a bit, then eventually became Stern pinball when Joe Kaminkow went over to IGT slot machines and Gary Stern took over the pinball company

[@film79]

I wouldn't say they are barely mentioned, but they have fallen a lot.

[@simonpayne7994]

It is all so simple. Anybody could do that! But of course, the opposite is true. The mock-ups he shows us are really amazing and Markus has quite clearly a very special artistic talent for painting back-drops and building models coupled with infinite ingenuity. He almost certainly had to produce many of his solutions within much too short time frames given by the specific production deadlines. From this particular video - and several others - I have come to the conclusion that he has always had a very special relationship to light-stands. It seems they have been playing all sorts of unusual supporting roles to him throughout his whole professional life. I guess, that if Markus should ever come in need of a tombstone - may this never be the case - a light-stand would be a much more appropriate decoration standing proudly in memoriam between the flowers. 😁

[@zouhairbenazzouz2536]

Markus I write you this from the bottom of my heart ! The biggest giveaway you offered us, is you existing and sharing your content. I really wish one day I will have the chance to meet you. Thank you, and thank your amazing muse for everything !

[@Tclans]

This feels so much like a magician explaining his tricks only this doesn’t spoil the magic, it tickles the imagination!

[@DOI_ARTS]

Practical effects will always have a special place in my heart.

[@BentleyLifeStylePhotography]

What a wonderful life Markus - thank you for sharing a part of your story. AND for it not being interrupted constantly with ads. You truly are an incredibly skilled and talented artist.

[@Jestunes]

Just wanted to tell you that you've peaked the interest I had to make a movie. It's a lot of work but when it's all done I can be proud that I got my butt off the couch and did something constructive that will bring smiles to countless people for eons. Shame you can't hear the music score I am hearing for this comment. It's awesome...

[@chimedemon]

Wait wooooaah, where will you post it when it’s finished??

[@fraustpunk]

I love how excited you are, like you just consistently pulled practical joke after practical joke on the viewer.

[@nitaibishop]

Pure gold right here….dance on that edge baby!

[@MyGreenLawn2019]

I've done movies for years, Started on super 8 lol - But wish I had the knowledge back then for the sets you've made. That's awesome

[@martinmclure3537]

Hi Markus, thanks for the brilliant levels of experimentation in film making, sound and photography. You probably get a lot of people feeding back your positive influence. I bought a second hand nx500 after watching your videos and because you advised it can use manual lenses I started buying manual glass and playing again and enjoying my photography again where I had lost a bit of interest in it. OK none of it is ever going to be world leading but it is so much more fun and challenging to get results that I am proud of. I might even try some video. Anyway just a simple thanks from Martin in Scotland

[@CNSninja]

This entire video is such a fantastic example of what is meant by the phrase "simplicity is the cornerstone of brilliance." Imagine trying to import massive carved rocks and trying to attach them to your ceiling like a cave. That would be insanity, not to mention potentially dangerous. Coming up with a decent alternative would be very hard if you lack creativity, but coming up with a _simple and decent_ alternative without a high degree of creativity would just be out of the question. Crumbling up a big piece of colored paper and sticking it to the ceiling with push pins gives essentislly the same look, but it's ludicrously simple. Absolutely and genuinely brilliant. Oldschool practical effects just blow my mind, and this is one of the greatest collections I've ever seen.

[@knightforlorn6731]

bro you are literally my hero. this is the stuff I live for. Who remembers Robot Jox? Giant robots fighting eachother for the fate of the world! It looks like early star wars cuz it basically is!

[@honjanginamo]

I'm so glad to be a "youngin" trying to explore film making and have found your channel! Your content is amazing, and learning the foundations should be a great start :) Thank you markus!

[@WeWillAlwaysHaveVALIS]

Dude as someone who grew up (and still is for that matter) enamored with the special effects of the movies, this is an absolute treat! Really happy to have found this channel, this is like the answer vault for all my childhood puzzlement at how it's done!

[@peffken8834]

"All you need is creativity and inspiration" You're my man, yes & yeah, that's the way... and thx 4 this nice inside footage of your work!

[@cpl.barbarusc4814]

This is something that makes me admire this effects over CG, the simple materials and all the love put into this efffects.

[@dempos]

In other words, as awesome as you already think Markus is he is even more awesome than that! Would love to see more of your artwork. Do you have an online gallery?

[@coolbananaboy5075]

You must have 48 hours in your days - to get soooo much done. This stuff you do is amazing. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@YoungEarthCreation]

He doesn’t sleep 🛌

[@ModMax69]

@@YoungEarthCreation possibly a vampire lives forever

[@YoungEarthCreation]

@@ModMax69 well he does hate silver. Your onto something

[@ModMax69]

@@YoungEarthCreation he's a gold3n boy

[@DogmanNarratives]

I remember watching that programs as a kid. That was you!? You're one of the reasons why I got into CGI work.

[@Dev1nci]

The 80's flyover looks like an 80's flyover haha but some of these ideas are SO innovative with basically no resources, brilliant.

[@MileyonDisney]

Awesome! The paint rolling trays are hilarious! They look like real science-fiction stuff. For anybody who likes this video, I HIGHLY recommend going to look at your 'Who an I' video. I've watched it a few times now, and I find it so fascinating and amazing. You are so incredibly talented.

[@MShirow]

I've been going through a creative block lately. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks for the inspiration Markus!

[@jacobmarley2417]

The materials are cheap but the artistic skill to pull some of them off is priceless

[@SamLanena]

Been hacking away at film making for 20 years, still learned from this. ✌️

[@30AndHatingIt]

The absolute PEAK of practical effects is the fleet battle above Endor in Return Of The Jedi in 1983. What they were able to accomplish with practical effects, models and layered shots… ZERO computers, is nothing less than a miracle. To this day that space battle is absolutely gorgeous. So when I see this video it just puts a smile on my face because it’s just like this, only on a larger scale and with a higher budget. Some of the sci-fi models you had in this video definitely gave off a Star Wars vibe. I’m actually doing a fan edit of that same battle of Endor, beefing it up with deleted scenes of some of the pilot footage they never used… and I WISH I had the resources, experience and talent you have. I would absolutely build my own B, A and X-wing models to go with that pilot footage and add it in, trying to make it seem like something they actually made back in ‘83. But I just don’t have that ability.

[@PickinPins]

I just don't know what to say anymore !!!! hahahaahh You're just to much Markus! You're a brilliant guy! Love ya bro Tell Car' I said hey! lol

[@rudiruttger]

It's timeless how awesome this all is.

[@renelegaspi6851]

It's so incredibly crazy I love it. The idea of making a whole set inside an apartment blows my mind. The the lighstand guns, oh man.

[@Paul.McGhie]

Thanks Markus - I LOVE these BTS videos where you break down your special effects. I'm totally inspired to make some miniatures!

[@ddespair]

On one hand it’s really inspiring how talented he is across multiple artistic disciplines and what he can do with so little. On the other hand it’s disenchanting how someone has been around so long and possesses the aforementioned qualities doesn’t even have a Wikipedia stub. If someone can paint and sculpt and shoot and direct and write that well, work with all those names but can’t break into some level of limelight, what chance do the rest of us have? Ah well, I guess it isn’t all about the fame and fortune. Love the miniatures!

[@MarkusPix]

I had a Wikipedia page but haters shot it down saying it wasn't possible for one person to do all that

[@boringpolitician]

@@MarkusPix - You should have made a "cloning closet", filmed yourself entering it, and leaving with several "clones", then post that as a video to Wikipedia and state that this is how you did it.

[@danieladamczyk4024]

That like grandpa telling stories from his past. I love you granpa.

[@pillepolle3122]

In times where movie effects are only CGI I appreciate the creativity and realism of practical effects.

[@alicewright3439]

Please do more videos about practical effects that an amateur filmmaker can recreate!!! Maybe like tutorials on miniature models or matte paintings?! I love how you show that the average person can create such Cool effects with some creativity and passion on a budget :)

[@ModMax69]

SO COOL MARKUS! You are truly the gift that keeps on giving! We owe you

[@masterklaw4527]

As much as I love CGI, I think that practical effects have a better sense of authenticity. CGI or Practical, if you can get the audience to ask "How'd they do that?", you've done something magical.

[@sirdannyfarber]

Wow, this is quite possibly the coolest approach to making films. I gotta use my own miniature for the first time last year!! Its so fun. Your work is outstanding and really inspiring! Definitely gonna pay homage in some of my future work!

[@MichaelLauzon1976]

But, did any of this end up in movies..?!

[@thomasandrews9086]

He said he made his own Indy films and did pick up shots in Hollywood.

[@dericksilva281]

TIME: the lord of all things, shows it. The making of this video with auxiliary low-poly graphics to example, nowadays so cheap, would, back then, demand a high-end powerful computer to do the same. "Nowadays luxury, will be tomorrow's basics"

[@McBruce999]

@MarkusPix I believe you knew that KZbin was coming in the future and made those videos for us. What a joy to see your work. Hats offf to you Sir.

[@stuffchat]

Your painting skills are amazeballs dude! Not that I'm telling you anything you don't know. But yeah quite the hoard of talent you are. One question: What do you do with everything after you're done with it? Do you just throw it in the trash or do you hoard it or how do you deal with all the stuff you've created?

[@signoguns8501]

Thanks for the upload, Markus. This was fascinating. Love the infectious frantic manic creative energy that you guys had. Kinda makes me feel sorry for the current generations of special effects artists. I bet blowing up hand-made styrofoam spaceships in your back yard is much more fun than sitting at a computer for weeks on end.

[@IamBock]

I can't stop watching this video. I LOVE practical film effects! I plan to incorporate at least one of these tricks into my next film project. Thank you so much, Markus. Your channel is fantastic.

[@plnkfloydian7814]

That glass painting technique is brilliant in its simplicity and effectiveness

[@bestof467]

This is the definition of talent. Compare all the hard work to today with A.I doing everything for u, including writing the script with realistic CGI actors!

[@krazivaya]

YOU REALLY MADE MAGIC BACK THEN.... THANK YOU FOR SHEARING YOUR EXCELLENT WORK.

[@user-fj1xh5pj6e]

I cant believe i'm just finally learning about you after making my own no-budget web series for the past four years where I build my own props, sets and vfx. This has re-inspired to take it to a while new level!

[@djchinatown]

as cheap looking as it is, still beats CGI hands down. I love it

[@realphillipcarter]

This is amazing stuff. I've done novels, a bit of comedy, some hosting, but right now I am missing when I used to make movies in my back yard with my friends, so going to do it again

[@pseudonym3690]

simple but clever and looked believable enough. I wish more directors would use practical effects nowadays

[@PixiePaperclip]

I would prefer to watch this level of creativity, rather than most of the things brought out today.

[@KrasserChund]

there is a huge storm brewing in my brain right now, your video literally blew the dust from my creativity cabinet. thank you for making this insanely inspiring and funny video

[@ealtar]

i love how low budget has this immage quality , this look i can't describe it, yet, it's so visible

[@Nurhaal]

I absolutely adored watching this. So glad it ended up in my feed.

[@skylx0812]

KZbin's been bugging me with this video in my recommendations for a few weeks, finally gave in and watched it. ...Holy COW Used to make props. Made a .45 using a fireplace lighter that had a trigger on it (meant to use the piezoelectric switch to set off a flashbulb) Built the gun around it using dowels and car body filler. Dismantled a tourist camera instead, the kind where you used to just turn in the entire camera to a developer, stuck the flash bulb in "gun barrel", a bored out dowel, wired the flash to the trigger. Used a red marker on the bulb. The actor pulls the tigger on stage, bright red flash, a gun sound effect and flash singed the wooden dowel so the gun barrel even smoked after the bulb went off. Audience went, WOW!!

[@fernandogutierrez4868]

I don’t know why it took KZbin so long to suggest this video to me but so glad I stumbled upon it! What an inspiration to create even if you don’t have much!

[@dripnx6381]

you are such a creative film maker, from tri-pod rifles to converting a small crappy apartment into a sci-fi set, your cool

[@JoeSyxpack]

I love working with foam core for miniatures. It's cheap, weighs almost nothing, loves acrylic paint, and is so easy to cut to shape. If you can imagine it, you can create it with foam core.

[@Gyrbae]

The one thing that no amount of cgi can reproduce are those glorious massive manes that people back then used to call hair. Every shot looks like a badass metal album cover.

[@greenrabbit4075]

Man I love this McGuyver attitude everyone had back then ^^ "Who needs lights, we have the sun and mirrors", "who needs a studio or a real jet, we have cardboard and a living room" XD

[@Emperorvalse]

Thank you for sharing these videos of your past work. You definitely are a magician with your work.

[@louisax4058]

I love these, it took so much creativity and ingenuity to create these effects in the 80s.

[@maxim25o2]

Oh is amasing.! This days everyone forget about that. But old methods have so much more magic in movies.

[@idxstudios]

I follow your principals in my film career..thank you brother..I keep bringing forward...your insights and talent speak volumes.

[@noneyobizniz8991]

I am astounded at the SPEED at which you can create

[@trevorbrown6654]

These are really good and go to prove that practical effects don't age anything like as badly as CGI. I'm amazed at how simple some of the techniques and still look great 40 years later.

[@willlikesmovies]

This made me smile & laugh out loud many times. I love seeing practical effects, I hope someday we can bring this back to movies. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@rico879]

Oh my, such creativity! Love the 80s

[@Anglerwave]

I had a vhs of To The Ends of Time growing up! The scale was epic and that clock totally kept an edge! Amazing work!

[@noscope1876]

This is the second time I've come back to this video, and every time the video ends, I get tons of motivation and inspiration to go out there and just make something! It's been a while since I've made a film, but this video really motivates me to go make a film!

[@Lensman64]

🙏👍 Film making for the pure love and fun of it! Seeing how it's made makes it even better.

[@walterwhite154]

This is so much better and magical than spiritless and boring CGI

[@pendarvis]

Way back when, you said you wanted to 'inspire people'. Well- You are certainly doing that right now. Congrats on that- AND for having so much fun for so many years just ... creating!

[@drewbola]

Finally something I can watch on KZbin that doesn't feel like my soul has left my body. I'll be watching this with my four kids hoping for some sparks of inspiration. Thank you so much for this fun and exciting trip. Off to see the Courtney Love video now.

[@OrinBoborin]

Ok but... which one is it??

[@drewbola]

@@OrinBoborin "Malibu" by Hole. A blink and miss it scene at the one minute mark.

[@potatokitty]

Practical effects are awesome and underrated.

[@HellOnWheel]

What a time to be alive. And you made the most of it!

[@artzreal]

I'm self taught artist from very early age, and among many other art forms, including modeling, I can now paint stuff most won't distinguish from a photograph. But this is FREAKING GENIUS level. One's gotta be kinda workaholic also, in this case.

[@lakeshorevideoproduction]

I’m jealous. You lived and worked through the golden age of cinema before CGI. Very cool. Now I’m inspired to make movies in my living room.

[@C_Corpze]

Damn that's interesting! I love how clever all of these tricks are. Still blows my mind what they did back in the old days before CGI was a thing.

[@FOVoid]

This video should be a national treasure

[@RONDOIBAD]

This video was such a delight. Thank you so much for putting out all your experience and fun little "cheats" out into the world!!!

[@ForTheOmnissiah]

"Just make it work" turns out some of the most believable effects you could imagine. It's crazy.

[@ordinaryk]

Green screens and CGI are making actual constructed movie sets an endangered species. Thanks for this neat look into a nearly lost art!

[@LarryB]

I'm not into film making or anything but I paint miniatures and have made dungeon tiles and stuff like that. I couldn't imagine putting together something like the towns or cities you made in weeks let alone days. Freaking crazy.

[@HomeScanRollouts]

An absolute dedication to the art! Outstanding work, bravo.....

[@OktoberStorm]

Moving background? Ultra Cheap! The genius behind all this? Priceless!

[@Cincy32]

Stuff like this is why I do enjoy playing my original video games, DVDs, & VHS on CRT. HD and especially 4k can just give too much away & eliminate all imagination.

[@TUCOtheratt]

I really enjoyed this video! 😃👍 Old school movie effects are so much better than CGI and now AI taking over. I have made some mini movies myself and it is a ton of fun but a huge workload. I wish I could organize some quality help like you have done.

[@mattsrollingworld1081]

That was a wild ride. Thanks for letting us sit in the back seat.

[@birouldoi1776]

Wow. This is so so great! Huge respect for all creator which made things possible with mind and hands.

[@genesanford9412]

Man , i really miss these days! Outstanding talent

[@4rjohny5]

This is THE best video on doing practical FX and Filmmaking affordably by using what you already have. Thank you for sharing this, Markus!

[@NormGagnon]

Been there, done that...and these days I'm still using these types of practical effects in local films!