Werewolf Transformation
Hey there Stan Winston School! As some of you probably know by now, I like pulling off practical effects. If you guys like old
monster movies, then you guys are going to be completely animated by
what I'm going to ask you guys next:
I'm very curious as to how I would pull off a werewolf-transformation if I wanted to do that kind of movie. In my case it doesn't even need to include body parts mushrooming into animalistic proportions. (like in "American Werewolf in London") What I'm asking here, is how would I create the effect of hair just sprouting like grass from a person's skin on camera.
I'm very curious as to how I would pull off a werewolf-transformation if I wanted to do that kind of movie. In my case it doesn't even need to include body parts mushrooming into animalistic proportions. (like in "American Werewolf in London") What I'm asking here, is how would I create the effect of hair just sprouting like grass from a person's skin on camera.
Post edited by Joseph Humpston on
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Best Answers
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Chris Ellerby
Admin
That classic hair effect is typically a reverse effect. The prosthetic has long hairs on the surface that are pulled down inside the prosthetic to create a normal hair length. The footage is then reversed and it appears to be growing.
Many of the other effects are forms and bladders moving under the skin of a prosthetic.
For reference, here's the classic scene from "An American Werewolf in London"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFLQS12z8K4
And a behind the scenes video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMBRAS68R38
/Chris6 -
Chris Ellerby
Admin
I would do that like traditional hair punching, where the hairs are punched through the outer surface of the skin using a needle. The hairs would be punched all the way through the skin and leave some excess hair on the inside that could be grabbed later for the pulling effect.
/Chris
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Answers
There is the physical transformation of man in to wolf.. or the transformation of the would growing inside of the man and shedding the skin.
But being able to control the timing of the 'reaction' during a shoot can work wonders.
One humorous take I saw was stripping and actor.. wetting him.. covering him with lawn seeds.. and doing a very slow take over several weeks
One of the best transformation was the original "The Howling" Both for the effects of pushing a lupine snout out of a human face.
And the second is seeing a very young Robert Picardo (alias the holographic doctor from Start Trek Voyager) in one of his first shoots
I have wanted to make a werewolf movie - however I prefer to see my werewolves combining the best of both worlds.. rather than the worst (yes there are some good werewolves tales.. consider Sir Marrok https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisclavret)
I'd see the transformation as not a disjointed popping and painful stretching of skin and flesh. But more a gradual easing from one form to another. - not painful.
As for the lycan form - full wolf head, deeper chest but humanoid, not having the peak that a wolf or dog has. Bipedal but with a digitgrade stance, and a tail.
Fingers shorter to enable running on all 4, as well as having the dexterity for gripping and manipulating. Human can shift at will to lycan and back though once lycan they will choose to leave human society and live as lycan.
Capable of limited human speech but that is more due to jaw and larynx construction that intellect. Highly intelligent but with a different focus as they have the eyesight of humans but the hearing and sense of smell of a wolf. Society is very scent based and individuals are very open with each other. Lies, deceit can be smelt as well as other emotions and health.
When in human form the individual is often acknowledged in society as being fair and honorable.
Diet is that of omnivorous but with considerable amount of meat. Hunts for killing are done when necessary and it is against their beliefs to make the prey suffer. And they always acknowledge that a creature has died so they can live.
Hunts for fun usually involve one of the pack member's being the 'prey' and it is a challenge and honor for them not to get caught by the others. Likewise when the 'prey' is caught there will be playful interactions.
'Infection' is seen as a gift and the recipient is always asked and needs approval from the pack. Transmission is via transfer of fluids (Saliva, blood etc) but needs additional chemical to take hold.. Without the chemicals it's just a nasty fever. The chemicals are from herbs and given to the recipient at the initiation ceremony.
Society is of course secretive preferring to keep a low profile for various reasons.
Anyway - just my thought on the subject