Arts and Entertainment^347
1 GENRES
Genre is a category of film, such as a western. The
Hollywood western The Magnificent Seven (1960) was
based on Japan’s The Seven Samurai (1954) (above).
1 SPECIAL EFFECTS
Computers have revolutionized special effects. This spectacular
explosion in The Rock (1996) was filmed and then enhanced by
computer-generated imagery to make it even more breathtaking.1 STUDIO SETS
A submarine enters the specially built set in the
James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).
This costly set recreates the inside of a warship.FIND OUT MORE. Animation 349 • Literature 340–342 • Musicals 338
MAKE-UP 1
Arnold Schwarzenegger is being
made up for The Terminator
(1984). Gory face paints create a
fake wound and make it look like
he has robot parts beneath his skin.HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood – a suburb of Los Angeles, USA –
is the centre of the world film industry. The
Californian sunshine attracted early movie
makers, because the film they used at the
time worked best in strong light. The varied
landscape also provided good locations.SPECIAL EFFECTS
These are techniques used to create illusions
(images that are not real). Hidden wires
make it look like an actor is flying. A train
crash can be filmed with tiny models. Most
effects today are computer-generated.WHAT WERE THE EARLY SPECIAL EFFECTS?
Moving scenery was projected on a screen behind the
actors. This made it look like a car was driving along
a road when, in fact, it was stationary in a studio.
Another effect was to mask part of the camera, so that
the same piece of film could be used twice. In this
way, actors could be superimposed on backgrounds.TITANIC 1
Titanic (1997) attracted huge
audiences to cinemas and
made millions of dollars. It won
11 Oscars, a record it shares with
Ben-Hur (1959), and Lord of the
Rings: Return of the King (2004).OSCAR STATUETTE 3
This trophy is given to winners of categories
(such as Best Actor) in the annual Academy
Awards for film. It shows a knight with a
sword standing on a film reel.WHY IS HOLLYWOOD SO FAMOUS?
The big Hollywood studios controlled
the industry for many years, because
they not only made films but also
owned most of the US cinemas. They
used their power to turn their actors
into worldwide stars. Hollywood
studios today fund and distribute films
made by smaller companies too. While
Hollywood remains dominant, other
cinema cultures, such as the Indian
film industry, also have a big following.© A.M.P.A.S. ®