tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post1292586044921732443..comments2024-03-27T23:06:28.849+13:00Comments on Matte Shot - a tribute to Golden Era special fx: Thrills Times Four: Matte Art From Hitchcock's 60's EraNZPetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-71307455950964524612021-10-02T18:35:24.950+13:002021-10-02T18:35:24.950+13:00I believe Hitch was an accomplished artist himself...I believe Hitch was an accomplished artist himself.<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-91763927643564197342021-10-01T16:49:18.806+13:002021-10-01T16:49:18.806+13:00Did Hitchcock himself create his own artwork?Did Hitchcock himself create his own artwork?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08983742050379910912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-60095530176706671432019-09-23T21:50:07.542+12:002019-09-23T21:50:07.542+12:00Very useful, thank you. I'm making a period fi...Very useful, thank you. I'm making a period film and hope to use some of these hand-painted techniques. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12564230186026844315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-52430860371894889682017-08-02T23:52:34.645+12:002017-08-02T23:52:34.645+12:00Beautiful. Hitchcock's matte shots were alway...Beautiful. Hitchcock's matte shots were always more impressive than his awful back projections - - because even where a matte painting Looks like a matte painting, I can appreciate the art of it, and that's a worthwhile trade-off with realism.authorgaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10184781574549260000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-8471448304137000292016-05-23T12:05:12.525+12:002016-05-23T12:05:12.525+12:00Hi Jessie
It pleases me no end to learn of people...Hi Jessie<br /><br />It pleases me no end to learn of people such as yourself gaining inspiration from and appreciating the lost art of traditional matte painting. I feel I've done my job when I read comments such as yours.<br /><br />PeterNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-35317706698343000242016-05-22T06:45:11.928+12:002016-05-22T06:45:11.928+12:00I make my living as a freelance animator and illus...I make my living as a freelance animator and illustrator. I do my work mostly on computer, but I still love to draw and paint whenever I find an excuse. I relish finding a source of beautifully painted matte shots, because they always inspire me to paint. I'm starting a transition period toward becoming a fine artist (my form of retirement), and one of the things that inspires me the most are the beautifully executed matte paintings that remind me how art can be the ultimate vehicle for self expression. Thank you very much for your wonderful presentation and insight.<br /><br />Jessie<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078002281143447633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-66564919945329469242014-07-17T08:47:25.354+12:002014-07-17T08:47:25.354+12:00Thank you Pete - fantastic work! Love your Blog. S...Thank you Pete - fantastic work! Love your Blog. Sad that the Blu-Ray sometimes is too sharp so that many effects are looking not as good as in cinema, on VHS or DVD... :-)Uli G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16618888178503545104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-28346046176159439042014-07-16T12:49:05.989+12:002014-07-16T12:49:05.989+12:00RE: TORN CURTAIN farm long shot...
I was talking...RE: TORN CURTAIN farm long shot... <br /><br />I was talking with Jim Danforth and he is certain that shot is a Whitlock painted matte as he vaguely recalls seeing the painting (of the farm house, but can't recall the rest of the shot with any certainty) as Jim was working with Albert in the Universal matte department at the time.<br /><br />PeterNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-10990199770818796792014-07-16T12:31:35.299+12:002014-07-16T12:31:35.299+12:00Hi Joe
Thanks for that, and also for promoting th...Hi Joe<br /><br />Thanks for that, and also for promoting the blog on Cinefex, though I was hoping the Cinefex 'header' would have mentioned that these Hitchcock mattes were being displayed in high resolution from BluRay's for the first time ever. Those wonderful frame grabs show Whitlock's skill and instinctive 'eye' as never seen before.<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-82844046291494531992014-07-16T04:29:37.827+12:002014-07-16T04:29:37.827+12:00Fantastic work, Pete.
I have always had a soft s...Fantastic work, Pete. <br /><br />I have always had a soft spot for Hitch's films, especially "The Birds" and "Marnie" which both haunted me as a boy. The matte work was a big part of that dreamlike effect, I suspect, although the effect was subliminal to a young lad, and to a degree effects me the same way. Some of his early British films also contain some lovely 'trick shots' -- pardon me, I forget if you've covered those. Keep up the great work. <br /><br />And thanks, too, to the reader for the shout-out about my "Skyfall" Cinefex story. You're correct, Mr. Begg brings a deep love of the history of filmmaking to his work, ad it's always a pleasure to cover his work.<br /><br />JoeJoe Fordhamhttp://www.flashfilms.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-4409590107131411162014-07-16T02:10:31.786+12:002014-07-16T02:10:31.786+12:00amazing jaw dropping matte work, amazing jaw dropping matte work, Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08231743979599886282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-79859354344223674092014-07-05T13:08:18.487+12:002014-07-05T13:08:18.487+12:00Hi Richard
Thanks for that. I always enjoy your ...Hi Richard<br /><br />Thanks for that. I always enjoy your communications and those occasional and exciting email attachments with rare matte art pictures. It's gratifying indeed that a matte painter from the twilight years of the traditional era such as yourself is so passionate about this important stuff.<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-65191134614923529402014-07-05T01:16:54.280+12:002014-07-05T01:16:54.280+12:00Fantastic entry on the maestro Whitlock, thank you...Fantastic entry on the maestro Whitlock, thank you Pete! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10871186139606125160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-72382980159482145982014-07-02T12:46:43.429+12:002014-07-02T12:46:43.429+12:00Thanks so much David...I'm always delighted wh...Thanks so much David...I'm always delighted when folk like you drop me a line to affirm these blog posts. There must be at least a dozen of us around the globe who read this blog and love old time FX shots!! ;)<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-85474750489530103762014-07-02T12:44:48.860+12:002014-07-02T12:44:48.860+12:00Hi Steve
I've got the European edition (from ...Hi Steve<br /><br />I've got the European edition (from Germany) and it looks just swell. Typically the only problematic mattes in some of these tend to be those which were part of a lap dissolve optical in the original film. I've been busy grabbing tons more BluRay mattes from many other films too, with shows such as BEN HUR, EARTHQUAKE, GWTW, GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD and other Hitchcock shows too which look sensational. SABOTEUR (my fave) has 'unlocked' several new mattes I'd never spotted before, in places you'd never expect!! <br />Interestingly, some modern shows mattes like GHOSTBUSTERS look quite 'dull', and I wasn't too impressed with MARY POPPINS, sadly, with Ellenshaw's work looking very 'flat' and washed out.<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-24474232275603827542014-07-02T11:39:13.643+12:002014-07-02T11:39:13.643+12:00Which blu ray version of Marnie did you use - on t...Which blu ray version of Marnie did you use - on the American blu ray there is a very heavy grain on most of the film yet your images are nice and clear ? Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-66290993638705471802014-07-02T03:10:53.510+12:002014-07-02T03:10:53.510+12:00Beautiful work as always Pete! Beautiful work as always Pete! David Bjerrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08187913093957441894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-39601765846962415612014-07-01T12:30:14.233+12:002014-07-01T12:30:14.233+12:00Hi Willem
It's great to get positive feedback...Hi Willem<br /><br />It's great to get positive feedback, as I sometimes wonder who, if in fact if anybody else, ever bothers with these 'old fashioned tricks' that I love so much. Do spread the word among those of similar interests.<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-20061043961592911982014-07-01T12:27:43.985+12:002014-07-01T12:27:43.985+12:00Hi Bert
You are more than welcome my friend.... t...Hi Bert<br /><br />You are more than welcome my friend.... though BEWARE... if I find out that you (or any of my readers) only look over my blog on a bloody "smartphone" sized device(!!!!) I shall officially excommunicate you from the glorious world of traditional matte art appreciation ;)<br />A proper sized computer screen is mandatory!!! <br /><br />Best<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-30863770383523148422014-07-01T12:25:17.781+12:002014-07-01T12:25:17.781+12:00Thank you my friend... I always appreciate your em...Thank you my friend... I always appreciate your emails and your numerous shared old time matte images. Your own blog is looking great by the way, with some fascinating and rare Mexican matte shots uploaded, though I wish I didn't have to wait so long for each new 'edition'.<br />Keep up the good work.<br /><br />PeteNZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-85299920457119373062014-07-01T12:22:30.142+12:002014-07-01T12:22:30.142+12:00Hi Scott
Appreciate the comment and feedback. No...Hi Scott<br /><br />Appreciate the comment and feedback. Not all subjects can be covered in a few paragraphs and a dozen pics though. I utterly despise the 'Facebook/Twitter' notion of 180 characters and a stupid 'selfie', or links on the web which amount to 'zero' with nothing of any substance to say. Of course some of the big career profiles just need a huge write up, especially when I'm covering someone like last months Irmin Roberts who had done so damned much (and even that was abbreviated).<br /><br />Re: SKYFALL, it comes as no surprise, as the effects supervisor, Steve Begg (a reader and supporter of this very blog) started off his FX career as a matte painter in the traditional era under Cliff Culley.<br /><br />Traditional mattes are making a small comeback. The multi talented UK FX man and matte artist Leigh Took recently told me he had been approached to paint 'real' glass shots for an upcoming British film - something he said he's just thrilled to get back into.<br />Watch this space!<br /><br />Pete<br />NZPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13863364769084676156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-68825424213888026742014-07-01T08:59:35.158+12:002014-07-01T08:59:35.158+12:00Honestly, I prefer a smaller, focused blog than so...Honestly, I prefer a smaller, focused blog than something that's going to take me a while to read (not that it's never worth it!).<br /><br />I was reading a Cinefex article about how they did the effects for Skyfall, particulary adding a roof which they hadn't built onto Skyfall Lodge, and I think today's guys are definitely looking at these older movies for inspiration. The technology may have changed but the artistry behind it - the subtle details that make a shot believable - I believe have not.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08386994667271422293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-65014640145305703182014-07-01T08:20:51.295+12:002014-07-01T08:20:51.295+12:00dear Pete....i have no words for this. your page u...dear Pete....i have no words for this. your page updates are epic every time agin....glorious...thanks so much,Willem...Holland,Europe..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-66928306491859923442014-07-01T06:12:35.367+12:002014-07-01T06:12:35.367+12:00Great article Pete, thanks!!Great article Pete, thanks!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16252440354464737191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063592677187148799.post-568494303014469112014-07-01T05:36:31.197+12:002014-07-01T05:36:31.197+12:00Great article!! , Thanks Peter for sharing all th...Great article!! , Thanks Peter for sharing all those magnificent pictures. The detail images are truly inspiring. I have discovered some new Whitlock mattes here, which is always a thrill. Domingohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08473246714098050077noreply@blogger.com