Creating a modern classic visual effect

While much of the traditional terminology of visual effects survives, the role of computers has transformed the way in which filmmakers are able to realize their vision. To support these filmmakers, effects teams must understand both how visual effects have been created in the past and how to develop software to deliver them in the modern context. The assignment we present here is designed to be part of a computing programme that provides an opportunity for students to develop such software in a near realistic setting. We do this by asking the students to work in small groups to replicate a classic visual effect that was originally created in camera.