Tom A's Level 3 Media Blog [PROJECT 1]: Matte Painting Special FX Research

Matte Painting is a process used in film making and Television Programme Creation. It involves the unique technique of combining two or more image elements to create the desired effect, doing this the user can usually create different scenes or dramatically change a scenes look. Mattes could range from a small portion of the camera shot to covering the whole canvas, this means the user can change small amounts within a shot or drastically change the whole outlook of a shot.

Concept of Matte Painting, General Example

Matte Screening is a classic Film Making Special Effect, dating back to the Lumière brothers generation of Film Making. Matte Screening was used from as early as the 1880's using in camera cut outs. Classic Matte Screening would often literally involve placing a cut out of an object in camera whilst filming. Cut outs were often made of glass and many other materials. A good early example is The Great Train Robbery in 1903 where it was used to place a train outside a window in a ticket office. And later a moving luggage cart. From then on the technique has been developed and we can see it being used recently in the 1980'sin Young Sherlock Holmes.

A great example of the use of matte Painting in a film would be Raiders of The Lost Ark, which was produced in 1981. It painting was famous for being tremendous and unlike most of the Paintings of its time was held on screen for a considerable amount of time. It worked because it created a very atmospheric effect that could not be duplicated through standard film. The Matte Painting featured a 'Blocked in' look which created a Grand Result from a huge Talent. As demonstrated through the picture below. The top being the original take with post production work done, and the bottom being the final take with Matte painting featured.