Ultra Cheap Movie Tricks and Practical Effects

This is possibly my favorite of all the videos here so far, because it shows that practical effects can be just as effective as CG, and don't have to cost a ton either. So many very clever uses of common everyday things, mixed with an exposé of some of your incredible miniatures and artwork.

Incredible. I prefer the 80s-90s special effects more than cgi. They just give more character and authenticity. Fantastic work

Some of the shots achieved here are just unbelievable when you consider how they were done. I love the simple trick of the camera tripods used as guns. I never noticed! So clever: it's their overall silhouette and the way the actors are carrying them that does the trick. The "jungle scene" done outside the apartment complex is mind-blowing.... Brilliant work!

These effects are honestly unbelievable. All of this magic has been removed from filmmaking. We need it back.

Markus, wow, it's unbelievable how you have retained that wide-eyed exuberance and enthusiasm that you had in over 35 years ago! It's mind boggling what you have done, and still do, and how you do it.

This is the reason why I love watching low budget/B Movies. The ingenuity and creativity that goes into those kinds of Movies is unbelievable.

As an amateur filmmaker with zero budget but huge ambitions, I thank you for inspiring and giving me lots of new ideas on how to get around my complete impossibility to mage CGI. Using mirrors to increase the room length is mind-blowing yet simple.

This is insane. I haven't come up across this channel before, but this is such great insight into what you can do with what little you can have. As an amateur "filmmaker," this is invaluable information to me

Markus I write you this from the bottom of my heart ! The biggest giveaway you offered us, is you existing and sharing your content. I really wish one day I will have the chance to meet you. Thank you, and thank your amazing muse for everything !

Just hearing the mention of Sega, wow that company was once massive, yet now it's barely mentioned. The 2000's were some very dark days for the company

This feels so much like a magician explaining his tricks only this doesn’t spoil the magic, it tickles the imagination!

Practical effects will always have a special place in my heart.

It is all so simple. Anybody could do that! But of course, the opposite is true. The mock-ups he shows us are really amazing and Markus has quite clearly a very special artistic talent for painting back-drops and building models coupled with infinite ingenuity. He almost certainly had to produce many of his solutions within much too short time frames given by the specific production deadlines. From this particular video – and several others – I have come to the conclusion that he has always had a very special relationship to light-stands. It seems they have been playing all sorts of unusual supporting roles to him throughout his whole professional life. I guess, that if Markus should ever come in need of a tombstone – may this never be the case – a light-stand would be a much more appropriate decoration standing proudly in memoriam between the flowers. 😁

What a wonderful life Markus - thank you for sharing a part of your story. AND for it not being interrupted constantly with ads. You truly are an incredibly skilled and talented artist.

I remember watching that programs as a kid. That was you!? You're one of the reasons why I got into CGI work.

Pure gold right here….dance on that edge baby!

Just wanted to tell you that you've peaked the interest I had to make a movie. It's a lot of work but when it's all done I can be proud that I got my butt off the couch and did something constructive that will bring smiles to countless people for eons. Shame you can't hear the music score I am hearing for this comment. It's awesome...

In other words, as awesome as you already think Markus is he is even more awesome than that! Would love to see more of your artwork. Do you have an online gallery?

"All you need is creativity and inspiration" You're my man, yes & yeah, that's the way... and thx 4 this nice inside footage of your work!

This entire video is such a fantastic example of what is meant by the phrase "simplicity is the cornerstone of brilliance." Imagine trying to import massive carved rocks and trying to attach them to your ceiling like a cave. That would be insanity, not to mention potentially dangerous. Coming up with a decent alternative would be very hard if you lack creativity, but coming up with a simple and decent alternative without a high degree of creativity would just be out of the question. Crumbling up a big piece of colored paper and sticking it to the ceiling with push pins gives essentislly the same look, but it's ludicrously simple. Absolutely and genuinely brilliant. Oldschool practical effects just blow my mind, and this is one of the greatest collections I've ever seen.