Optical effect

Optical effects is a sub-category of special effects for film in which film images are manipulated through optical processes using film, light, shadow, lenses and/or chemical processes. Examples are film titles, fades, dissolves, wipes, blow ups, bluescreen, composites, and double exposures. The effects are usually done in post-production with an optical printer, although some, such us fades and double exposures, can be done as in-camera effects but with much less precision.

The term optical effects has largely been replaced by visual effects as most of the effects are now done digitally on computer with editing software or computer generated imagery instead of directly on the film.

Notable uses of optical effects

• The Ten Commandments (1956)
• Star Trek (TV-Series 1966-1969)
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
• Star Wars (1978)