How’d They Do That?

How’d They Do That? is a monthly column in which Meg Shields unpacks moments of movie magic and celebrates the technical wizards who pulled them off.

If you’re new to reading this column, we suggest starting with these entries:

Explore the entire How’d They Do That? archive below

Deliverance Waterfall Burt Reynolds

Man vs Waterfall: The ‘Deliverance’ Stunt That Broke Burt Reynolds

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“Insurance? I don’t believe in insurance.”

The Devils Rain Corbis

How They Shot The Melting Effects in ‘The Devil’s Rain’

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The weather’s calling for a 100% chance of … the Devil’s Rain!

Das Boot Flooding Submarine

In the Belly of the Beast: How They Shot ‘Das Boot’

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“Mildew is good for you. It’s the next best thing to fresh lettuce. Be thankful for what grows down here.”

The Grand Budapest Hotel Bokeh

The Casual Film Lover’s Guide to the Bokeh Effect

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If it ain’t bokeh don’t fix it.

Sh The Octopus Transformation

How They Shot That Transformation Scene in ‘Sh! The Octopus’

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From a harmless old woman to a gnarled, blotchy sea hag in the blink of an eye!

Jeopardy Shot in The Gold Rush (1925)

From Painted Glass to Green Screens: The Jeopardy Shot Explained

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Let’s talk about the glass shot. (No, not the kind you pour tequila into).

Trong Glowing Costume David Warner

How They Made the Glowing Costumes in the Original ‘Tron’

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As Flynn says, on the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy.

Movie Snow

How They Make Fake Snow for Movies

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There’s snow business like show business.

Bullet Time Matrix

How They Shot the “Bullet-Time” Effect in ‘The Matrix’

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Turns out to “dodge this” you need roughly 120 cameras.