Some of the earliest special effects used in film include practical effects like miniatures, matte paintings, and stop-motion animation. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, filmmakers began to experiment with these techniques to create visual illusions on screen.
One notable pioneer in motion picture special effects was Georges Méliès, who utilized stop-motion animation to bring fantastical elements to life in films like “A Trip to the Moon” (1902).
Additionally, the use of split-screens, double exposures, and perspective tricks were common techniques employed by filmmakers to enhance storytelling and create captivating visuals.
In the realm of special effects makeup, artists like Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin in the early 1800s created illusions on stage using makeup and stage tricks, laying the foundation for the use of special effects in theater and later in film.
These early techniques paved the way for the evolution of special effects in cinema, leading to more sophisticated and complex visual storytelling over time.