How Do the Movies Do It Have you ever seen movies in which a building was burned down or a bridge was destroyed Have you seen films in which a train crashed or a ship sank into the ocean If so, you may have wondered how these things could happen without (1) ______ the people in the film. 1.______ The man who knows the answer is the "special-effects" man. He may be ordered to (2)______any kind of special effect, from a flood 2.______ or a battlefield explosion to an effect much less exciting in a film. For instance, in a scene there was a big glass bowl filled with water in which small fish were swimming. The (3) ______ of the movie 3.______ wanted the fish to stop swimming suddenly while seemed to stare at an actor, and then to stop (4) ______ and swim away. But fish can’t be 4.______ ordered to do anything. The special-effects man solved this problem by (5) ______ the fish with a harmless use of electricity. First he applied 5.______ electricity to the fish bowl causing the fish to be absolutely still. Then he rapidly (6) ______ the amount of electricity allowing the fish 6.______ to swim away. Thus the humorous effect was achieved. When explosives are used, as in battlefield scenes, special-effects men usually receive extra pay, for there is (7)______, and sometimes 7.______ there are accidents. For a large battlefield scene the special-effects man talks with the director, (8) ______ the area and plans the effects 8.______ several days before the filming is to begin. He then places his explosives. In general, being a special-effect man requires (9) ______, 9.______ skill and experience. It also adds a great deal to the expense of producing the film. It helps explain why so many movies are very (10) ______ to make. 10.______