Have you ever read a book about Clifford the Big Red Dog? Now Clifford is a movie star! Scholastic News spoke to Blair Clark to learn about how he and his team helped create the movie Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Scholastic News: What are visual effects?
Blair Clark: Visual effects are used to get images into a film that aren’t in real life. It could be something that doesn’t exist—like a huge red dog! The main tool we use is computer-generated imagery, or CGI.
SN: Why was your visual effects job on the movie so important?
BC: We had to make Clifford look and act like a real dog, especially when he was with the actors. It was also important to keep him sweet and similar to what the readers of Norman Bridwell’s books were used to.
SN: How much did you observe real dogs?
BC: Quite a bit! We watched videos of dogs to copy the way they move and act. We also studied how puppies play and jump around.
SN: Do you have advice for kids who want a job like yours?
BC: Go to museums. Read books. Draw your ideas. Have fun taking pictures or making short movies. Don’t get discouraged!
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed.