Praxis effect
Encyclopedia
The Praxis effect is a special effect commonly used in science-fiction movies and other visual media.
The effect is most commonly seen following the explosion of a large object in space — a ring or disc of matter expanding out from the destroyed object. The first acknowledged use of the effect was in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
; the over-mined Klingon
moon of Praxis (after which the effect was named) explodes and throws a ring-like shock wave through space, precipitating the events of the film.
Astronomer Philip Plait
has described the explosion and resultant shock wave as "the most dramatic effect ever filmed", but states that in reality it would be more likely for such an explosion to generate a spherical shock wave. He finds the effect to be more plausible when appearing in the Special Edition of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
during the explosion of the Death Star
, as an explosion travelling from the core of the space station would reach the equatorial trench before the surface of the station and find no resistance at this point. Unfortunately the Praxis effect was perpendicular to the trench in this shot, instead of on the same latitude. However, when the Second Death Star explodes at the end of the Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
, the Praxis effect is on the same latitude as the equatorial trench.
The shock waves in all three above mentioned films were created by Industrial Light and Magic
through computer animation.
A similar explosion with a horizontal shockwave is seen near the end of the 1994 film Stargate
, when Ra's starship is destroyed by a Nuclear bomb
.
A similar effect is being used during the 2011 Monday Night Football Hank Williams, Jr. Music video.
The effect is most commonly seen following the explosion of a large object in space — a ring or disc of matter expanding out from the destroyed object. The first acknowledged use of the effect was in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is the sixth feature film in the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the last of the Star Trek films to include the entire main cast of the 1960s Star Trek television series. Released in 1991 by Paramount Pictures, it was directed by Nicholas Meyer and...
; the over-mined Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
moon of Praxis (after which the effect was named) explodes and throws a ring-like shock wave through space, precipitating the events of the film.
Astronomer Philip Plait
Philip Plait
Philip Cary Plait is an American astronomer and skeptic who runs the website BadAstronomy.com. He formerly worked at the physics and astronomy department at Sonoma State University. In early 2007, he resigned from his job to write Death from the Skies. On August 4, 2008, he became President of the...
has described the explosion and resultant shock wave as "the most dramatic effect ever filmed", but states that in reality it would be more likely for such an explosion to generate a spherical shock wave. He finds the effect to be more plausible when appearing in the Special Edition of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
during the explosion of the Death Star
Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional moon-sized space station and superweapon appearing in the Star Wars movies and expanded universe. It is capable of destroying a planet with a single destructive super charged energy beam.-Origin and design:...
, as an explosion travelling from the core of the space station would reach the equatorial trench before the surface of the station and find no resistance at this point. Unfortunately the Praxis effect was perpendicular to the trench in this shot, instead of on the same latitude. However, when the Second Death Star explodes at the end of the Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth in terms of the series' internal chronology...
, the Praxis effect is on the same latitude as the equatorial trench.
The shock waves in all three above mentioned films were created by Industrial Light and Magic
Industrial Light and Magic
Industrial Light & Magic is an Academy Award-winning motion picture visual effects company that was founded in May 1975 by George Lucas and is owned by Lucasfilm. Lucas created the company when he discovered that the special effects department at 20th Century Fox was shut down after he was given...
through computer animation.
A similar explosion with a horizontal shockwave is seen near the end of the 1994 film Stargate
Stargate (film)
Stargate is a 1994 American adventure-military science fiction film released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Carolco Pictures. Created by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, the film is the first release in the Stargate franchise...
, when Ra's starship is destroyed by a Nuclear bomb
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
.
A similar effect is being used during the 2011 Monday Night Football Hank Williams, Jr. Music video.