MOVIE
How did ‘Oppenheimer’ achieve a zero CG nuclear explosion?
The 'Trinity Experiment' scene, humanity's first nuclear explosion test, is by far the most famous scene in 'Oppenheimer'. Director Christopher Nolan's amazing directing skills and overwhelming sense of scale, which make you feel as if you are inside an actual nuclear explosion scene, are the factors that encourage the Nth viewing of 'Oppenheimer'. This famous scene originated from the hands of director Christopher Nolan, a magician of plot. Director Nolan revealed the story behind the nuclear explosion scene, saying, "I knew that computer graphics would never be able to give the same threatening feeling as in real life," and "I looked for an analog method to create a terrifying yet beautiful scene."
The ‘Trinity Experiment’ scene was directed with top production crews, including cinematographer Hoyt van Hoytema, special effects director Scott Fisher, and visual effects director Andrew Jackson, who worked together on works such as ‘Interstellar’, ‘Tenet’, and ‘Dunkirk’. In this work, unusual materials were used.
Directors Andrew Jackson and Scott Fisher repeatedly experimented with breaking ping-pong balls, spraying paint on walls, and creating luminous magnesium solutions, and captured them on camera at various frame rates. In response, director Hoyt van Hoytema expressed his feelings, saying, “The entire team worked on one huge scientific project.” Director Christopher Nolan also expressed his love and confidence in the famous 'Zero CG nuclear explosion scene' in the work, saying, "From the beginning, the Trinity experiment was one of the most important things we had to do."
'Oppenheimer' is a work about the nuclear development project of a genius scientist who must take the risk of destroying the world in order to save it, and is currently showing in theaters nationwide.
Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr
