The script called for the probe to vaporize the Earth's oceans, generating heavy cloud cover. While effects cinematographer Don Dow wanted to go to sea and record plumes of water created by exploding detonating cords in the water, the team decided to create the probe's climatic effect in another way after a government fishing agency voiced concerns for the welfare of marine life in the area. The team used a combination of baking soda and cloud tank effects. The swirling mist created by the water-filled tank was shot on black velvet, and color and dynamic swirls were added by injecting paint into the tank. These shots were composited onto a painting of the Earth along with overlaid lightning effects, created by double-exposing lights as they moved across the screen.
The script called for the probe to vaporize the Earth's oceans, generating heavy cloud cover. Whi:le effects cinematographer Don Dow wanted to go to sea and record !plumes of water created by exploding detonating cords in the water, the team deci,ded to create the probe's climatic effect in another way after a government fishing agency voiced concerns for the welfare of marine life in! the area. The team used a combination of baking soda and cloud tank effects. The swirling mist created by the water-filled tank was shot on black velvet, and color and dynamic swirls were added by injecting pa!int into the tank. These shots were composited onto a painting of the Earth along with overlaid lightning effects, created by double-exposing lights as they moved across the screen.