The visual effect known as Bullet-Time was first introduced by the Wachoski brothers in the 1999 film The Matrix. The acclaimed effect was made famous when Neo bent backwards in slow motion, to dodge the agents’ bullet. Bullet-Time is characterized by its extreme transformation of time and space. A conventional camera would not be able to capture the action, however, with today’s great advancement in technology this effect might have not been possible. The Bullet-Time effect was originally achieved photographically by a set of still cameras that would surround the subject. In The Matrix, in order to capture Neo’s movements, a camera path had to be pre-designed. The camera path was then arranged behind a green-screen and aligned through an elaborate laser system that allowed the camera to capture an intricate curve through space. Then, the cameras were then triggered one by one at very close intervals capturing the action along the path. As a result, this created multiple viewpoints from each of the individual cameras as it moved through space. Next, each frame was then scanned and processed through a computer using interpolation software. This software was vital in allowing animators to add extra frames (speed or slow down frames) to the action shot to improve the fluidity of the movement. With the use of CGI (computer-generated images) scenes could now be seamless. This is just one of the many ways the effect can be achieved, however, this method makes the action flawless. Other names Bullet-Time is referred to are time slicing, view morphing, slo mo, temps mort and virtual cinematography.
One of the earliest pioneers of photography that assisted in many cinema achievements throughout the years was Eadweard Muybridge. Without Muybridge’s photographic techniques many visual effects, including Bullet-Time might of have not been created. Muybridge used multiple cameras to capture movements, such as galloping animals and humans in action. Muybridge once used still cameras along a racetrack to capture a galloping horse. This was part of a bet that Muybridge made with the governor of California to see if the horse’s legs would ever completely leave the ground. As the horse ran by, strings were attached to the cameras and were pulled. As a result, the cameras captured the image as the action occurred. Moreover, Muybridge’s unique techniques in photography paved the way for Thomas Edison’s moving pictures. The Bullet-Time technique had quite an impact on multiply mediums and popular culture. For example, in video games Bullet-Time was used to demonstrate to gamers that a “power-up” or “special” was ready for use. Once activated, the “power-up” or “special” would slow down time and allow the gamer to take control of game play. For instance, in the video game Gun as soon as the player reached a “special”, one could slow down bullets and dodge the enemies’ attacks. This effect is a great example of how Bullet-Time was used throughout video games. Bullet-Time has also made its way to the small screen as well. In an episode of Angel, Angel’s son Connor comes out of a portal and attempts to kill his father, which, depicts the similar Matrix scene of the dodging bullets, the only difference is that it was replaced with axes and stakes. In popular culture, for the most part, Bullet-Time has been used to mock the special effect. Many television shows and movies since its debut in The Matrix has one time or another been used to provide humor to a serious scene. Its use in popular culture has been the opposite of its original intention, however, most things that become popular usually do so. In sum, the Bullet-Time technique has innovated the entertainment industry ever since it’s debut. Its use of multiply cameras and CGI has propelled the entertainment industry to try and create new effects. Nonetheless, Bullet-Time will go down in special effects history.