Twister

 The visual effects in the 1996 film "Twister" remain impressive even today, showcasing a blend of practical and computer-generated effects. Director Jan de Bont was dedicated to capturing as much realism as possible with in-camera effects, which added an authentic touch to the movie.

When "Twister" was in its planning stages, many were skeptical about the feasibility of its ambitious special effects. The film required innovative hardware and software tailored specifically for its needs. The movie's approval wasn't based on its script, cast, or director but on a compelling test shot of a car being pummeled by a storm. This scene was so convincingly realistic that it convinced studio executives to greenlight the project. De Bont recalled in an interview how the test shot, showing debris striking a windshield, left the studio executives in awe, securing the film's production.

De Bont's commitment to authenticity meant that the actors often performed their own stunts. One notable scene features Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton in a hailstorm created by two massive trucks with wind machines launching ice cubes at them. De Bont emphasized the importance of realism, even if it meant the actors faced potential injuries from the varied sizes of ice pellets. Bill Paxton, for instance, experienced a particularly painful moment when he was struck on the head by a large piece of hail.

The film's special effects team also employed dramatic real-world stunts, such as dropping combines from helicopters as the actors drove by. These practical effects elicited genuine reactions from the cast, enhancing the movie's realism. De Bont insisted on these practical stunts, believing they produced the most authentic responses from the actors. The sight of heavy machinery falling from the sky and narrowly missing the actors created an intense, believable atmosphere that CGI alone couldn't replicate.

Another memorable scene involved the actors driving through a towering cornfield, where they had to leap from moving vehicles. De Bont preferred capturing the actors' faces and reactions rather than using stunt doubles. This approach added to the film's authenticity, as the actors' responses to the chaos around them were genuine.

Throughout the movie, the actors' reactions were natural, especially during scenes where powerful jet engines mounted on trucks simulated windstorms. The force of the wind and flying debris prompted instinctive responses, which de Bont valued for their authenticity. He noted that these real reactions from the actors made the scenes more compelling and believable.