Beijing Pulled Fireworks Fake Out

Marching 'footprints' in the sky were computer effect
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 11, 2008 4:11 AM CDT
Beijing Pulled Fireworks Fake Out
Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics over the National Stadium in Beijing.    (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

One of the most spectacular elements of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was actually a special effect created for television viewers around the world. Giant marching aerial footprints outlined by fireworks were created by sophisticated computer graphics digitally inserted into the live coverage, reports the Daily Telegraph.

 All 29 steps were actually formed with fireworks, but the 55-second sequence effect was created because it would have been too difficult to use cameras to capture them all. "We could not put the helicopter pilot at risk by making him try to follow the fireworks route," said an advisor to the Olympic Committee. (More 2008 Beijing Olympics stories.)

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