Mellotronists

In a message dated 3/24/2007 11:23:56 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
jkorb@... writes:

Greetings Colin and Gang,    One of most interesting SFX was  the 
"death-ray" used by the Martians in 1953 sci-fi classic "War Of   The 
Worlds." 
So good the sound was, that Paramount used the effect 13  years later for 
Star-Trek's photon torpedoes.  
I believe that sound was created by hitting a steel guy-wire for a huge  
vertical antenna. ....somewhere.vertical antenna. ....somewhere.<WBR>.... Was 
then 
early reverb or delay .    The Harry  Chamberlin era......  
Cheers, -- Jerry Korb (can only do the classic beer-belch,  Bwwwaaaa!  ) 


 
According to SFX guru Ben Burtt, the guy wire sound was used for  the Star 
Wars blasters, and the Martian heat ray SFX was a processed electric  guitar 
(the ray itself was a fan-directed acetelyne torch).  This  information is on the 
DVD versions of those respective (and  respectable) movies.
 
Frank 1



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