Stranger Things behind-the-scenes videos turn fans' assumptions Upside Down

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Stranger Things 5 required a lot of VFX work, but fans have been surprised to see just how much CGI was used in scenes that they thought looked highly realistic.

Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects studio founded by George Lucas, has released a series of 'Behind the Magic' breakdowns showing some of their work on the hit Netflix series. As some fans have commented on the videos, the VFX sometimes feel like the Upside Down itself. “When we think it's CGI, it's not CGI. When we think it's practical FX, it's not practical FX,” one fan writes.

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Behind The Magic | Stranger Things | Melting Room - YouTube Behind The Magic | Stranger Things | Melting Room - YouTube
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As usual, ILM isn't giving much away in its short behind-the-scenes videos. There's no narration or explanation of how it created the visuals for the different scenes. However, it does peel back the layers of effects to give an insight into how much digital work was involved.

ILM's also posted Stranger Things 5 VFX teardowns focusing on the work it did on the demogorgons, the monster flesh wall and exotic matter, the unstable energy source holding the Upside Down open (see below).

Behind The Magic | Stranger Things | Exotic Matter - YouTube Behind The Magic | Stranger Things | Exotic Matter - YouTube
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Behind The Magic | Stranger Things | The Wall - YouTube Behind The Magic | Stranger Things | The Wall - YouTube
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Behind the Magic | Stranger Things | Demogorgons - YouTube Behind the Magic | Stranger Things | Demogorgons - YouTube
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For more visual effects inspiration, check out our interview about the Naked Gun VFX

and our roundup of resources for VFX artists.

Joe Foley
Freelance journalist and editor

Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news, features and buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment and software for creatives, from video editing programs to monitors and accessories. A veteran news writer and photographer, he now works as a project manager at the London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives. There he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing visual content and design assets for the hospitality sector. He also dances Argentine tango.

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