By Dawn's Early Light

By Dawn's Early Light, produced in the 1980's, was the last of the "What if the weapons get loose" cold war suspense thrillers released before the fall of the Soviet Union. For their contribution to the movie, Matte World Digital created visual effects depicting various military aircraft in flight using miniatures and matte painting techniques. The staff at MWD received Emmy's for best visual effects.

The E-4 Presidential command post flies over Utah at night. A modified, miniature 747 was photographed on the MWD stages with created backgrounds using matte painting techniques.

Craig Barron makes adjustments to the "looking glass plane" just before photography depicting the E-4's collision sequence.

The pilot's point of view as he is about to collide with the E-4.

[MWD]

High speed photography of a Russian MIG-25 as it flies through frame.
[MWD]

A pyro explosion destroys the MIG as a B-52 Gunner hits his mark.