Since its emergence 1890's, the motion picture industry has always been preoccupied with illusions. From the invention of the camera itself, through the introduction of sound, technology has been an integral part of this art form. Some of the early special effects include miniature models and back projection, with later additions of optical effects such as lenses or chemical processes. The invention of the computers has brought a whole new range of possibilities to the industry, and has grown from limited special effect shots to movies that are entirely digital. Space travel films have always been a special challenge to filmmakers, and consequently are the generators of the majority of inventions in this field.

filming advances due to computer technology