In this episode of the Fable House Podcast, we sit down with Donnie from Spectrum FX, a special effects professional from Slidell, Louisiana, to talk about the incredible practical effects behind the film Sinners.
Donnie shares behind-the-scenes stories about creating massive practical effects for the movie, including a 60-foot fire tornado, burning a full-scale roof over IMAX cameras, and the extensive testing required to make these sequences both safe and cinematic.
We also discuss working with director Ryan Coogler, the collaboration between practical effects and digital VFX teams, and how the Spectrum FX team approached building believable large-scale effects grounded in reality.
The conversation also explores the Oscar campaign and nomination journey surrounding the film and what it was like for the team to suddenly find themselves competing for an Academy Award after years of work behind the scenes.
If you're interested in filmmaking, visual effects, practical effects, or behind-the-scenes movie production, this episode offers a rare look into the craft that makes movie magic possible.
The Fable House Podcast features in-depth conversations with filmmakers, musicians, and entertainment professionals to uncover stories you won’t find anywhere else online.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
2:02 – Working with Ryan Coogler
4:00 – Script secrecy & test screenings on Sinners
6:00 – Burning a real roof over IMAX cameras
8:00 – Why testing special effects matters
11:02 – Creating the 60-ft fire tornado
12:12 – Practical effects vs VFX
13:08 – Shooting Sinners on IMAX film
15:20 – Explaining the VFX during the Oscar campaign
#sinnersmovie #oscars #visualeffects
#specialeffects #ryancoogler #filmmaking
#behindthescenes #podcast #imax
#fablehousepodcast
