By studying the workflow used to create the black hole, Gargantua, in Interstellar, artists can understand how to simulate complex astronomical phenomena in other special effects software such as Houdini. This workflow utilizes a balance between scientific realism and artistic interpretation of astronomical phenomena such that simulations can maximize their success in film. Through significant amounts of research and study, the artists at Double Negative generated a scientifically realistic black hole in shape and physical behavior, but made creative decisions when shading and lighting their simulation. I find that DNeg’s workflow integrates well when using Houdini technology. I follow their workflow to generate a series of spiral galaxies in Houdini and find how Houdini’s node network layout allows artists to incorporate both scientific realism and creative approaches to a simulation. A strong understanding of the mechanics of the simulated astronomical event scientifically informs the look and shape of a production, while Houdini’s node network layout makes it easy for special effects artists to manipulate simulations to their own artistic interpretation of astronomical phenomena.

Coelophysis (see-luh-fai-suhs) was an early theropod dinosaur that lived during the Triassic Period over 200 million years ago. Coelophysis has often been depicted as a creature that was scaly and lizard-like in appearance. However, recent paleontological evidence paints a different picture of this early dinosaur. This sculptural rendition of Coelophysis includes round pupils, feathered insulation, and even varied color patterns, all based on possibilities generated from current scientific findings. This hypothetical model was created to stretch popular assumptions about the appearance of early dinosaurs.