This prequel to the 1939’s "The Wizard of Oz" stars James Franco and contains 1,500 visual-effects shots among the film's total of 1,800 shots. Computer-generated components, seven months of blue-screen shooting on Michigan soundstages and enhancements for the 3-D cinematography were all used extensively. A sampling of the visual effects follows:

• a hot-air balloon tossed about in a tornado
• Finley the Flying Monkey's enormously expressive face
• people floating in Glinda’s magic bubbles
• scenes highlighted with massive fog and smoke
  
• a nasty fight between two of the witches
• ruins of a Chinatown, made of china not from China, where we find an animated china doll living among broken teapots and dishes
• a dazzling Emerald City, from its gates and throne room to an alley and aerial views

Debbie Denise is executive vice president of production at the Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation studio Sony Pictures Imageworks, which Disney hired for the film. Considered one of the country's most experienced visual-effects production executives, Denise oversees production of all the company's films, which have included  "Harry Potter," "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "Men In Black 3." She is particularly an expert on 3-D Stereoscopic Production.

Jessica Peel-Scott, who landed in L.A. from Kansas without a tornado, was one of two assistant designers considered "key collaborators" for two head costume designers. The small group spent weeks researching fashion trends from various periods to develop the movie's designs.

Overall, the team oversaw a staff of 60 costumers, seamstresses and textile artists to clothe Emerald City citizens, workers and attendees at a traveling circus, 36 Munchkins (who averaged 3 foot-6) and 48 Winkies (Emerald City guards, who averaged 7-feet tall and wore feathered hats to add another 20 inches).

Peel-Scott has also worked on "Spider-Man 2" and "Second Hand Lions."

The entertainment trade publication Variety announced that Disney had approved plans for a sequel film.

LINKS

• View visual-effects photos below.  
  
• View costume designs, creations at bottom.
• See all of Debbie Denise's credits. 
  
• Read more about Denise on her website.
  
• See all of Jessica Peel-Scott's credits.