A Change of Pace

Vis-a-vis the tragedy in Texas over the weekend and all the back and forth over the Big Beautiful Bill I thought it time for a change of pace and decided to write about something I’ve always found fascinating – making movies.  Have you ever found yourself watching a movie and wondering how they pulled it off? I do—and as an amateur photographer I can’t help but notice lighting, angles, shadows, and those little “glitches” that sneak into even the most polished films. Today, I’m taking a step back from the screen to explore the fascinating backstories behind two of my all-time favorites: Field of Dreams and Apollo 13.

Field of Dreams – The Haunting Beauty of Headlights

The unforgettable final scene of Field of Dreams—a line of cars stretching into the distance, headlights glowing in the dusk—is cinematic magic. But creating that ethereal image took more than just good lighting.

Filmed near Dyersville, Iowa, the scene required hundreds of cars. The production team put out a call to local residents, and the response was overwhelming—nearly 3,000 volunteers showed up with their vehicles. Community support was key, and the locals brought not just their cars, but their enthusiasm.

To make the scene work visually, cars were staged miles down the road and instructed to drive slowly toward the field with headlights on. The sequence was filmed during “magic hour”—that brief period just after sunset when the ambient light is soft, golden, and cinematic. This timing allowed the headlights to shine while still preserving detail in the surrounding landscape.

But the logistics were tricky. The road to the farm was a dead end, so the cars couldn’t just drive through. A turnaround loop was prepared just out of camera view, and some cars exited through a hidden cornfield detour. Many drivers looped around and rejoined the line for another pass, and the crew captured the scene from multiple angles to get the footage they needed.

In the final cut, some cars appear more than once—but because the shots are wide and slow, the audience never notices.   And of course a bit of digital compositing in post-production helped extend the line even further.

Actor Kevin Costner said that when he saw the line of cars from the field, he got chills.  He wasn’t alone. The blend of heartfelt storytelling, community spirit, and movie magic made that scene unforgettable.

Apollo 13 – Zero Gravity, Real Commitment

When Ron Howard set out to make Apollo 13 in 1995, he wanted the space sequences to feel real. Rather than relying on CGI or wire work (which was limited at the time), the filmmakers did something radical—they filmed in actual zero gravity.

To simulate weightlessness, they partnered with NASA and used a modified KC-135 aircraft, famously nicknamed the “Vomit Comet.” This aircraft flies in parabolic arcs to create brief periods of microgravity. Each arc provides about 20–30 seconds of weightlessness, followed by a steep climb (and 2 Gs of force) before the next arc begins. A single flight includes 30–40 arcs, delivering roughly 10–15 minutes of total floating time.

Over the course of production, the Apollo 13 team flew more than 600 parabolas, giving them about four hours of usable weightless footage. The cast—including Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton—trained extensively with NASA and even attended space camp.

A custom-built Command Module set was installed inside the aircraft, and the actors performed their scenes under real conditions. This commitment to authenticity made Apollo 13 the first major Hollywood film to shoot extensively in zero gravity.

Though Steven Spielberg didn’t direct or produce the film, he played a critical behind-the-scenes role. When NASA initially rejected Ron Howard’s request, it was Jim Lovell, the real commander of Apollo 13, along with Spielberg, who helped change their minds. Spielberg’s long-standing relationship with NASA—and his reputation for portraying space respectfully—carried serious weight.

Spielberg also advised Howard during pre-production, encouraging him to focus on technical realism and emotional storytelling. His guidance helped shape the film’s powerful “failure is not an option” tone.

The result? A film that was both technically groundbreaking and emotionally resonant. Apollo 13 earned nine Academy Award nominations and reignited public interest in NASA and space exploration.

Quote of the Day:  “We don’t make movies to make money. We make money to make more movies.” – Walt Disney