What happens?
The four friends return to Oz with the news that the Wicked Witch is melted. The Wizard calls for them after a long wait and they discover that he is not really a wizard at all and that he came from America, just like Dorothy, in a hot air balloon. He agrees to give the four friends what they have come for the next day as long as they keep his true identity secret.
Have a think ..
Take a moment to think about these questions:
Why do you think the Wizard kept the friends waiting?
Do you think the Wizard would have been so important to the people of Oz without the special effects? Would people have been scared or respectful of him if he had just appeared to them as a wee old man?
The Wizard says,
I’m really a very good man; but I’m a very bad Wizard
Do you agree?
Focus on .. special effects
The Wizard of Oz used special effects to make himself look and sound completely different.
Find out more
There are many different special effects that can change someone or something into something else entirely.
Let’s find out more about special effects and how they are used in films.
Let’s look at special effects makeup. Here’s how a special make up effects artist creates a character.
And let’s not forget sound effects, also known as Foley.
Challenge yourself!
Can you make your own sound effect or visual effect and record / photograph it using your mobile phone?
More to explore
If you loved this chapter, why not check out some more ideas
More to read
These books should be available through your secondary school librarian. If we’ve found a free version online, we’ve added the link after each book.
Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. Daniel is desperate to see his children so he uses his make up and voice talents to turn himself into their new nanny.
The magic finger by Roald Dahl. A girl becomes furious at her neighbour’s behaviour so she uses magic on them.
The adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. Pinocchio is a wooden boy puppet who gets into all sorts of trouble due to behaving badly and being rude.
Mr Sparks by Danny Weston is the story of a possessed ventriloquist’s dummy.
