Bubbling Skin in 'The Howling'

The werewolf transformation scene in The Howling was done with practical effects. As it begins, you can see Eddie Quist’s (played by Robert Picardo) skin start to pulse and bubble.

So, how did they do that? Special effects artist Rob Bottin employed a technique known as the “air bladder effect”. This effect, pioneered by Dick Smith, involves placing latex balloons underneath prosthetics. When these balloons are inflated, it creates the illusion of bubbling skin.

Bottin went on to use this same technique when he worked on John Carpenter’s The Thing. It was also used in other horror movies you may have seen, such as Scanners and An American Werewolf in London.