Along with this CGI has many other advantages. One is that computer generated characters can be created to look like what ever the animator wants, there are no restrictions when it comes to imagination and creativity. For example, throughout the Star Wars Saga, we are introduced to hundreds of different species of characters all created by CGI animation.
Another advantage is that CGI reduces costs for actors/actresses appearances in movies and the cost of set design and props, as they are not needed because they can be generated by Computer animators. An example of this is 'Toy Story', where Disney's 'Pixar' the costs of sets and actor/actress appearances (Voices were still used) were not an issue as the whole movie was computer generated.
One more benefit of CGI technology is its increase in verisimilitude, as todays technology allows computer-generated elements to seem as real as possible in relation to the world of the films narrative.
30 Years ago, before special effects & graphics were a lot more difficult to create. The props department were then main method in creating non-real characters and sets without the use of CGI. It used to be that a character/set was created without computer-generation because that technology did not exist back then. This meant that a lot of restrictions effected a production company in terms of what they could produce. As everything was made into physical objects it meant that it would have to be manually operated but also that it could not defy gravity unlike computer-generated imagery. An example of this would be 'King Kong' made in 1933, which used no CGI technology as it did not exist back then. Now if we watched this movie we would believe it to be a very unrealistic, due to our expectations of the movies from the present time period.
In contrast to 30 Years ago, now special effects and graphics have been revolutionised. Computer-generated imagery is the in which movies have made their movies seem more realistic and attractive to its audiences. In 2005, a remake of 'King Kong' was made by Universal Pictures. This is an example of how a massive change in this aspect of digital technology has occured, in the 2005 remake King Kong is recreated using CGI technology which makes the movie seem a lot more realistic in and believable, along with its factor to attract the audience. Also, along with the fact that King Kong, T-Rex and other creature in this movie are made using CGI technology, so is the setting in some areas of the movie.
There are many types of special effects and graphics available in this era. Computerised effects including:
- Blue Screen/Matte
- Computer Animation
- Compositing
- Rain/Snow/Wind/Fire
- Explosions
- Computer Generated Imagery
Human Effects:
- Pyrotechnic Machinery to create explosions etc
- Blood Bags
- Latex
The first movie to be fully made out of CGI animation was 'Toy Story' made by Pixar. This movie was seen as a commercial success and triggered other companies of the Big 6 production companies to move from traditional animation to CGI technology.
In 2000, CGI became a dominant figure for special effects and is now one of the most used methods of special effects for Hollywood production companies.
One of my favourite titles of all time is Final Fantasy, from the long list of game releases to its films. Final Fantasy: Spirits Within made by Square Pictures is a created to be a CGI film throughout and was seen to be a movie which attempted to create 'Photo-realistic human actors'. This movie along with Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children are examples of entire CGI films. When these movies came out it was seen to be impressive to look so realistic and cinematic, along with being attractive to audiences which enjoy innovative ideas in film-making.
Audiences have definitely been effected by the innovation in special effects and graphics. This digital technology should impact an audiences viewing experience, i believe that it would attract and appeal to an audience more because from this technology they can now watch more creative and diverse films as CGI can allow anything to be made which means the same restricted narratives would not be repeated, but instead more compelling and intriguing storylines can be produced.
Due to the reductions in digital technology equipment e.g. PC's and Mac's with software for CGI animation and other special effect technology, it means that more money for a film can be focused into a marketing campaign to attract an audience which film viewers would appreciate and attract them more meaning revenue can increase from this and costs can stay low in terms of digital technology.
Now that anything is possible in movies due to CGI animation, being a film writer is broadened and will allow more creative people to access this kind of profession and gain success for films which are made that were not possible 30 years ago.
Negative comments are bound to occur due to digital technology, an example would be a group of people believing that CGI technology removes the real and everyday life aspects away from a movie which means that classic movies which did not use this kind of technology are over shadowed by these over-expensive movies about things that are not even possible.
Some upcoming movies which will include CGI technology in 2009 are:
-2012
-Avatar
This shows that many movies created by hollywood production companies or their subsidiaries have at some point in the movie, a use of special effects or graphics, it could be as little as the weather in the background or a group of characters and the set made by CGI.
Here is the link to Amandip Singh's research on Editing:
http://amandipasmedia.blogspot.com
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