All work and no play makes jack a dull boy they say. After long stressful day, how do you de-stress? Do you sit back and just listen to some cool calming songs or would prefer to grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy viewing a captivating movie.
Watching a movie is an incredible way to unwind, an appeal to your sense of sight and hearing. The progression of the movie industry to deliver advantageous, spellbinding and wonderful practical motion pictures is a demonstration to laud and a development in the right direction. The wizardry of making realistic movie impressions is the impact of non other than VFX.
VFX is a popular term now in the movie word, some people use the term without even the full meaning. VFX stands for VISUAL EFFECTS. It is used to describe an imagery manipulated, enhanced or created for any film that cannot place during real-time shooting. VFX comes as a reminder that every day, man is extending his scholarly limit and there is considerably more which technology has to bring to the table.
As our faces are different, likewise the different conceivable stories which each brain can hold, both fiction and non-fictions alike. Deciphering this masterpiece and making them concrete includes the consideration of VFX. It allows filmmakers reproduce these actions into convincing events on screen for your viewing pleasure.
Before the advent of VFX, individuals who worked in the special visualizations needed to control scenes with various procedures. Basically, once it’s conceivable, then it is possible to watch on a screen in a way that’s authentic and convincing.
Today nearly every blockbuster movie comes heavily imbedded with VFX. From mystical creatures and themes to fantasy land to a whole world of sci-fi and imaginary characters made from software. I wonder what our thoughts on movies would have been like without having certain screen presence where actors and actresses could fly, dinosaurs existed, animals talks and interplanetary evil presences. Imitation of aliens and a whole lots more.
Improvements in VFX and the advancement of VFX software have made replicating old movies even more fascinating and enjoyable. People don’t even care that they’ve seen the movies before or that it’s the same story line. They watch the movie again to experience the realness.
An example is the movie ‘Lion King’ directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and first released on the 15th of June 1994 and a second release with enhanced VFX was made in July 2019 and by the week of its release, estimates had the film debuting to as much as $180 million from 4,725 theaters.
VFX is indeed a billion dollar advantage to the movie world. VFX is as broader as it gets:
• Computer-Generated Imagery: this is used to create digitally created VFX in films in 2 dimensions and 3 dimensions. It involves remodeling of objects, places or persons that do not exist into representations of the 2 or 3D.
• Compositing/ Chroma Keying: this is a combination of set. Merging two locations to make it seem as though they are in the same place. To accomplish this, a blue or green screen is used while filming and later replaced with the VFX using composting software in post production.
• Mocap: otherwise known as motion capture is the process of digitally recording an actor’s movements, then transferring those movements to a computer generated 3D model. To achieve this, actors are placed in a motion capture suit covered in special markers that a camera can track.
As engaging as the benefits and effect of VFX seems to be, its effect on the business is antagonistic. It is additionally a billion dollar drainer.
An Industry in a dilemma. Should we ignore the fact that VFX involves a heavy budget for operations and executions and thrive on the euphoria of its expectancy. The struggle continues to stay relevant by companies and film makers even without abilities to keep them afloat.
“Digital Domain nearly went bankrupt when they created Titanic’s” visual effect with James Cameron, losing nearly $9 million back then and eventually filing for bankruptcy in 2012 before being bought out.”
The above has been the fate of a few companies which in turn leads to a massive loss of job and an increase unemployment rate.
The revolution I believe is a gradual process and since the need for VFX is on a high rise, solutions will be provided to make up for these shortcomings . Innovations and ideas are unending. Technology is improving with each day. The part to a compromise on the several issues bothering the advancement of the industry in the area of VFX would soon be a thing of the past.
Below are a list of some VFX companies;
- Bird Studios (London)
- 4th Creative Party (Korea)
- Atmosphere Visual Effect (Canada)
- CineSite ( London/ Hollywood)
- Digital Domain ( Playa Vista / Unites States)
The end goal is to break grounds and create worth while motion pictures and improve viewing experience.
In addition, take note of professional movie terms and do not misuse them; SPX for VFX. SPX is used during production and real time shooting while VFX is usually done post shooting. If a world, place, objects or animal exists in your Mind, it can come to life.
