There has been exponential growth in movies and computer graphics in recent years. CGI in movies, web series and other broadcasting mediums have evolved a lot. The entire M&E (Media & Entertainment) industry is striving to recreate astonishing scenes and environments and naturally blend them to make viewers believe that the output is real. Apart from it, latest advertisings (TVC) are also using high end 3D Animation and Visual Effects to showcase their products in highly engaging way.
Computer graphics have advanced significantly in terms of being futuristic and mimicking scenes. They are entirely the result of technological advancement and innovation. Check out making of Avatar 2. It is the best example of the this blog article.
Check it out in more detail.
What is CGI?
CGI stand for Computer Generated Imagery.
It encompasses all the digitally created images and elements that are added to a television series, web series, movie, etc. This technique has been proven to be more cost-effective than using props and different elements to create scenes in films. Filming a scene with the actors and all supporting elements is done during production, and then the scene is enhanced in post-production to fit the director’s vision.
It is a post-production service. From the visualization of the element that is going to go in a scene, all the way to the final render of the scene, it is a team effort and contribution that makes a movie possible.
Fun fact: Even live streams today can incorporate real-time CGI to make the stream better and more visually appealing for viewers.
Figuring out real from CGI in movies
There is no denying that sometimes movies have Animation and VFX that is evident to children. Between movies like Krrish 3 and Avengers: End Game, the difference in skills for CGI is as clear as day to viewers.
The entire point of adding such visual elements are not only to enhance the vision and the film but also to make sure that the scene looks complete. An ordinary viewer, outside the industry of visual effects, should not understand that there is any visual effects work that is done on the scene. It has to be ‘Invisible VFX’.
To take an example of Bollywood movie, let’s take the movie Chennai Express. It has huge chroma removals, roto, paint, clean plate, multiple CG car movements and accidents. What if we told you that most of the backgrounds that are there in the film, like the sunset scene during the climax, were completely CGI? Of course, for superhero movies, movies that have scenes from other planets, and movies that have to physically recreate entire worlds together, the fact that 3D and VFX are a part of the film’s making is obvious.
CGI for films: how important is it?
Even the smallest elements in films are dependent on VFX nowadays. VFX is known for beautifying and transforming movies to make them more appealing to viewers. As such, having good CGI in movies is now a necessity.
Most filmmakers choose to collaborate with some of India’s best VFX companies to ensure that quality work is always delivered. A scene can be enhanced and altered much more cost-effectively by using computer graphics rather than adding elements and re-creating the scene from scratch. As such, it is the preferred method of moving forward with films.
In India, VFX organizations provide end-to-end VFX services for movies, TV series, web series, commercials, and advertisements. Some of the basic VFX services that are included in movies include clean-up, wire removal, rotoscoping, matte painting, set extensions, compositing, beauty fixes, colour correction and lighting, 3D animation, and more.
Fun fact: Bollywood today is extensively using the colour correction and cleaning services of VFX companies to ensure that actors look younger and fresher in all movies. It’s a tactic to ensure that the scene matches the envisioned plot.