Special effects have come a long way since the early days of cinema. From basic practical effects to advanced computer-generated imagery (CGI), filmmakers now have an impressive range of tools at their disposal to enhance their vision and bring their stories to life on the big screen. But have you ever wondered what your favorite movies would look like without these special effects? Would they still be as entertaining and visually stunning?
Today, we’ll delve into classic films such as Games of Thrones and 300, as well as modern blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and other famous movies. You may be surprised at just how much of a difference these effects make, and gain a newfound appreciation for the artistry and technical skill involved in bringing these worlds to life. So sit back, relax, and get ready to see your favorite movies in a whole new light in this eye-opening journey through the evolution of movie special effects.
#1. Games of Thrones
Source: PinterestGame of Thrones, which is a popular television series that aired from 2011 to 2019, employed extensive use of CGI (computer-generated imagery) throughout its eight seasons. The show’s production team used CGI to create various visual effects, including elaborate landscapes, mythical creatures, and large-scale battle sequences.Advertisement
Source: PinterestThe series’ production company, HBO, invested heavily in creating a realistic and immersive world for the show’s characters to inhabit.
Source: PinterestOne of the most impressive uses of CGI in the series was in creating the dragons, which were central to the plot of the later seasons. The dragons were created entirely through CGI, with the actors interacting with green screens to simulate the animals’ presence on set.Advertisement
#2. The Lord of the Rings
Source: PinterestOne of the most impressive uses of CGI in the films was in creating the many mythical creatures that populate Middle-earth, such as orcs, trolls, and dragons. And another significant use of CGI in the films was in creating the vast landscapes of Middle-earth.Advertisement
#3. Maleficent
Source: PinterestPortraying Maleficent is considered the most important part of the movie. So the filmmakers used motion capture technology to record Jolie’s facial expressions and movements, which were then transferred onto a digital model of the character.Advertisement
#4. 300
Source: PinterestThe most impressive scene in 300 is the battle. So filmmakers utilized CGI in 300 in creating the film’s many battle sequences. They used digital effects to enhance the action on screen, adding in thousands of digital soldiers for the epic battles. They also created digital blood and gore, as well as enhanced the weapons and armor of the fighters to give them an otherworldly appearance.Advertisement
#5. Ender’s Game
Source: PinterestThe major action sequences in the movie require the Battle Room. The Battle Room is a zero-gravity arena where teams compete against each other in simulated battles. The filmmakers used extensive motion capture technology to record the movements of the actors, which were then transferred onto digital models of the characters. This allowed for seamless integration between live-action footage and digital effects, creating a convincing zero-gravity environment.Advertisement
#6. The Avengers
Source: PinterestIn creating explosion scenes in The Avengers, computer-generated imagery (CGI) was used extensively.Advertisement
Source: PinterestThe sets in the movie are one of the parts where filmmakers applied CGI. It was used to create entire environments or backgrounds. This battle scene is an example, which allows for large-scale destruction and chaos that would have been difficult to achieve practically.Advertisement
#7. The Chronicles of Narnia
Source: PinterestThe film series The Chronicles of Narnia, which is based on the books by C.S. Lewis, has made extensive use of CGI throughout the films to create the magical world of Narnia. The visual effects were primarily created by several different companies such as Weta Digital, MPC, and Framestore.Advertisement
#8. Oz the Great and Powerful
Source: WikipediaOz the Great and Powerful employed a wide range of CGI techniques to bring its fantastical world and characters to life, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for viewers, including the digital backgrounds and environments in post-production. That look like the real world that was both beautiful and surreal.Advertisement
#9. Avatar
Source: Pinterest
Avatar pushed the boundaries of what was possible with CGI at the time, creating a visually stunning and immersive world that captivated audiences around the world. The Na’vi were designed to be both lifelike and alien, requiring complex motion capture and animation techniques to bring them to life.
The actors performing the Na’vi characters wore motion capture suits with sensors that captured their movements, which were then translated into digital animations. This allowed the filmmakers to create realistic and expressive characters that blended seamlessly into the film’s live-action sequences.
Advertisement
#10. Divergent
Source: IMDbThe “Divergent” film series features a significant amount of CGI, particularly in its depiction of the futuristic world and the advanced technology present in it. This iconic scene is an example.Advertisement
#11. Sin City
Source: PinterestThe filmmakers used a technique called “digital backlot” to create most of the film’s backgrounds and settings. This involved filming the actors on green screen sets, then adding digitally-created backgrounds and environments in post-production. The result is a highly stylized, black-and-white world that closely resembles the look and feel of the original Sin City comic books.Advertisement#12. Inception
Source: PinterestTo create the complex dream worlds depicted in the movie, the filmmakers used a combination of practical effects and CGI. For example, the scenes where we see entire cityscapes fold in on themselves or characters shift gravity were created using a combination of practical effects and CGI.Advertisement#13. Real Steel
Source: IMDbIn Real Steel, the robots were brought to life using a combination of motion capture technology and computer animation. The actors performing the fight scenes in the movie wore motion capture suits, which allowed their movements to be recorded and then applied to the digital models of the robots.Advertisement#14. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Source: IMDbThere are several scenes in the film where green screens were used to create backgrounds or to insert characters into different locations. This technique allowed the filmmakers to shoot actors on sets that were designed for specific purposes while adding in the necessary elements later in post-production.Advertisement#15. Guardians of the Galaxy
Source: IMDb
One of the most notable examples of the use of CGI in the film is the character Rocket Raccoon, who is a CGI creation voiced by Bradley Cooper. The animators used motion capture to record actor Sean Gunn’s movements and expressions for the character, which were then applied to the digital model of Rocket. This allowed the character to move and interact seamlessly with the other live-action actors in the scenes.
Which scene is the most impressive? Let us know in the comment section below!
