Visual effects are one of the fundamental pillars of the current film industry
Throughout the history of cinema, filmmakers have evolved and created new techniques and tricks to make movies magical and spectacular. Initially, these effects were made during filming with cuts, makeup, sound effects, etc. Currently, there is a clear differentiation between these effects, called special effects (FX), produced on set, and visual effects (VFX ) that are carried out in the postproduction.
The first steps of Visual Effects (VFX)
Although it does not have visual effects itself, A trip to the moon (1902) by Georges Méliès laid the first foundations of fantasy and science fiction. The movie Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) is defined as the first film to have visual effects, since it had multiple technical aspects that made VFX a basic pillar of film production.
The credibility of George Lucas's effects made the viewer capable of moving to other universes and planets never seen before. The dissolutions of him, stop motion animation, use of chroma, models and the matte painting technique created those scenes, objects and spaces that we still remember.
Another of the most spectacular films that marked a milestone in history was Jurassic Park (1993), which combined special effects with visuals to impress the public with the first life-size dinosaurs on the big screen.
Techniques for VFX Creation
The reality is that there are countless techniques for creating visual effects, and as technology advances, many are improved and new ones are created. Years ago nobody imagined that people or animals could be created from the skeleton or that it would be more than normal to see new planets, spaceships and interstellar travel.
Chroma key
The chroma key or chroma is a green or blue screen that is used as a background for sequences and scenes to, in subsequent post-production, add the desired scene or digital environment. This is achieved by isolating the color from the background by creating a perfect clipping mask that isolates the desired objects and allows space to be played with.
It is one of the leading techniques in composition from the manipulation of color with the main objective of separating objects or people from a monochromatic, blue or green background according to the needs of the production.
Modeling and animation 3D
3D modeling is the process of creating spaces, objects and characters in three-dimensional format through polygon modeling in specialized software. In addition, the creation in 3D format is a very practical tool, since it is very useful in multiple situations.
Matchmoving and rotomation
Matchmoving or motion tracking is the technique that allows inserting and placing elements, in a certain position, scale, orientation and movement, within a previously recorded scene. That is, the movement made by the camera in a specific plane or scene is tracked to obtain its coordinates and insert the objects correctly based on that information. As an example, it is the technique that is used to insert spaceships.
Color correction and grading
La color correction It is one of the main techniques in the post-production of a film. Its function is to modify certain colors to correct or improve light parameters, equalize, solve exposure problems, modify the appearance, etc.
On the other hand, color grading is the technique that is responsible for creating suitable environments for scenes, sometimes even frame by frame, playing with light, contrast, color and effects. It has a more aesthetic object, designed by the technical and artistic team to create certain emotions in the viewer.
CGI
CGI, Computer Generated Images, are images created from scratch by a computer. To achieve this, the actors and actresses wear a suit with numerous reference points that reflect infrared light emitted and received by the cameras. Thus, once the movement and gestures are recorded, they are transferred to computers using software. There begins the work of composition and animation. Finds here some CGI curiosities.
Digital Matte Painting
The technique focused on the creation of environments and scenarios, whether 2D or 3D, is known as Matte Painting. Its objective is to avoid the excessive expenses that the construction or rent of certain spaces would entail, although, many times, it is in charge of creating impossible spaces.
Matte Painting combines skills and knowledge of photography and 3D production with the ability to draw and compose in digital painting.
Dedicate yourself to the creation of VFX
Currently dedicating yourself professionally to the creation of visual effects is not complicated, but it requires a series of very technical knowledge that can be achieved in specialized training. For this, there are courses, diplomas and masters such as Master in Postproduction and VFX offered by the University School of Arts TAI, an intensive specialization to develop successfully in the post-production of all types of audiovisual content.
