The Present and Future of VFX in Film and Media

The film and television industry is dominated by Visual Effects or VFX. All the films that mesmerize you with their larger-than-life imagery employ VFX as the unique ingredient. Be it your favourite Marvel superhero series or the fascinating ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy all of us were swept off our feet thanks to the magic wielded by VFX. One of the most exciting careers to pursue would be that as a VFX artist where you will be able to use your amazing creative skills to bring into life fascinating scenery and creatures.

If you want to be a part of a placement-guaranteed course you have to get enrolled in the leading VFX School, Moople Institute of Animation and Design. If you are interested to do a Visual Effects course in Kolkata, this blog provides a basic idea of VFX in films and media.

What is VFX?

VFX or Visual Effects are effects that are produced digitally to integrate with real-life footage in order to enhance the imagery. VFX is much more advanced and convenient than Special Effects (or FX) which is shot physically on the set. VFX is used to shoot those scenes that would be practically impossible, precarious, and expensive to shoot.

Why is Visual Effects Significant?

Visual effects or VFX is a delightful addition to the film imagery to give it an enhanced look. Visual Effects allows the filmmakers to envision and execute detailed and miraculous effects, worlds, creatures, and sceneries that wither do not exist in reality or would be enormously difficult to generate.

History of Special and Visual Effects

The usage of the Special Effects goes back as far as before the American Civil War. Oscar Rejlander in 1857 created the initial form of effects by performing composting images splicing them together to make a convincing sequence of events.

After many decades Alfred Clark was able to simulate the scene of Mary Queen of Scots’s execution put her head under the headman’s axe, and featured the first-ever within a film. The depiction was so realistic that the audience thought that someone has actually been executed.

A dummy was put under the axe instead of the male actor who was playing the role of the queen, and filming resumed. The stop motion trick that was used made it seem so realistic and convincing that the audiences who could never dream of such a striking effect believed that someone has actually been executed.

Special Effects in Modern Times

The technology at our disposal currently is nothing short of a miracle. Filmmakers can create whatever scene they can come up with in terms of their imaginative capability. Directors of movies can now film entire movies using the magic of green and blue screens, practical effects, and prosthetics, among others. This is efficient in scouting for filming locations, while it can also help to cut down work time considerably.

The blockbuster film of 2019 ‘Avengers: Endgame’ had a massive portion of it composed of Visual Effects including filming on green screens. This enables the actors to concentrate solely on acting while also making it seem that they are actually present in a war-torn battlefield instead of travelling to or physically creating such a place.

VFX Techniques

Some VFX techniques that filmmakers use to bring fantastical worlds to life are –

Bullet Time

Those of us who have watched the Matrix series of films are familiar with the mesmerizing scene in which the various characters take part in superhuman gunplay. Bullet time was one of the favourite techniques used in films, advertisements, video games, and TV shows for a stretch in the early to mid-2000s.

Doubling

In movies like ‘Parent Trap’ which involves featuring twins or clones, the process that is used is called Doubling. This process adds to an exciting dynamic to filming as the actor who has been doubled needs to act like there is another actor on the set and even interacts with their fictional counterpart.

If you are thinking of pursuing a VFX course in Kolkata you should consider joining Moople Institute of Animation and Design which offers a cluster of courses in VFX and 3d animation courses in kolkata. The production-oriented courses help you to gain the requisite practical skills while also equipping you with in-depth knowledge. If your dream is to build a successful career in the industry of  animation and VFX, contact Moople as they employ state-of-the-art infrastructure to make the students familiar with the latest trends in the industry.