YEAR 2 Current Trend Of VFX

WEEK1

Current Trends:

Motion capture : recording actions of human actors and using that information to animate digital character models in 2D or 3D computer animation

surrealism: {dreams) a style in art and literature in which ideas, images, and objects are combined in a strange way, like in a dream.

 

Harold Edgertons:

electrical engineer and photographer who was noted for creating high-speed photography techniques that he applied to scientific uses.

 

Edgerton created a way to stop the world a bullet passing through an apple, and the crown-like splash created from a single drop of milk. He was the first man to harness electricity to freeze time to an instant.

time stamp 2:22

in this Deadpool clip it shows the manipulation of time on how the surroundings of Deadpool is slowed down and Deadpool is still in real time

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I created this image using the cameras shutter speed, attempting to get the same result as Harold Edgerton image above.

here we see a inspiration of Harold Edgerton work still using in the modern age in a movie called the matrix.

week 1 : what does James fox mean by “The age of the Image”?

In the documentary of James fox he explains in a way how we are living in a time where visual media is taking over the way we communicate, think, and look on the world. James Fox also puts a pin on how images are powerful because they often bypass searches, appealing directly to emotions.

Furthermore James Fox mentions “We now live in a world where the image has become so powerful that it is often mistaken for truth itself”. What i think this means is in this modern age people are more influenced by what they see online or on TV, often taking images at face value without questioning their power.

However James also dives into the danger of this shift, suggesting that an overly faith on images can simplify complex issues, for example he states “images can flatten the richness of human experience into something more consumable.” Im guessing this has something to do with how images can often be manipulated or edited to present a filtered versions of reality, creating unrealistic expectations and perception of the world.

But back to the question i think “the age of the image” quote mean something to do with how the power of images have transformed the modern World in a positive and maybe negative way i say negative due to the possibility of distorting reality by leaving crucial things out the way, what can also lead people to form their own opinion that can obviously cause a potential to mislead one another.

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Week 2: The Photographic Truth Claim: Can we believe what we see?

The Allegoty of the cave:

Inmates are shown in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave mistaking shadows on a wall for actual objects. One prisoner manages to break free, learning about the outside world and attaining enlightenment. This represents the progression from ignorance to knowledge, emphasising the value of education and the role of the philosopher in illuminating the true nature of things.

Socratic Methods:

The method stimulates critical thinking through the asking of questions. Eventually you reach the truth, but this is only done via the presenting of different viewpoints.

In what ways is Plato’s Allegory of the Cave reflected or represented through storytelling and visual effects in cinema?

Plato’s Allegory of the cave is reflected in films like The Matrix and Inception, where characters confront illusions versus reality. visual effects highlight there themes by creating stark contrast between the perceived world and the true one, mirroring the journey from ignorance to enlightenment in the allegory.

matrix

inception

Perceptual Realism: is a philosophical concept that posits that our senses directly provide us with awareness of objects as they truly are, independently of our perceptions or interpretations. It is also known as Naïve Realism or Direct Realism.

Photographic truth the prevailing belief that traditional photographs accurately depict reality.

workshop activity:  

The impact of VFX on Photographic Truth: Visual effects (VFX) change how we see truth in photography. While they help create amazing stories and visuals, they can also make it hard to tell what’s real. VFX can mislead viewers and challenge our trust in images, making us question what we see and how we understand truth in visual media.

 

what you think is meant by the theory: The Photographic Truth-Claim?

The theory of the Photographic Truth-Claim suggests that photographs represent a unique connection to reality. This idea implies that a photograph is not just an image but serves as evidence of what was actually there. In the “Plenary Session II: Digital Aesthetics,” speakers like Vivian Sobchack and Tom Gunning discussed how digital technologies complicate this traditional understanding.

Sobchack pointed out that while photographs used to be seen as “authentic representations of the real world,” the rise of digital editing challenges this view. Because nowdays, it’s easy to manipulate images, which creates numbers of questions about their reliability. Gunning noted that the “indexical quality” of photography its ability to signify something that truly existed may be diminishing. This leads us to question how much we can trust photographs as truthful representations.

In an age where digital adjustment are so common, the Photographic Truth-Claim sparks a conversation about originality. This discussion highlights our ongoing struggle to find genuine connections to reality in a world increasingly filled with digital images.

 

what i thought in a simplified answer  The Photographic Truth Claim suggests that while we see photos as evidence of reality, digital editing challenges our trust in their originality. It highlights the struggle to find truth in a world full of image.

WEEK3: FAKING PHOTOGRAPHS 

 

fake image

This fake image is of Teddy Roosevelt

How it was created: To mount Roosevelt onto a moose, Underwood and Underwood painstakingly cut out an image of him riding a horse, and then pasted it onto a picture of a swimming moose. The fatal mistake can be seen just above Roosevelt’s knee, where falsified ripples in the water give away the con. Luckily for Roosevelt, he has plenty of other real accomplishments of which we can all be in awe.

 

Digital fakes:  

 

life like illusions :

 

 

what is compositing task for week 3:

Identify the components

optics and perspective

believability in composition

rule of third

types of elements

Bottom third: The dry or green grass in both the before and after images dominates this area. The sidewalk path leading up the hill naturally guides the viewer’s eye into the scene.

Middle third: The houses and trees occupy this section, anchoring the scene’s focus on the neighborhood. The houses are positioned along the intersection points of the rule of thirds grid, helping the composition feel well-balanced and natural.

Top third: The sky, power lines, and tops of the trees fill this part of the image. The vertical pole on the right aligns well with the third grid, serving as a visual divider between the foreground and background.

in the movie Artemple, there are two key scenes that subtly showcase the incredible use of VFX to create a seamless environment, making the effects almost invisible to the audience.

Grass: In the “before” image, the grass is dry and dead, giving the scene a colder, more lifeless feel. In the “after” image, VFX artists have replaced the brown grass with lush green grass, instantly transforming the scene to appear more vibrant and alive. This change likely uses matte painting or digital grass replacement to achieve a natural look.

Trees: The trees in the “before” image are bare, reflecting a winter or early spring setting, while in the “after” image, the trees are full of leaves, indicating late spring or summer. This shift enhances the seasonal continuity, probably through a combination of compositing and digital enhancement.

Color Grading and Lighting: The overall lighting in the “after” image feels warmer and more inviting, possibly achieved through color grading to match the greener foliage and grass.

The VFX work is subtle here, as it focuses on enhancing the environment by changing the season. These types of invisible VFX are common in period dramas and scenes where continuity between shots filmed at different times is essential. The added greenery seamlessly matches the existing environment, making the changes feel organic.

In the second scene, the sky and backdrop were completely transformed. The original sky was removed and replaced with a more dramatic or fitting version, while a bridge, a cityscape (using matte painting), additional trees, and extra lighting elements were added. These digital adjustments helped create a more cohesive setting while enhancing the visual appeal of the scene. Despite all these digital manipulations, the effects are so subtle that most viewers would not notice the extent of the CGI work involved, keeping the focus on the story.

• Foreground (bottom third): The line of parked cars and the wet road dominate the bottom third of the image, guiding the viewer’s eye through the frame.
• Midground (middle third): The diner is centered here, positioned along one of the vertical lines. The figures standing by the cars on the right also sit near an intersection point, drawing attention.
• Background (top third): The cityscape, including the illuminated bridge and some distant buildings, fills the top third of the image. The bridge tower aligns with a vertical division, creating a visually balanced composition.
• The city skyline and bridge might have been added or enhanced using VFX to better fit the period or location. Matte painting or CGI could have been used to create or modify these structures.
• Lighting enhancements could have been digitally added to increase the glow of the streetlights and diner signs, making the night scene more cinematic.
• Set extension is likely; the environment behind the diner could be extended digitally to include more city elements or to create the illusion of a larger urban area.

week 4: Photorealism 

Photo realism term that comes from genre of painting established in the late 1960s and through into the 1970s

Chuck Close 

Chuck close used highly inventive techniques to paint the human face.

 

what does photorealism mean in visual effects? 

In visual effects, photorealism is the creation of digital imagery that looks indistinguishable from real life. This is achieved through detailed textures, accurate lighting, and seamless integration with live-action footage, making the effects appear completely natural.

Key attributes: i have mention some already such as

1. Detailed Textures: Surfaces must accurately represent real-world materials, like skin, metal, or fabric.
2. Accurate Lighting and Shadows: Lighting must reflect how it interacts with objects in reality, including realistic shadows and reflections.
3. Natural Physics and Motion: Movements and interactions must follow the laws of physics, ensuring believability.
4. Seamless Integration: CGI must blend perfectly with live-action footage in terms of perspective, depth, and camera effects.
5. Fine Details: Small elements like subtle reflections or surface imperfections enhance realism.

These components combine to make digital imagery look indistinguishable from reality.

some examples of photorealism

movie that photorealism had a weird feeling to look at

you can tell which one is the weird looking one

Photorealism in visual effects works by carefully recreating real-world objects and environments using advanced technology and artistry. Here’s how it operates:

 

 

week 5 – Trend of Capture in VFX 

What type of capture are used in VFX and why?

motion captue: is used in VFX to create  realistic/ authentic movement, allowing VFX artists to accurately translate actor performances into computer-generated characters. This resulted in more believable and engaging character interactions on screen.

How motion capture works?

Optical Passive: This is the most common and flexible method. Markers (small reflective balls or stickers) are placed on the actor’s body, typically at joint locations (e.g., elbows, knees, ankles). Infrared cameras track the markers’ movement, recording the 3D position and orientation of each marker. The data is then translated into a digital skeleton, allowing the 3D model to mimic the actor’s movements.

1. passive optical mocap
2. cyber scanning
3. markerless mocap Active LED mocap

 

pros and cons Motion capture:

Pros:

• Realism and Detail:Mocap can capture subtle nuances of human movement, creating realistic animations that are difficult to achieve with manual keyframing. Used extensively in films and games, mocap can replicate complex movements (like combat scenes or dance) authentically.
• Time Efficiency:Compared to traditional animation, which can take weeks for intricate sequences, mocap allows animators to record and transfer movements quickly. Once the initial recording is complete, animators can focus on refining details instead of building every frame.
• Consistency:Motion capture ensures consistent quality in repeated movements, beneficial for scenes requiring precise choreography or replicated motions. By using stored mocap data, similar sequences can be reused across scenes, reducing redundancy.
• Cost Savings:Although the initial setup can be expensive, mocap can save costs over time, especially for projects requiring extensive movement data. Reusable mocap data saves time and resources on large projects, particularly in game development.

 

Cons: 

• Technical Expertise RequiredSkilled technicians and animators are needed to operate mocap systems and clean up data, making it challenging for those without mocap experience. Errors during capture, such as “noise” (unwanted data) or technical malfunctions, often require significant post-production work.
• Natural Movement LimitationsSometimes, mocap can capture unwanted details or restrict natural movement due to suits or marker placements.Actors must adapt to working with sensors, which can alter their performance slightly, leading to some loss in authenticity.
•  Post-Processing NeedsMocap data often requires “cleaning” or adjustment to fix inaccuracies, especially with face or finger tracking, which can complicate the process.Complex scenes, like interactions between multiple characters or scenes requiring physical props, may need additional fine-tuning.

characters motion capture is used for:

caesar

avatar 

davy jones pirates of the Caribbean’s

lord of the rings golem.

 

comparison of keyframe and motion capture :

Keyframe animation and motion capture are both popular techniques for creating animated characters, but they each have unique strengths and challenges. Keyframe animation involves animators manually setting specific “key” poses at certain points, and the software fills in the frames between them. This technique allows for a lot of creative control, which is perfect for stylized animations, cartoons, or non-human characters that might need exaggerated or imaginative movements. Since it doesn’t require any special equipment, keyframing is also more accessible for smaller studios and independent artists. However, it can be slow and labour-intensive, especially when trying to create realistic movements, which requires a lot of skill and patience.

On the other hand, motion capture records live movements from actors and translates them directly into digital data, which can then be applied to characters. This approach is incredibly efficient for producing realistic, complex actions like fight scenes or dancing, and it captures subtle details in human motion that are hard to animate manually. But it has its downsides, too: motion capture equipment is expensive, requires a controlled setup, and often needs a lot of cleaning up afterward to remove any errors or unwanted data. This makes it more common in big-budget films and games than in smaller projects.

Interestingly, both techniques are often combined in major productions to get the best of both worlds. For example, motion capture might be used to capture a base layer of realistic movement, and then animators add extra touches with keyframing to emphasize expressions or adjust certain motions. This blending is often seen in movies like Avatar, where capturing realistic movement is essential, but there’s also a need for artistic freedom. Overall, the choice between these techniques comes down to the specific needs of the project: whether it’s aiming for realistic human motion or a unique, stylized look, as well as the resources available for equipment and skilled animators. Both methods are powerful in their own ways and offer different types of flexibility, so it’s no surprise that studios often turn to a mix of both to get the results they want.

 

WEEK 6:

 

Where do you see current and emerging trends in the technology and practice of capture?

Facial and Full-Body Capture Integration
Facial motion capture is advancing quickly, capturing even the smallest expressions in real-time, often paired with full-body motion to create highly realistic characters. These integrated systems are becoming standard in gaming and film, where subtle facial cues enhance character depth and emotional engagement.

Real-Time Mocap and Virtual Production
Real-time motion capture is transforming virtual production, enabling directors and teams to see live, digital character performances as actors perform them. This has been popularized in recent productions like The Mandalorian, where entire environments and characters can be visualized live on set. This trend makes mocap valuable for faster feedback and decision-making during shoots, as well as for live-streamed performances.

 

What types of reality capture are used in VFX and why? How is this data captured?

Photogrammetry is a go-to technique in VFX because it allows artists to create incredibly realistic 3D models and textures straight from real-world objects or locations. It’s especially useful for capturing things like landscapes, buildings, or intricate details on surfaces, helping these elements fit naturally into CGI scenes. The process is straightforward: you take lots of photos from different angles around the object or area, and then specialized software pieces these images together to form a 3D model. Thanks to tools like drones, photogrammetry has become a quick and accurate way to bring real-world places and details into digital worlds for movies and games.

list of technologies –

DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras- Indexical Data: i believe so since the images directly reflect real-world objects and textures, which are then used to create accurate 3D models.

Drones- Indexical Data:  drone images capture real landscapes from above, providing a precise foundation for digital terrain models.

360° HDR Cameras-  HDR images capture the real lighting conditions and colour temperature of the environment.

what does perspective need to function:

• Horizon Line: Represents eye level; sets the base for vanishing points and spatial orientation.
• Converging Lines: Lines that move toward the vanishing point, enhancing the illusion of distance.
• Scale and Size Diminishment: Objects appear smaller as they’re farther away, creating depth.
• Foreshortening: Compression effect on objects viewed at an angle, adding to 3D realism.
• Light and Shadow: Define shape and depth, helping distinguish distances between objects.

 

ScanLAB Projects’ Frozen Relic: Arctic Works set out to capture the Arctic’s disappearing ice formations using advanced 3D scanning technology. With climate change accelerating the melting of these landscapes, ScanLAB aimed to create a detailed, permanent digital archive that would preserve the Arctic’s beauty and fragility for both scientific research and public awareness.

The team used laser scanning and photogrammetry to capture the ice formations in exacting detail, creating 3D models down to the millimetre. These tools allowed them to map every crevice and surface, transforming complex ice forms into immersive digital replicas. Working in the Arctic’s extreme cold posed serious challenges: equipment had to withstand freezing temperatures, and the team had to work in short bursts to capture high-quality data amid shifting ice.

The results were stunning. The digital models allowed people, even those far from the Arctic, to experience the landscape through VR and AR. These immersive exhibits helped audiences see first-hand what climate change threatens to erase. Frozen Relic not only preserved a part of the Arctic but also used cutting-edge technology to bring attention to climate issues, making the urgency of conservation tangible and immediate.

 

 

Week 7 – The Digital Michelangelo Project

Michelangelo Project

using advanced laser scanners, they recorded millions of data points, capturing every curve, crack, and chisel mark. This digital archive aids conservators monitor deterioration, makes thee masterpieces accessible online, and gives art historians new insights into Michelangelo’s techniques. despite working in tight museum spaces and managing vast amount of data the project, set a new standard for digital preservation of cultural heritage.

LASER SCANNER-

What is Laser scan?

A Laser scanner emits beams that sweep over the object, capturing its exact shape , texture , and surface details by measuring distances at millions of points. the result is  a point cloud a digital representation of scanned object.

PRO- Laser scanners capture extremely high detail, making 3D models look highly realistic in VFX

CON- They Generate large data files which can be challenging to store and process

Mimesis – meaning a imitation or a mimicry it refers to the process of representing or imitating reality in art and literature.

 

Hyperrealism – refers to the use of visual effects techniques to create imagery that is so detailed and lifelike that it surpasses reality in terms of precision and texture. in terms of precision and texture. in this context VFX artists use advanced digital tools to replicate real world objects, environments or characters with extreme attention to detail, often making them appear more realistic than what is seen in real life. This can include everything from hyper detailed skin textures, to realistic lighting and shadows, to meticulously crafted digital environments or creatures, all designed to evoke a sense of enhanced reality within the cinematic experience.

Example–

The Jungle Book –

 

Avatar –

 

The Lion King-

 

 

 

WEEK 8 – Simulacra and a Simulation