Introduction to Visual EffectsIntroduction to Visual Effects

What is Visual Effects?How far back should we go?

What is Visual Effects?How far back should we go?

Illusion & MagicIllusion & Magic

What makes a magic trick work?

Are visual effects magic?

What makes a magic trick work?

Are visual effects magic?

Early HistoryEarly History1879 Altamira Spain

8 legged animals were drawn to show movement - Animation

We’ve always been interested in capturing our real world.

1879 Altamira Spain

8 legged animals were drawn to show movement - Animation

We’ve always been interested in capturing our real world.

Altamira SpainAltamira Spain

First IllusionsFirst Illusions

Ancient Egypt: Wooden statues were used for prayer.

Some were mechanical, using a series of pullies activated by a nearby water source.

Ancient Egypt: Wooden statues were used for prayer.

Some were mechanical, using a series of pullies activated by a nearby water source.

First IllusionsFirst Illusions

Pyrotechnics

Moving stages during the Renaissance

Automatons - What the heck are these? P.11

Pyrotechnics

Moving stages during the Renaissance

Automatons - What the heck are these? P.11

TheatreTheatre

Importance of Technology.

1800’s - Theatres thrived. They were huge and used advanced gas lighting systems.

Importance of story and its appeal.

Importance of Technology.

1800’s - Theatres thrived. They were huge and used advanced gas lighting systems.

Importance of story and its appeal.

TheatreTheatre

What are the elements of theatre today?What are the elements of theatre today?

TheatreTheatre

We still use projections?We still use projections?

Las VegasLas Vegas

What are the best uses of effects here in Las Vegas?What are the best uses of effects here in Las Vegas?

InnovationInnovation

1826 - Thaumatrope (Paris)1826 - Thaumatrope (Paris)

InnovationInnovation

1832 - Zoetrope (William Horner)1832 - Zoetrope (William Horner)

InnovationInnovation

1860 - Celluloid / Film

1888 - Kinetescope (Edison)

1860 - Celluloid / Film

1888 - Kinetescope (Edison)

InnovationInnovation

InnovationInnovation

George Milies - The Father of Visual Effects

The first edit.

“Journey to the Moon” 1902. The first science fiction piece.

George Milies - The Father of Visual Effects

The first edit.

“Journey to the Moon” 1902. The first science fiction piece.

What’s the difference between Visual Effects and Special Effects?

What’s the difference between Visual Effects and Special Effects?

• Special Effects modify the real world• Visual Effects modify the virtual world

• Special Effects modify the real world• Visual Effects modify the virtual world

Special Effects modify the real world

Special Effects modify the real world

background foreground

Action

Visual Effects modify the virtual world

Visual Effects modify the virtual world

Lens Sensor

Camera

Processing Image

Post-Production

Why create visual effects?

Why create visual effects?

• In normal photography we try to reproduce reality

• In VFX we want to create something that doesn’t exist at all• …and also, fool people into believing it is

real

• In normal photography we try to reproduce reality

• In VFX we want to create something that doesn’t exist at all• …and also, fool people into believing it is

real

Three scenarios for VFXThree scenarios for VFX

• What we want to see doesn’t exist• What we want to see is too difficult or

dangerous to photograph live• We need to “fix” something we have

photographed• What about Story?

• What we want to see doesn’t exist• What we want to see is too difficult or

dangerous to photograph live• We need to “fix” something we have

photographed• What about Story?

Format?Format?

• Whether VFX are shot on film or video depends on what the effects will be used for

• Often effects shots require much higher resolution than the viewing format

• The ability to shoot at a variety of speeds is also a determining factor

• Whether VFX are shot on film or video depends on what the effects will be used for

• Often effects shots require much higher resolution than the viewing format

• The ability to shoot at a variety of speeds is also a determining factor

Film FormatsFilm Formats

• 65/70mm• When used horizontally, it’s called IMAX

• 35mm• 16mm (used for television)• 8mm

• 65/70mm• When used horizontally, it’s called IMAX

• 35mm• 16mm (used for television)• 8mm

Film FormatsFilm Formats

Aspect RatiosAspect Ratios

• Full Aperture = 1.33:1 (Silent)• Academy = 1.37:1• WideScreen = 1.85:1• VistaVision = 1.5:1 (Silent)• Cinemascope = 2.35:1• Television widescreen = 1.78:1 (16x9)

• Full Aperture = 1.33:1 (Silent)• Academy = 1.37:1• WideScreen = 1.85:1• VistaVision = 1.5:1 (Silent)• Cinemascope = 2.35:1• Television widescreen = 1.78:1 (16x9)

Normal ActionFilm Speeds

Normal ActionFilm Speeds

• 12 fps (Silent movies)• 24 fps (all Hollywood movies)• 25 fps (all European movies)• 30 fps (video)

• 12 fps (Silent movies)• 24 fps (all Hollywood movies)• 25 fps (all European movies)• 30 fps (video)