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

Illusion & Magic What makes a magic trick work? Are visual effects magic? What makes a magic trick work? Are visual effects magic?

Early History 1879 Altamira Spain 8 legged animals were drawn to show movement - Animation We’ve always been interested in capturing our real world Altamira Spain 8 legged animals were drawn to show movement - Animation We’ve always been interested in capturing our real world.

Altamira Spain

First Illusions Ancient Egypt: Wooden statues were used for prayer. Some were mechanical, using a series of pullies activated by a nearby water source.

First 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

Theatre 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.

Theatre What are the elements of theatre today?

Theatre We still use projections?

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

Innovation Thaumatrope (Paris)

Innovation Zoetrope (William Horner)

Innovation Celluloid / Film Kinetescope (Edison) Celluloid / Film Kinetescope (Edison)

Innovation

George Milies - The Father of Visual Effects The first edit. “Journey to the Moon” The first science fiction piece. George Milies - The Father of Visual Effects The first edit. “Journey to the Moon” The first science fiction piece.

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 backgroundforeground Action

Visual Effects modify the virtual world Lens Sensor Camera Processing Image Post-Production

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 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? 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 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 Formats

Aspect 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 Action Film 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)