#10: Sorry, We Don't Want to See Undressed People Running Around the Forest Riding on People Dressed Up Like Dragons             

                It is safe to say that the movie industry has significantly accelerated over the past few decades. This acceleration, however, is not simply the result of a maturation over time. Though, in its own way, I guess it most definitely is--rather indirectly, of course. Nevertheless, the main parcel which has allowed this industry to flourish is the gift of computer-generated imagery (CGI), an amazing technological innovation that has allowed animators to create strikingly superhuman forms and special effects. This invention alone, dare I say it, is what significantly elevated the magic in which movies are supposed to foster.  

                In the past couple of weeks, critics have been infuriated with the newest rendition of The Wizard of Oz--Oz the Great and Powerful. New York Times' Manohla Dargis criticizes the film for its "computer generated atmosphere" which has severely overwhelmed the film and leeches away the charm emitted by the 1939 original. Along with her, many columnists also agree that such imaging ruins the magic of cinema and is what will, eventually, play a hand in the collapse of the film industry. I, for one, beg to differ. You see, the computer generated scenery in Oz the Great and Powerful only adds to the mystic brilliance of Oz itself. The colors, the mystery, the unreal nature of such a design illuminate the artistic innovations which were drawn from the minds of the filmmakers.  Woody Schultz, an actor and chairman of the National Performance Capture Committee, believes that such scenery and special effects allow audiences to visualize and get a grasp on a completely fictional world. It opens up realms upon realms of possibilities that only previously lived and thrived in our imaginations. It makes storytelling achievable and gives soul and heart to storylines. To emphasize my point further, take the film Avatar for example--you know, the one with the blue people. Now imagine that movie without the use of computer generated designs. Basically, we'd just see a bunch of nearly naked individuals running around the forest, riding on people who are dressed up like dragons. Not too appetizing is it?   Thus, I reiterate again, CPI has truly breathed life into films today. With the utilization of this imaging, we are able to see massive blue creatures soaring from canopy to canopy on captivating dragon-like creatures. We are able to feel the thrill and fear of living under the Pandoran moon. With such imagery, we are able to see the impossible.

                Granted, I do understand that some opponents are critical of CPI on the premise that it generates surreal, fake looking scenery which causes individuals to question the artistic ability of the animators. However, that is exactly what they are supposed to achieve. CPI is supposed to create scenes that are unfathomable to humans, scenes that lure and captivate individuals. Of course the scenes are unreal. If they were real, why in the world would producers spend millions of dollars to digitally generate them?  It's the mystical, supernatural elements of computer generated imaging that has ushered in a new epoch of movie making, an era that has no boundaries, no horizons, no limitations. Just imagination.

Sources

Hornaday, Ann. "Oz The Great and Powerful." The Washington Post. N.p., 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/oz-the-great-and-powerful,1208997/critic-review.html>.

Schultz, Woody. "A New Era of Filmmaking." The New York Times. N.p., 12 Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/03/07/are-digital-effects-cgi-ruining-the-movies/cgi-has-inspired-a-new-era-of-filmmaking>.

Wolchover, Natalie. "Beware of the Uncanny Valley." The New York Times. N.p., 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/03/07/are-digital-effects-cgi-ruining-the-movies/beware-of-the-uncanny-valley>.