#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>.
Jessica, I agree with your argument that these new films that employ "savvy" computer generated imaging only adds to the beauty of the film. I noticed this same effect when I saw "The Hobbit" with my family and was overwhelmed with the mystical scenes portrayed in the film. I do think the technique should be reserved for those films where it is appropriate, such as adventure and picturesque ones.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a film that represents the essence of the childish and dreamlike fantasies you used to have on warm summer days when you were 5 years old, that cannot be pictured without the use of digital imagery. If it were a film of walking down a street, that would be different. But when appropriate, as Erynn said, there should be no bar to using CGI and there should definitely be no stigma associated with it - it makes the viewing experience much more pleasurable!
ReplyDeleteI think that CGI should be used in movies only when appropriate. In movies like Oz: The Great and Powerful, I think it's wonderful, since the story does take place in a mystical, fantasy setting. However, I think that some directors have been cutting corners when making these movies or even TV shows and seeing CGI as a way to save time as opposed to going to a location and shooting it. I think that Television and Film are amazing pieces of art where creativity can really manifest itself and if directors are just cutting corners while filming and claiming that they will "fix it in post" I don't think they're making the best things they can possibly make, which just makes me a bit dissapointed...
ReplyDeleteLike Ria, I agree that CGI should only be used for movies and scenes that cannot be re-created in real life. I for one have a hard time ignoring the very blatant switches from real set pieces to CGI and back, especially so in horror movies, which have become worse and worse throughout the years due (in my opinion) to a lack of creativity with make-up and other effects. When you look at older movies, you can appreciate the effort and innovation put into the effects because of a lack of reliability on computer visuals. Nowadays, I appreciate the CGI, but only when it is used sparingly.
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