Creative/conceptual examples
300
This awesome film used some interesting techniques to make the characters height difference to be exaggerated. Using different camera angles and some clever “blue screen” the two actors who are actually the same height in real life look as if there is about a 18 inch height difference. The wall of the dead part used some cool ideas to create a version of the wall coming down that looked like it had significantly more bodies than were actually used. The overall look of this film is highly stylized with some distinct colour balance that makes this film look truly unique. I could use a similar approach with the colour balance to give a slightly stylized appearance.
Smurfs 2
I love this idea have having entire 3D assets as characters interacting with real world people and environments, what better example than the smurfs. The level of detail and the excellent animation of the characters really helps to add to the level of believability. The lighting is also a major factor in tying all these elements together. I would probably not need to create an entire character from 3d but less important assets could be added for aesthetics. The main point I took away from this video is the amount of thought needed to add in CG rather than simply drag and drop models into footage.
Antman
This idea of shrinking the character and effectively enlarging the surroundings is done seamlessly in this film from Marvel. The creation of antman in 3D when he is shrunk down fits in well with the real lie footage. I imagine the way the suit is helps with a believable appearance as no skin, eyes or expression needs to be done. This is a good example of cleverly avoiding difficult subject matter with 3d, intentional or not. I would incorporate this into my work by not trying to make large scale 3d assets instead I will just try and add smaller effects/props.
Technical examples
Game of Thrones
There is such a great combination of effects in this clip to show how the often large scale scenes are made to work together with their own unique feel. The removal of certain elements and then creating the desired result with a combination of rotoscoping, chroma keying, colour grading, tracking and the use of 3D assets to create often stunning large scale scenes that would not be cost effective to do without CG. It seems to use every technical trick in the book to create epic scenery and fantasy creatures that look very real. This show is one of the best shows on television currently and the SFX team has no doubt spared no expense and cut no corners in creating a truly stunning visual outcome.
The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies
The Lord of the Rings movies are famous for massive scale armies and beautiful scenic environments that often collide in a way that results in utter destruction. The use of CG is necessary in order to achieve such a result without spending massive amounts of time and money to produce the desired result. What stood out for me more than anything with this was the particle effects. The smoke/fog/haze is so detailed that it creates such a stunning result. The fire spread across the town when the dragon is crashing through uses particles to achieve an awesome result. I imagine the battle scenes which are made up of numerous 3D rendered combatants are probably the same 3D asset multiplied and spread out with a particle effect. Lastly the scene at the end where the fight on top of floating ice takes place is researched in such detail with mocap that the end result looks pretty accurate.
Deadpool
Once again some excellent particle effects but this time used more to depict motion rather than weather. The fast paced action is blended nicely with quality CG to create some rather over the top and hilarious scenes. The fine line between ridiculous and believable is done to perfection in the form of outrageous and precise moves such as jumping from a highway bridge through a sunroof into a moving car below or the part where the vehicle flips and Deadpool gives the motorbike rider a wedgie as he flips over the top. There are also some nice rag doll effects with bodies flying out of a moving vehicle or being dragged behind. The use between green screen and then entire CG is done so well that you can only really tell what is CG because it is too ridiculous to produce any other way. The layering and colour grading combines to make the whole film seem oddly plausible.
Narrative/film technique examples
Hardcore Henry
This has to be the most interesting concept to have been used in recent memory. The idea of an entire movie being shot from first person is unheard of. The effects that go into this to make it look as visually stunning as possible while remaining in the realm of believable is so engaging. I would not use this style in my own project but I found it very unique and interesting. The layering of effects over real footage does look really good even if the view point is limited to the same point the entire film.
Vikings
This is very similar to Game of Thrones in how it depicts large scale scenes with added CG. Weather effects, boats, oceans all are put together to create the impression of real naval battle on rough seas which would be almost impossible to film. I particularly like the way the scene is created where the ocean and waves crashing on rocks is done. I would probably not create any water myself but the way the particle effects and fluid simulation is layered with weather effects help to tie the whole scene together in a convincing way.
Life of Pi
Life of Pi I thought was an excellent film and to create almost an entire movie through tracking was amazing. High quality 3D assets of animals combined with the tracking whilst on rocky water looks fantastic. I would probably not use this technique as once again I am not doing any fluid simulation but it was a great example of tracking that I wanted to include in the research.
Matt Ibbotson's DIG120 Blog 