The evolution of CGI

Summary

The video script explores the effectiveness of CGI in film, using the Black Panther fight scene as a contrast to the realistic CGI in Pirates of the Caribbean. It discusses the importance of adhering to real-world physics and detailed observation for convincing CGI, drawing parallels to the works of 17th-century artists Van Der Helst and Heda. The script emphasizes that successful CGI involves understanding and replicating the laws of physics and attention to detail, questioning whether such detailed work can be considered art.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The final fight scene in 'Black Panther' is criticized for its unrealistic feel, likened to a computer game.
• 🖼️ The effectiveness of CGI in visual effects is contrasted with the realism achieved by 17th-century artists Van Der Helst and Heda.
• 📽️ CGI was first introduced in 1976 and has become ubiquitous in films and media, driven by public demand and technological advancements.
• 🚀 The use of CGI has skyrocketed due to the digital revolution, making advanced technology readily available for creating immersive worlds.
• 🎨 Artistically, more CGI is not always better, and creativity can be sparked by limitations.
• 🌐 The Black Panther scene lacks realism due to the absence of a real environment reference and the disregard for the laws of physics.
• 💡 Successful CGI, as seen in 'Pirates of the Caribbean', involves meticulous attention to detail, including accurate lighting and physics.
• 🔍 The laws of physics are crucial for creating convincing CGI, including understanding how light interacts with different surfaces.
• 🖌️ Van der Helst's paintings demonstrate a mastery of rendering materials and capturing the nuances of light and shadow.
• 🤔 The script challenges viewers to find and discuss instances in art and CGI where the laws of physics are not entirely complied with.
• 💬 The video concludes by inviting viewers to consider CGI as an art form and to engage in discussions about its artistic merits.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the final fight scene in the movie 'Black Panther' as described in the script?

The main issue is that it lacks realism, feeling more like a computer game due to the absence of a real environment reference and the weightless appearance of the animated elements.

How did the use of CGI evolve from its first introduction in 1976?

CGI evolved from its first introduction in Steven Spielberg’s 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' to being widely used in movies, TV shows, and commercials, with significant advancements in technology and public demand for immersive experiences.

What is the significance of the liquid robot in 'Terminator 2' in the context of CGI history?

The liquid robot in 'Terminator 2' is significant as it showcased advanced CGI techniques for its time, demonstrating the potential for realistic and dynamic computer-generated characters.

Why is the interaction between the computer-animated Davy Jones and a real person in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' considered a successful use of CGI?

The interaction is successful because it demonstrates a complex understanding of skin texture, movement of tentacles, and perfect lighting matching with the real person, creating a convincingly realistic scene.

How do the principles of 17th-century artists like Van Der Helst and Heda relate to modern CGI artistry?

These artists' mastery of light, reflection, and detail in their paintings serves as an inspiration for modern CGI artists, emphasizing the importance of understanding and applying the laws of physics and observing reality for creating convincing imagery.

What aspect of the 'Black Panther' fight scene makes it feel less realistic compared to the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' scene?

The 'Black Panther' scene feels less realistic due to the lack of a real environment reference, the weightless appearance of elements, and the smooth, tension-less lighting that lacks a clear single light source.

What is the importance of understanding the laws of physics in creating convincing CGI?

Understanding the laws of physics is crucial for CGI artists to create realistic animations by accurately depicting how light interacts with objects, how objects reflect light, and how they move and behave in a physical environment.

How does the script suggest that artists can improve their CGI work?

The script suggests that artists can improve their CGI work by closely observing the world around them, paying attention to details, and applying their understanding of physics and anatomy to their medium.

What role does the concept of 'the devil is in the detail' play in both traditional painting and modern CGI?

In both traditional painting and modern CGI, 'the devil is in the detail' emphasizes the importance of meticulous attention to small details such as lighting, texture, and reflection, which contribute to the overall realism and believability of the artwork.

How does the script challenge the viewer to engage with the content?

The script challenges viewers to engage with the content by inviting them to find inconsistencies in the laws of physics in Van der Helst's paintings and to share their thoughts on whether CGI should be considered art.

What is the script's stance on the artistic value of CGI?

The script does not explicitly state a stance on the artistic value of CGI but encourages viewers to consider and discuss whether they believe CGI is an art form.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Art of CGI: Bridging the Gap Between Reality and Imagination

This paragraph delves into the world of CGI in film, questioning why some visual effects are convincing while others fall short. It draws a parallel between modern CGI and the detailed realism of 17th-century artists Van Der Helst and Heda. The paragraph outlines the history of CGI, starting from its introduction in 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' to its widespread use in blockbusters like 'Avengers' and 'Star Wars'. It discusses the public's demand for immersive experiences and the digital revolution's role in advancing CGI technology. However, it also emphasizes that from an artistic perspective, more technology does not always equate to better art, and that limitations can foster creativity. The paragraph uses the 'Black Panther' fight scene as an example of CGI that lacks realism due to the absence of a real environment reference and unrealistic lighting and physics. It contrasts this with the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' scene, where CGI is seamlessly integrated with real elements, demonstrating an understanding of physics and attention to detail.

05:04

🖌️ The Finesse of Detail in Art and CGI

The second paragraph continues the discussion on the importance of detail in creating convincing art, whether it be traditional painting or modern CGI. It highlights the need for artists to closely observe the world to capture the nuances of light, shadow, and texture accurately. The paragraph invites viewers to consider whether CGI qualifies as art and encourages them to share their thoughts and suggestions for future episodes. It concludes by emphasizing that understanding the laws of physics and anatomy, along with meticulous attention to detail, is crucial for creating believable art, whether in traditional mediums or through computer-generated imagery.

Keywords

💡CGI

CGI, or Computer Generated Imagery, refers to the application of computer graphics to create or contribute to images and videos in art, printed media, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators, and simulation. In the context of the video, CGI is central to the discussion of visual effects in movies, where it is used to create immersive and fantastical worlds. The script discusses the evolution of CGI from its early days in films like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' to its widespread use in modern blockbusters, illustrating how CGI has become an integral part of the film industry.

💡Black Panther

Black Panther is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The movie is mentioned in the script as an example of where the final fight scene's CGI did not feel realistic. This is used to highlight the discussion about the effectiveness of CGI in creating believable environments and characters, and how it can sometimes fall short of achieving the desired level of immersion and realism.

💡Visual Effects Artists

Visual effects artists are professionals who create visual effects for film, television, and other media. They use various techniques and tools, including CGI, to produce images that would be too expensive, difficult, or impossible to capture on camera. The script discusses how some visual effects artists are more successful than others in convincingly using CGI, which is tied to their ability to observe and replicate the laws of physics and reality in their work.

💡Physics

Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The laws of physics are the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of the physical world. In the video, the importance of understanding and applying the laws of physics to CGI is emphasized, as it contributes to the realism of the visual effects. The script contrasts scenes where the laws of physics are ignored, leading to a lack of realism, with those where they are applied effectively, resulting in more convincing visuals.

💡Lighting

Lighting in visual effects refers to the way in which light sources are simulated or manipulated to illuminate scenes and characters. Good lighting can enhance the realism and mood of a scene. The script uses the example of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' scene to demonstrate how accurate lighting can make a CGI character like Davy Jones appear to interact naturally with a real person, highlighting the importance of lighting in creating believable CGI environments.

💡Realism

Realism in the context of the video refers to the degree to which visual effects and CGI accurately represent the physical world and the laws of physics. The script discusses the challenges of achieving realism in CGI, pointing out that a lack of reference to real environments and overly smooth character rendering can detract from the sense of realism. Realism is crucial for creating immersive and convincing visual effects.

💡Van Der Helst

Van Der Helst was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his mastery of light and shadow, and his detailed rendering of fabrics and textures. The script draws a parallel between the detailed work of 17th-century artists like Van Der Helst and the attention to detail required in modern CGI to achieve realism. His paintings are used as an example of how understanding the laws of physics and the intricacies of light and material can lead to incredibly lifelike artwork.

💡Davy Jones

Davy Jones is a fictional character from the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film series, known for his unique and complex appearance. In the script, the CGI rendering of Davy Jones is used as a positive example of how visual effects can be used to create a character that interacts convincingly with real actors. The detail in his skin, tentacles, and the matching of lighting with the real environment are highlighted as key elements of successful CGI.

💡Rembrandt

Rembrandt was a Dutch master painter and etcher, known for his strong use of light and shadow and his ability to convey emotion and depth in his works. The script mentions Rembrandt in the context of the detailed and realistic rendering of light and materials in his paintings, which is compared to the level of detail and realism that modern visual effects artists should strive for in their CGI work.

💡Is This Art

Is This Art seems to be the title or theme of the video series being discussed, which explores the boundaries and definitions of art, particularly in the context of modern visual effects and CGI. The script ends with a call for viewer engagement, asking whether they consider CGI to be art and inviting suggestions for future episodes, indicating that the series aims to provoke thought and discussion about the evolving nature of art in a digital age.

Highlights

The final fight scene in the movie Black Panther feels like watching a computer game.

Some visual effects artists are more convincing with CGI than others.

CGI's link to 17th century artists Van Der Helst & Heda is discussed.

CGI was first introduced in 1976 in Steven Spielberg's film.

George Lucas adopted CGI for the iconic Light sabers in Star Wars.

The first 3D figure appeared in Young Sherlock Holmes in 1985.

CGI usage has skyrocketed due to public demand and the digital revolution.

Artistic standpoint suggests that more CGI is not always better.

Limitations can breed creativity in the use of CGI.

The Black Panther fight scene lacks realism due to the absence of a real environment reference.

Laws of physics don't seem to apply in the Black Panther scene due to weightless animations.

Characters and environment in the Black Panther scene appear too smooth with no real tension in lighting.

The Pirates of the Caribbean scene showcases a perfect match of lighting between real and animated characters.

Understanding the laws of physics is key to convincing CGI, as seen in Pirates of the Caribbean.

400 years ago, painters like Van Der Helst mastered the application of physics in their artwork.

Van Der Helst's paintings show insane knowledge and rendering of surface materials.

Subtle shadows and the complexity of skin in Van Der Helst's paintings demonstrate attention to detail.

The black silk in Van Der Helst's paintings absorbs and reflects light, showing an understanding of physics.

Even Van der Helst had some inaccuracies in complying with the laws of physics.

Understanding physics or anatomy is not required to be a scientist; it comes from observing the world and paying attention to details.

Each light particle, complexion of the skin, and shadow contributes to the convincing nature of CGI.

The debate on whether CGI is considered art is opened for discussion.

Transcripts

You might say that there's something off about the final fight scene in the movie Black Panther.

It kind of feels like you are watching a computer game, right?

So, why is it that some visual effects artists convince with their use of CGI..

and others don't?

And how is this linked to 17th century artists Van Der Helst & Heda?

Computer generated imagery or CGI for short..

is everywhere, and often is really impressive.

Avengers, Game of Thrones, Star Wars..

random tv-commercials..

they're all packed with computer animation.

It was first introduced in 1976 in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

George Lucas was quick to adopt CGI in the first Star Wars Trilogy for the iconic Light sabers.

And the first 3 dimensional figure appeared in Young Sherlock Holmes, back in 1985.

This was impressive, but not as impressive as the liquid robot in Terminator 2. 15 00:01:21,500 --> 00:01:26,000 This is 1990, everybody.. That's 29 years ago!

The use of CGI has skyrocketed.

On the one hand, this has to do with the publics demand..

that immerses you in another world.

And on the other hand it has to do with the digital revolution that we're in.

the technology is available and just keeps getting more and more advanced.

However, from an artistic standpoint..

More is not always better.

And limitation breeds creativity.

Alright, with that in mind: let's go back to that Black Panther fight scene.

There are a couple of reasons why it just does not feel realistic.

First off: There is no reference to a real environment..

everything is animated, from the background to the characters themselves.

Because of that, the laws of physics don't seem to apply..

everything seems to be more or less weightless.

And secondly: the characters and their environment look a little too smooth..

and there is no real tension in the lighting whatsoever.

There's no obvious single light source.

Compare all of this with this stunning 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean scene..

where a computer animated Davy Jones interacts with a real person.

Check out the complexity of the skin..

the movement of the tentacles..

and how they have matched the lighting perfectly to the real person.

it's also about understanding the laws of physics.

It's about artists observing and understanding reality..

in every miniature detail and transporting that to their medium.

Some 400 years ago, two painters mastered this principle..

Why does this still life look like a photograph?

Well, not only is it extremely well painted..

the laws of physics are applied.

The light source not only illuminates the objects..

it reflects on its surfaces, and in its turn..

these surfaces become light sources that illuminate other objects as well.

The devil is in the detail.

The visual effects artists from Pirates of the Caribbean did this perfectly in their rendering of Davy Jones.

See how the lighting interacts between the real actor and Davy Jones? It's spot on!

Or check out this impressive painting by Rembrandt's biggest competitor of the time: Van der Helst.

His knowledge and rendering of surface materials was insane.

Like this gold brocade jacket, and this harness, perfectly reflecting the room. 54 00:04:23,500 --> 00:04:27,000 His understanding of physics and anatomy were key to his success.

And again, the devil is in the details.

Like the subtle shadows in between the hands and their objects..

the complexity of skin..

or the way the black silk absorbs and slightly reflects the lighting in the same time.

But even Van der Helst wasn't perfect.

See if you can find some things that do not entirely comply with the law of physics..

and let us know in the comments. You can find links to the painting in the description.

You don’t have to be a scientists to understand the laws of physics or anatomy.

You just have to closely observe the world around you..

and pay attention to details to be genuinely convincing.

Each light particle..

each complexion of the skin..

each shadow..

It's all about the detail.

But what do you think, is this art?

let us know whether you think CGI is art or not..

and let us know your suggestions for new episodes of Is This Art. Thanks for watching!