History of Movie Special Effects and Tutorial for CGI Effets

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History of Movie Special Effects and Tutorial for CGI Effets

8 February 2024 Amanda J. Brook Senior Product Manager

Summary
Discover the fascinating history of movie special effects and learn about the methods to add CGI effets on the video. Also, you can find a professional video editing software for your DIY video effects.

Table of contents

1. Many first steps in the technical application of film special effects

2. Demystify the “magic” special effects in reality

3. Use Renee Video Editor Pro to add special effects

1. What is Renee Video Editor Pro?
2. How to use the video effects function of Renee Video Editor Pro?

I. Many first steps in the technical application of film special effects

Since its debut in 1895, stop-motion animation has seen significant advancements in technology within the film industry. Today, “special effects” has become a commonplace term. Computer Graphics (CGI) has taken over traditional animatronics since the 1990s, becoming the driving force behind seamless cinematic visuals.

Industrial Light & Magic, based in San Francisco, is a renowned film special effects production company. It has revolutionized the industry by delivering visual effects production services for over 300 films. Notably, “Star Wars,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Transformers,” and “Harry Potter” series are among the many movies associated with Industrial Light and Magic.

Since its establishment, Industrial Light & Magic has played a pivotal role in shaping the visual effects industry. From pioneering the use of cameras and Photoshop to revolutionizing motion capture technology, the company has consistently defined the rules of the game.

· In 1977, the first movie “Star Wars” to use dynamically controlled cameras.

· In 1982, Light & Magic invented a computer processing method called “source sequence” and applied it to the science fiction film “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan”. Scenes.

· In 1985, Light & Magic produced the first computer-generated character “Stained Glass Man” in the movie “Young Sherlock Holmes”, which also laid the foundation for the production of many virtual characters in the Star Wars prequels.

· In 1991, the T1000 created by Light & Magic for “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” became the first computer-produced protagonist in film history.

· In 1994, “Jurassic Park” became the first time in film history that a character created by digital technology could breathe, have real skin, and have muscles and action textures.

II. Demystifying the magic special effects in reality

Remember the awe-inspiring moment of watching a special effects blockbuster? Were those seemingly real scenes actually captured? Now, uncover the hidden “magic” of movie special effects.

In fact, there are generally two ways to achieve this “magic”: using special sets or props during shooting trick . Examples include explosions made on the spot or building mechanical models.

Although this method is risky, it lacks the ability to produce impressive and challenging effects. To achieve desired results, utilize visual effects and post-process the captured images using software like Photoshop.

avatar

In movies, CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) technology allows for the creation of characters and scenes that are impossible or challenging to control in reality. "Jurassic Park" was groundbreaking for its extensive use of CGI animal images.

Not only animal images, but also all kinds of “alien” of Pegasus and Starry Sky can be created by computer 3D CGI model accomplish. A series of graphic composite models were created, and the final model was then colored, textured and shaded by the designer according to the film’s style settings.

After the image design is completed, it is necessary to find a way to make it move, which can be achieved through Digitally linked CGI models The achievement of each part is like putting strings on a marionette. This process is called ” to bind “.

capture action

Unlike completely virtual characters produced by CGI technology, actors can be transformed into characters set in movies through motion capture technology. For example, the cyborg images in “Alita” are all derived from the capture of the expressions and movements of real actors.

green screen

Green screens are used for “keying,” which is to cut out the captured image from the background in post-processing. After the movie image is “picked out”, the production team can freely play to replace scenes or replace elements, such as sending helicopters at will.

simulation scene

Designers will use particle effect software such as Houdini to generate countless particles, and “direct” them to simulate volcanoes, sandstorms or waterfalls by setting particle size, shape, color and movement mode.

Movie special effects are magical, but not many can be used in daily life. If you want to add some special effects to the videos you shoot, you can use Renee Video Editor Pro to achieve it.

III. Use Renee Video Editor Pro to add special effects

In daily life, using Renee Video Editor Pro is recommended to add special effects to personal videos, making the picture look unique and alternative.

1. What is Renee Video Editor Pro?

Renee Video Editor Pro is a versatile video recording and editing software that provides features such as screen capturing, post-production, and format conversion. It is designed to meet a variety of multimedia recording requirements, including capturing PC screens, playback videos, and audio sources. Users have the capability to add custom watermarks to their recordings and enhance their videos with a wide range of transition effects, filter styles, and personalized subtitles during the post-production process.

Renee Video Editor Pro – Multi-function Video Editing Software

Renee Video Editor Pro professional video edit tools

Screen RecordingRecord screen and webcam in Windows computer.

Cut Videos & AudiosUsers are free to cut videos and audios clips with setting start and end time.

Multiple Edit ToolsMerge, crop, rotate, cut and transform video easily. Change and add background music, subtitles and remove watermark from video.

Format ConversionSupport to convert videos and audios into different formats.

Screen Recording Record screen and webcam in Windows computer.

Multiple Edit ToolsCut Videos & Audios Users are free to cut videos and audios clips with setting start and end time.

Multiple Edit ToolsMerge, crop, rotate, cut and transform video easily. Change and add background music, subtitles and remove watermark from video.

Format ConversionSupport to convert videos and audios into different formats.

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2. How to use the video effects function of Renee Video Editor Pro?

① After downloading the software to the computer, open it and select the “Video Toolbox” button, and click to enter.

select video toolbox in Renee Video Editor

② At this time, the button interface of “Add File” will appear on the interface, and you can import the video you want to add special effects to.

③ After adding the video, select the “Effects” option button in the header menu bar to enter the video editing interface.

④ There are three special effect options below the playback scroll bar, the leftmost one is the “Filter Effect” function, you can change the color of the video content with special effects.

click to add video filter in renee video editor pro

click to adjust mts file in renee video editor

The middle button is the “zoom effect” function, you can change the size of the video screen.

The rightmost button is the “Add Volume Effect” button, and you can also make special effects changes to the audio of the original video.

add audio effects in renee video editor pro

If you want to record web movies, screen teaching courses, or edit and crop videos with exclusive watermarks, try using Renee Video Editor Pro. It offers powerful functions.

select screen recorder to record desktop in renee video editor pro

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