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Vertigo: First animated film
John Whitney created the first animated film. He experimented with mechanical animation techniques on devices made from WW II machinery. The film is based on a novel by Boileau-Narcejac, D'entre Les Morts. This film was created with computer animation to create spiral drawings that will seem like it's triggering the protagonist's vertigo.
Media, Stikky. “The History of CGI in Movies.” Stikky Media, 19 May 2020, www.stikkymedia.com/history-of-cgi-in-movies/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024. -
Sine Curve Man - First Digital Morphing of a face
The Sine Curve Man was made within tha same year, using sine curve mapping on a mainframe computer to create a smooth transition from one face to another. This boosted the use of morphing in movies and even music videos. This helped push CGI into the world of feature films.
Media, Stikky. “The History of CGI in Movies.” Stikky Media, 19 May 2020, www.stikkymedia.com/history-of-cgi-in-movies/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024. -
Star Wars
As CGI was expanding, George Lucas created the Star Wars films. During Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the compositor team created rendered spaceships, cities and characters even some of the sets and planets were made by special effects and CGI. In Episode IV: A New Hope, the team mixed live-action and digitally-created sequences together to create a sense of realism and connection with the characters.
Englehardt, Natasha. “Star Wars | Visual Effects through the Years - Platt College San Diego.” -
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
"The Wrath of Khan was one of the first films to extensively use electronic images and computer graphics to speed production of shots." (““Star Trek II” Includes the First Completely Computer-Generated (CGI) Cinematic Image Sequence in a Feature Film : History of Information”)
Star Trek II was one of the first films to have a completely generated image in its film. Sparked a new generation of CGI in cinema. -
Total Recall
Total Recall has taken special effects to the next level by creating lifelike puppets, miniature models, and x-ray machinery! There was only one CGI element in the entire film. It was the sequence in which they matched Arnold Schwarzenegger's movements to a digitally designed skeleton shown for a split second in the movie. But it pushed the limit in the CGI industry! (“Total Recall at 30 and How It Introduced the World to CGI”) -
The Matirx
During the making of The Matrix, CGI had already made its way into the filming industry. The Matrix heavily relied on CGI. The CGI made the movie look ahead of it's time and made it seem real. The use of CGI and filmmaking in The Matrix, inspired other flimmakers to create more films with CGI and a serious tone/storyline.
(“How the Matrix Movie Changed Film Forever”) -
Lord of the Rings
Despite all the hate for the movies produced by Peter Jackson and other directors. The films are composed of enhanced CGI and lots of visual effects. Gollum, Trolls, and creatures are entirely made with CGI. Though the CGI creatures made in the film weren't well done and stayed in the shadows, the technology and mechanics behind them were beyond their time.
('Rings of Power' had good CGI---until these guys showed up) -
The Polar Express
The Polar Express was one of the first movies ever made that was made entirely with CGI and captured technology. Attaching motion sensors on people like Tom Hanks to capture every movement. The animators didn't want to miss any details when creating the film, making it as lifelike as possible. They illustrated each hair from scratch animating it to fall and move realistically. This process is used in many other films! (Farinholt, Lenny. “The Polar Express and the Era of Motion Capture)
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Elephants Dream
Elephants Dream was the first CG animation produced! Started as an idea by Ton Rosendaal, and turned into the first Open Movie Project. It was also considered to be one of the first-ever European HD DVD. A huge push in the European film industry. “Elephants Dream Analysis - Filmnosis.” Filmnosis.com, 2024, filmnosis.com/shortfilms/elephants-dream/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024. -
The Planet of the Apes
Wes Ball and other crew created the most lifelike animated creatures that could be made with technology. Using the same techniques as those used in Lord of the Rings and Polar Express, they managed to capture every movement the actors make, to transfer over to the digital world to be transformed into creatures, such as apes. They pushed it further by making it seem like the ape's eyes had thoughts behind them. (Maciak, Phillip. “The One Thing That Can Save Cinema from C.G.I. Oblivion.”)