What are special visual effects?

special visual effects: Visual special effect is a process in which images are manipulated outside of the original context to show absurd and attractive elements. Field effects (Special Effects) are the visual effects of the film that are performed in the filming scene.

In this article, we are going to explain what special visual effect is, introduce the types of special effects and explain the difference between visual and field effects.

What are special visual effects?

Visual special effect is a process in which images are manipulated outside of the original context to show absurd and attractive elements. Special effects include merging filmed footage and produced images (digital or optical, animals or creatures) that look real; But normally, it is expensive, time-consuming or impossible to record these things on film.

Why do they use special effects?

VFX (Visual effects) using computer generated images have recently become available to independent filmmakers with the introduction of affordable and relatively easy compositing and animation software. Visual effects, when done right, have a great effect. These effects can turn a scary monster into a real nightmare!

Today, the use of special effects inadvertising,creating promotional videoand digital marketing has also become important. Of course, it is better to familiarize yourself withvideo marketingand generally with the function ofdigital marketing agencybefore you get acquainted with this style and know its importance in digital marketing. For this purpose, we suggest reading the articleWhat is Marketing

History of cinematic visual special effects

The world's first special effects work was made in 1857 by Oscar Rejlander, who combined different parts of 32 negatives into a single image. Since then, we have reached films like The Avengers, where ninety percent of the film is made using special effects. One of the great turning points of cinema happened in 1977, when George Lucas made a movie called Star Wars, in which we saw many advances in visual and special effects technology. You can see the technology changes in all the Star Wars movies.

Another example is Mad Max movie made by "George Miller". Compare the original Mad Max (1979) with the 2019 version. The second movie is full of wonderful visual effects that make the movie more exciting. The makers of this movie used real cars during the filming, but the added visual effects made everything more interesting. Visual effects are the hallmark of a movie. These types of effects can also be implemented on online games. You feel visual effects that make you remember certain scenes.

The importance of special visual effects

Movies have the power to transport us to a completely different world and create entirely new worlds for us to explore. The technique that allows movies to do this is called visual effects. Visual effects can produce or manipulate images on screen to show what cannot be captured in live action images.

The increased use of technology in the film industry has greatly expanded what visual effects can do, and in turn, special effects artists have become the preferred technicians, supervisors, and directors of film companies in the industry. This shows how special effects can guarantee high sales, if they are produced correctly and according to the needs of the audience. Special effects are also used in video marketing strategies.

The difference between visual and field special effects

Visual effects do not occur during actual imaging; So they run after production. A visual effects artist uses special software to integrate elements with live-action footage, and his overall goal is to make the entire production look realistic; But visual effects are often confused with field effects. Field effects (Special Effects) are the visual effects of the film that are performed in the filming scene. Directors can use optical or mechanical tools to do the work.

While visual effects are considered digital effects, field effects will be considered practical effects. The special effect can be done using a model or animatronicsSound stage or on location. In addition, visual effects also include elements such as incendiary substances, fake rain or artificial make-up of the actors. Both visual effects and field effects can be used in a film, but it is the nature of the work that determines which effect should be used.

special or visual effects; Which one is better?

Actually both. Each of these two wonderful effects work well alone, but together they can affect the audience and create a "feeling".

Although the speed of development and popularity of visual effects is greater, none of them can be considered better than one. Visage effects and visual effects are used together to arouse the emotions of the audience.

types of special visual effects

Visual effects can be done during film production or they can be implemented after using special software in production studios. These effects are usually divided into the following three main types:

Computer generated images (CGI)

Computer generated images are the most common visual effect. Artists use 3D modeling objects to create elements, and those elements are then converted into 3D models on a digital computer. Computer-aided visual effects can mean any type of effect captured directly in-camera. For example, increasing the light on a screen can be one of these effects. This method is also used to makecgi advertisements, which has become very trendy today.

Green screen in special effects

Compositing is a visual technique that combines multiple images into one image. This technique is called "Chrome Cladding". Composition requires live action to be captured in front of green or blue screen. Green screens are fixed and can be replaced with a new background image.

motion recording or motion capture

The world of motion capture is another brilliant visual effect. From Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequels to Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and beyond, we can now have strange creatures created by the combination of acting and special effects.

James Cameron's Avatar is another great example of motion capture technology where many of the characters were created only after the special effects were completed. Also, the motion capture showcased an alien world with a complete ecosystem, as well as some of the best 3D effects we've ever seen.

types of field effects

There are different ways to create field effects in film. A classic example in the film industry that uses such an effect is Star Wars. Below are some of the most common field effects:

matPainting

A matte painting can be used as a background in a movie. Matte painting does not exist on set and later creates the illusion of an environment on the computer. Instead, this art is implemented in live-action films during and after the film's production. Movies have been using this technique for a long time. Iconic movies that use this art are Mary Poppins and Titanic.

stop motion

Stop Motion technique has been around for a long time. Animators and designers of puppets or 3D models use this technique. The dolls pose in different positions and then they are photographed. The skills and tools required for this technique are patience and attention to detail. Putting photos together creates the illusion of movement, and thus a video is born.

When it is asked about marketing, it must be said that stop motion can be a trump card for today's businesses for content marketing and user interaction.

Dummy organ

sculpting, molding and artificial casting techniques are used in artificial organs. The final product can create advanced cosmetic effects. Artificial limb techniques can even transform actors into otherworldly characters. A famous example of a fake organ is the movie "Edward Scissorhands".

Special effects creation software

So far we have talked about special visual effects and their types and their differences with field effects. In the following, we will introduce 3 of the best software for creating special effects:

After Effects software

One of the most famous and useful special effects software is the After Effects program, designed by Adobe to produce motion graphics, digital visual effects, and composites.

This software is used to produce digital effects for serial and cinematic films and provides features such as 3D camera tracking, rotoscoping, chroma key, etc., which provide great opportunities in creating special effects.

3D Max software

3D Max software has been used for video game development and commercial television studios for decades. This software is used in the industry of television, film, animation, 3D modeling, game development, architecture studios, etc.

In the latest update of this software, Data Channel Modifier, Mash modeling, creating surfaces and wooden surfaces, etc. are used.

V-Ray software

This software is actually a rendering engine that is very popular in the field of graphics and animation due to its high capabilities. V-Ray software can be integrated with 3D software such as Sketchup, 3DMax has Softimage.

This software is used to produce animation in movies and series, video games, architecture, etc.

visual special effects in Iran

In Iranian cinema, especially in war or action movies, special effects play an important role. This is mostly used in the form of field effects, and the kind we see in Hollywood does not exist in Iran. Field effect techniques in Iran often include explosions, shootings, bleeding due to bullet wounds, and similar cases. For the development of this industry in the country, it is necessary to provide the necessary infrastructure and train experienced personnel.

Famous movies made with special effects technique

The budget required to produce a film with special effects is high, but it leaves memorable works. In the following, we will list some of the impressive films that were made with special effects:

• Avengers: Endgame (2019) Avengers: Endgame
• Return of Superman (2006) Superman Returns
• Spider-Man 3 (2007) Spider-Man 3
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
• Avatar (2009) Avatar
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
• Alice in Wonderland (2010) Alice in Wonderland

The picture above shows a sequence from the movie "Life of Pi" before and after the special effects.

final words; Visual effects in the center of modern Iran

Visual special effects are important because, when done well, they help a filmmaker turn what's in their imagination into reality. Visual special effects can take the viewer on incredible journeys to alien worlds or dreamlike locations and really enhance the cinematic experience. If you want to use visual effects to make promotional teasers for your business, contactKanoon Iran Novin advertising agencyTamas.

Visual Special Effects DepartmentIran Navin Center provides the best services for making promotional teasers using experts in this field. You can see the samples and teasers produced by us on the pageprojects of Navin Iran Center.