CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) has become a very prominent and accessible tool in our modern media culture. That said, it’s honestly quite discouraging to here people argue that “CGI is getting worse” or “There’s too much CGI.” I’m of the firm belief that CGI has gotten so much better these days than people seem to give it credit for.
One thing that’s worth noting is that CGI is used in places you wouldn’t expect outside of movies. It’s used in advertising, music videos, DVD covers, and especially video games. We essentially see CGI everywhere without even realizing it. That box of cereal you had for breakfast? The cover art was most likely enhanced with CGI. The latest music video from a pop star you’re a fan off? CGI was probably a key component to the visuals. CGI is also predominately used in video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, God of War, The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2 and more.
Another thing CGI is often used for is taking the place of impossible to achieve stunts in movies and TV shows shot in live action. This is most evident whenever a character is falling from a great distance and a CG body double is used in place of the actor. This also applies to characters who can fly or when a character is sent flying into an object (sometimes with the famous Wilhelm Scream added for comedic effect).
There’s this notion that CG artists are often underpaid and overworked in order to achieve these lifelike effects you see on screen. This seems to be true for some companies (i.e. Rhythm and Hues), but I can’t confirm or deny these accusations for ALL CGI companies. All I know is that their hard work and ingenuity was not in vain and they definitely deserve more credit and respect.
Ultimately, CGI is a very valuable and clever tool that has a place in our modern media landscape. It’s something used in our everyday lives and we don’t often seem to notice. I hope this gives you a better appreciation for the work that goes into the media you consume.
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