So, uh... now that filmmakers can achieve anything

[I_Hate_U_All]

on film thanks to cgi, are they becoming lazier?

Instead of having to say "well we'll have to figure out a way to make it work using practical methods, guys. Let's be creative."

Are they saying "Don't worry. Let's fix it in the computer later."

As a star wars fan, I can see the evolution of special and visual fx captured in each star wars film, with the first being the most limited and the last revenge of the sith having limitless potential thanks to Lucas' advancements in cgi tech. However while the first star wars is more moderately crafted, using more well written dialogue to drive the story than fx. The later films use more fx to drive the story than dialogue. It seems there to service no real story taking place. For example, "Miss you I will, chewbacca."

Am I the only person to notice this shifting towards a more limitless film medium we have today in which absolutely anything one can imagine is possible through computer technology that it overpowers the stories. I know I can't be.

Well now that cgi's opened so many doors, it seems to me that some have been closing. These doors are basic storytelling standards like good characterization, acting, plots, action, creativity. And I beg you not quickly assume I'm thinking about this in black and white terms. It's all very grey in terms of whether all movies today are emphasizing fx over story. There are decent films and there are garbage films, just as there's always been. I'm just going to put this out there for open discussion and don't have any concrete view set on the matter myself at this point on whether the freedom filmmakers have today is more detriment than advantage.

Your thoughts?

 

[Catman]

Depends on the filmmaker. Some filmmakers care about story and others are like George Lucas who don't care.

 

[Tempest19]

Raimi is actually using part physical effects to bring Venom to life! So kickin' it old school (and yeah, I did just say that-) is still alive and very present. Kudos to Raimi.

 

[Motown Marvel]

it doesnt make them lazier...but certainly less creative.

 

[Tempest19]

Remember the good old days of Jurassic Park? Now that's working your ass off!!! I mean, they built scale models of A LOT of those dinosaurs and then enhanced that with Special Effects. Now that's movie magic-

 

[I_Hate_U_All]

I might have to change my name to I Love U All instead. Very interesting points here...

What's also interesting to me is to wonder what some of our fav movies would have been like if they were made today. Would Stan Winston have had a career and became such a brilliant make-up and fx artist? Scary thought...

Would Yoda have been jumping around like a cartoon in empire strikes back? thats why I think sometimes limitation can lead to greatness in films. It forces them to as you say tempest, "work your ass off" and we see the results of that hard work on film. CGI's not easy either but it is very different from the old days of make-up and real live actors in a real world, during real climate changes. With the advent of digital photography and filmmaking, I wonder now how things are going to change. The technology is all still very young.

Where I believe it'll truly be put to the test of its limits is in James Cameron's next film. He's proven to me to be a master story teller who doesn't allow the fx to overpower the stories. I hope more film makers follow in his footsteps. Spielberg is like this too, but being a friend of lucas, I think the over reliance on cgi has rubbed off on him a little bit.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Depends on the filmmaker. Some filmmakers care about story and others are like George Lucas who don't care.

Precisely.

19th century New York was recreated on the lot of Cinecitt studios in Rome. When George Lucas visited the massive set, he reportedly turned to Scorsese and said that sets like that can be done with computers now.
(Gangs of New York)

 

[Catman]

Remember the good old days of Jurassic Park? Now that's working your ass off!!! I mean, they built scale models of A LOT of those dinosaurs and then enhanced that with Special Effects. Now that's movie magic-

Spielberg is one of the best when it comes to visual effects.

Precisely.

19th century New York was recreated on the lot of Cinecitt studios in Rome. When George Lucas visited the massive set, he reportedly turned to Scorsese and said that sets like that can be done with computers now.
(Gangs of New York)

I have nothing against CGI but you can't have an entire movie in CGI. In 20 years the technology would have improved and the Star Wars prequels will look like crap. Building sets is the best way to go. It won't age!