A TV commercial about a Computer Graphics Imagery (CGI) movie got me wondering if actors are becoming redundant except for voices: Yes, this is stop action but it could have been done computerized. I'm not complaining as much as commenting about a trend. We're watching: James Stewart Henry Fonda Shirley Jones Bob Wilson
Hmmm.... Haven't seen that one yet for some reason. Gonna fix that! As far as CGI actors goes do not underestimate the talent required to do the voices - nor the ability of CGI to eventually supplant those talents. It probably will not happen during the lifetime of anyone who can appreciate a great, old classic movie when story and acting mattered more than special effects - but hey.....that's progress for you!
Since before "Jurassic Park" first allowed theater goers to view Dinosaurs, CGI has already shown it can replace "reality" with a fictional realism that is virtually indistinguishable from what we would perceive as reality on the screen. There have already been commercials with actors and actresses that have passed away, making cameos to shill products that didn't exist during their lifetime. None of this is new. That being said, CGI is a tool. An amazing tool that allows for great creative expression. Almost anything you can imagine, can now be visually represented with amazing detail and realism. But I don't believe it ever replaces flesh and blood, and the skills and talents of real actors. The original 1933 King Kong, amazed audiences of it's time with stop motion and several ground breaking special effects techniques. People were amazed at the "realism" of King Kong. It was the Jurassic Park of it's time. The tools improve, and what is possible to render expands. What could be "faked" using todays technology is actually scary. But as far as entertainment goes? I don't think the tool replaces the users of the tool.
Concur - ish. .....remember that in entertainment, the viewer is end user. The tools here might eventually be...the actors and the diminishing cast of support talent required - and YES....the actor-tool pun was mostly unintended. The next REAL hurtle and the REAL unsung talent is and always has been the writers. How long before AI simply becomes.......I? Will it? CAN it? There's an old saying about humans reaching the summit of knowledge.......
I saw a story earlier this week (PBS?) that claimed: 2 year olds preferred their iPads than other toys (aka., leggo, pickup sticks, lincoln logs) kids using iPads think things are 2d So as much as I remember Saturdays of cartoons, CGI comes close to the ban of my previous work existence, "Power Point Engineering." Bob Wilson
20 month old grandson, loves cars and trucks, legos, books, playground, etc. but as soon as you turn the tv, computer, phone, etc. on, it's like a magnet. i suppose we were the same way with television. important to set boundaries and find a balance. kids are addicted to cgi because it is all they know. i'm trying to introduce old time cartoons to develop an interest before it is too late. mostly selfish reasons, so we can watch together
Ray Harryhausen was inspired by King Kong 1933. He could be regarded as Puppetmaster until CGI matured. I hope some others here had a chance to meet him. He was a cool dude. BTW December 14 is Ray's birthday.
