of VFX than we cover ahead, such as animation, matte paintings, and miniatures. But for our list we wanted to primarily focus on the four main types of VFX, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CGI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Computer-generated imagery<\/a> is the most common form of VFX. CGI is made entirely with VFX software, so it doesn\u2019t use any real-world footage or manipulation. Studios like Pixar have become famous producing 3D animated<\/a> films that are completely computer generated, like the Toy Story<\/em> franchise and Finding Nemo<\/em>. CGI is created using software, but it isn\u2019t only for animated films. Marvel has CGI elements which are then composited into the video, as with Thanos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compositing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compositing is the process of combining multiple images into one. One of the most common compositing<\/a> techniques is filming with green screens. This is used in all Marvel movies, and many others with a lot of complex visual effects. The actors film their sequences in costume with a green screen behind them. In editing, the green screen is keyed out<\/a>, and the background, effects, and additional characters are added in with computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion capture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Motion capture, or mocap, tries to replicate the authenticity of a live performance in digital form. Actors typically perform their scenes on a mocap stage while wearing mocap suits covered in tiny dots. The advanced camera systems record those moving dots and turn it into data. VFX artists then use that data to generate believable digital characters. A good example of this is the actor Andy Serkis as Caesar in Planet of the Apes<\/em> or Gollum in The Lord of the Rings<\/em> trilogy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotoscoping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rotoscoping<\/a> is an animation technique where motion picture footage is traced over frame by frame to create highly realistic movement. The technique dates back more than 100 years, and was used for many classic Disney animated films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs<\/em> and Alice in Wonderland<\/em>. More modern examples of films that use rotoscoping include Waking Life<\/em> and A Scanner Darkly<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the differences between SFX and VFX?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Special effects have been used in some form in visual media for over 150 years. Oscar Rejlander created the world\u2019s first special effect in 1857. He combined different parts of 32 negatives to create one single image<\/a> titled \u201cTwo Ways of Life (Hope in Repentance).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first motion picture special effect was produced by Alfred Clark in 1895 for \u201cThe Execution of Mary Stuart<\/a>.\u201d The actors were reenacting the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots. First, an actor dressed as Mary laid her head down on the chopping block. Then, the camera stopped, the actors froze, and the actor was replaced with a dummy. The camera started again, and the executioner brought down his ax to chop off the dummy\u2019s head. Practical special effects like this would dominate the film industry for the next 100 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many people consider the terms VFX<\/a> and special effects (SFX) interchangeable, there is actually a big difference between them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the key differences between VFX and special effects include:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Visual Effects<\/strong><\/td>Special Effects<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Create effects digitally using a computer.<\/td>Use tangible elements like prosthetic makeup and pyrotechnics.<\/td><\/tr>
Realized in post-production.<\/td>Recorded live on set.<\/td><\/tr>
Digital effects that improve the quality of the visual storytelling.<\/td>Practical effects<\/a> that work with the story as the plot progresses.<\/td><\/tr>
Enhance, create, or manipulate images for film and other types of media.<\/td>Used on-location and rely on models, animatronics, and makeup.<\/td><\/tr>
Produce elements, like fire and rain, digitally.<\/td>Use practical elements, such as fire, fake rain, and snow machines.<\/td><\/tr>
Usually more costly, time consuming, and difficult to produce because they\u2019re made with computers and require skilled designers.<\/td>Tend to be less expensive, faster, and easier to produce.<\/td><\/tr>
Can be more affordable for large-scale sets, such as adding snow to a mountain landscape.<\/td>Difficult to do cost-effectively for large-scale scenes like grand landscapes.<\/td><\/tr>
Can look \u201cfake\u201d if not done well.<\/td>Typically look realistic because they are recorded as they happen in the real world.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Best of Both Effects Worlds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On most movie sets today, cinematographers rely on a combination of VFX and SFX. There might be cases where you\u2019d use SFX rain in the foreground with the actors and VFX rain for wide shots, for instance. Another example would be if a character is using a flamethrower. They could hold the physical prop but the actual flames are added in using VFX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many directors prefer to use special effects as much as possible to give scenes a more authentic feel. This gives viewers a better sense of actors reacting to the heat of an explosion and the intensity of a stunt. Other directors prefer the control that VFX gives them and getting the exact shot that they imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some use visual effects and special effects simultaneously. In Disney\u2019s 2019 adaptation of Dumbo<\/em>, the VFX crew created photorealistic 3D clay models of the titular elephant. These physical models were then digitally scanned into a computer and rendered for animation. They even used life-size physical models of Dumbo for the actors to sit on and interact with to ensure they nailed the visual effects scaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of visual effects:<\/strong><\/td>Examples of special effects:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Slow motion bullets in The Matrix<\/em>.<\/td>Zombie makeup in The Walking Dead<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr>
Flying dragons in Game of Thrones<\/em>.<\/td>Explosions in most action movies.<\/td><\/tr>
The Hulk in any Marvel movie.<\/td>Gunshot wounds and blood in Tombstone<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr>
Yoda in the new Star Wars<\/em> movies.<\/td>Yoda in the original Star Wars<\/em> movies.<\/td><\/tr>
The liquid metal terminator in Terminator 2<\/em>.<\/td>The miniature town model in Beetlejuice.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
The car chase scene in Nightcrawler<\/em> uses rotoscoping and color correction.<\/td>Matte painting backgrounds in The Wizard of Oz<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr>
Neighborhood crime scene in Zodiac<\/em>.<\/td>Stop-motion in The Fantastic Mr. Fox<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Create VFX?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Watching movies can spark a lot of VFX inspiration, but you can\u2019t exactly master the art form from your local multiplex. There are numerous courses and online tools you can use to learn how to create VFX. Some universities even offer degree programs that specialize in VFX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can either create VFX from scratch or get a head start by using existing stock video. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Scratch <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to create VFX on your own, first you\u2019ll need some visual effects software. While the best options usually cost money, some free VFX software is available, with varying featuresets. Having a good background in drawing, light composition, modeling, and photography can all help you produce better VFX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To create VFX from scratch, you\u2019ll also need to record your own footage. You can do this using a smartphone or any other digital device with a camera. To record your footage, you will need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a VFX shot list<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you are creating a composite shot, think of each shot as another layer. Start with the background and work your way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose your locations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ask yourself: Where is your video or film taking place? What specific considerations do you need to make based on your location? Will you need to film footage from multiple locations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Match the lighting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If the lighting in your background footage does not match the lighting of your VFX, it will be instantly noticeable. Make sure the lighting matches across all your elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Existing Stock Video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting with stock video will give you a great big head start. Some stock footage<\/a> is even created specifically with VFX in mind. Leveraging these resources should make it much easier to create your composite footage and the end results will likely look cleaner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another alternative to using stock footage is filming your own videos and then adding stock visual effects, like snow or explosions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find many stock visual effects in the Storyblocks library. We also offer a wide selection of templates<\/a> for After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and many other popular applications. Templates make it fast and easy to insert pre-made VFX into your videos across a range of categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Software Can I Use to Create VFX?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no shortage of video editing applications out there. If your goal is to create convincing VFX, you want software that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n