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Computer Graphics Learning Online UK – Fun Facts about CGI
If you’ve an interest in the entertainment industry and you’re hoping to one day work in this very industry, you may wish to look into computer graphics learning online UK courses.
We’ve recently seen a surge in demand for computer graphics learning courses online all across the UK, and when you consider the numerous possibilities that computer graphics can open up for people, it’s easy to see why that is.
One of the main reasons why people interested in the entertainment industry are so drawn to computer graphics learning UK courses, is down to the fact that a key component of CGI comes from computer graphics.
You’ve all probably heard of CGI, but what exactly is it, why is it so popular in the entertainment industry, and how can learning computer graphics help you become a CGI ace? Here’s a look at several interesting CGI facts you might not have known.
What is CGI?
CGI is an acronym for ‘Computer Generated Imagery.
CGI is basically described as being the use of computer graphics and imagery used within art and media.
We think of CGI in terms of huge Hollywood blockbusters such as Avatar and Marvel superhero movies like the Avengers series, yet CGI is also used on a much, much, smaller scale too. CGI can be used for small social media marketing campaigns for local businesses, or even for welcome pages on websites.
Social media and landing pages
CGI can be 2D or 3D renderings, objects, or animations and can be used everywhere from social media and landing pages to TV shows and in Hollywood blockbusters, as well as everything in between.
If you yourself are thinking of forging a career in the visual effects (VFX) industry, taking up one of our computer graphics learning online UK courses is certainly the route to go.
Interesting CGI facts
Now that we know a little more about what CGI is, let’s delve a little deeper and learn some fun and interesting facts about computer generated imagery.
CGI origins
Nowadays, CGI is used in pretty much every movie you can imagine, but where did it all begin?
Well, CGI actually can be traced back to 1973, where it was used in Michael Crichton’s thriller ‘Westworld’.
Just 3 years later, Fred Parke and Edwin Catmull who were at the University of Utah, created an innovative CG face and hands to be included in Westworld’s sequel in 1976, Futureworld.
Star Wars’ CGI changed the Sci-Fi world
Star Wars is a movie franchise which needs no introduction. If you’ve seen any of the 9 Star Wars movies, along with the spin off movies, and the TV and streaming shows, you’ll know that CGI plays a hugely important role in bringing these worlds to life.
Star Wars episode IV A New Hope, was the world’s 3rd Hollywood movie to feature CGI effects when it was released in 1977.
One of the reasons why Star Wars was so hugely popular was because of the CGI and special effects, which looked so realistic. In fact, in 1978, Star Wars won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, amongst many others.
Terminator 2 was way ahead of its time in terms of CGI
As the years ticked by, CGI was becoming more and more widely utilized in movies of all genres. In particular, Sci-Fi movies which utilized shots of space such as Alien, utilized CGI effects.
It wasn’t until the early 1990s however, that we really saw the potential that CGI presented to movies thanks to James Cameron’s sequel to The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
T2 had special effects which still hold up incredibly well to this day, and at the time were considered ground-breaking and revolutionary in the movie world.
Computer graphics learning online UK courses
If you are an aspiring special effects ace and you want to master computer graphics, computer graphics learning online UK courses will show you many of the skills and techniques needed to create effects like those seen in Terminator 2, not to mention the countless movies since.
CGI helped ensure Jurassic Park became the smash hit we know and love today
Initially, when Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park was in production the initial plan was to use life-sized hydraulic puppets and stop-motion techniques to bring the dinosaurs to life.
The problem is that stop-motion isn’t the best and doesn’t always hold up well on-screen. Realizing this, the VFX experts working on the movie worked in secret on creating a CGI T-Rex.
When movie execs saw test footage of the CGI T-Rex, they absolutely loved it and investment into the movie was increased, plus they backed off and allowed Spielberg and his crew the space and creative freedom needed to make one of the best movies in the history of Hollywood.
Toy Story ushered in a new era of CGI
In 1995, Disney released Toy Story. This was a movie that showed the potential that computer graphics presented as it was the first fully computer-generated animated movie.
Needless to say, Toy Story was a huge success, and it was thanks to the techniques used on this movie, along with its success, which meant that we would see animated movie production companies being created, such as Disney Pixar, and Blue Sky Studios from 20th Century Fox.
Since Toy Story, we’ve seen some incredibly entertaining, and sometimes moving, computer-generated animated movies, including numerous sequels, the Despicable Me series, Wall-E, Up, Finding Nemo, and many more besides.
None of these movies would have been possible without computer graphics so if you yourself have dreamed of one day making your own animated movies, make sure you look into computer graphics learning online UK courses and you can start to make your dreams a reality.
