Movies are simply extensions of the imagination. They’re stories told in such a way that people feel transported into the minds and bodies of the subjects. To truly create a real-world representation of what’s in their creative minds, a filmmaker takes the help of visual effects in movies, AKA VFX. These include blasts, sparks, strange creatures from different realms, and other interesting types of VFX. But unlike other facets of filmmaking, not much is known about this department. Let’s explore some of the types of visual effects that one gets to see in movies. Some of these may be surprising.

6 Special Visual Effects in Movies

1. Miniatures

Using miniatures is probably one of the oldest special effects in movies employed by movie makers. This entails building realistic models of certain environments – such as vehicles, buildings, and sometimes even entire cities. Actors have to put up the performance of their lives while acting next to tiny versions of otherwise large things! These are built by the production crew and can be digitally touched up if needed.

2. Matte Painting

Another interesting VFX in film making is called matte-painting. There are many ways to do this. In the past, an artist would paint a hyper-realistic painting on a huge scale. The modern way to achieve this is by creating the same thing digitally. These images are almost photographic and will usually depict scenery that a set can’t. They act as backdrops to a scene. These were used in Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz, as well as several other legendary movies.

3. Animation

Who today doesn’t know what animation is? Filmmakers use different kinds of animation to create several types of special effects in movies. There have been truly ground-breaking animated movies that have burst through boundaries faster than the speed of light. These days, some animated movies are so realistic that one would have to ponder over which parts are real, and which parts are reel.

Animation has been around for a long time. Classic animated movies include Mary Poppins and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? There are many ways to animate movies. Several beautiful styles have emerged over the years. Some are hand-drawn and then digitally enhanced, others use CGI, modeling, and rendering – but whatever the method, they create special experiences for the viewer.

4. Doubling

There are many special effects in films created by a practice called doubling. This effect creates twins or clones in a scene. Filmmakers use this to make awe-inspiring situations, such as seeing two versions of the same character on-screen. That’s an effect that’s particularly helpful when you cannot have actual real-life twins on screen. This particular effect is quite challenging for actors, as they have to act against themselves. In the past, it was much tougher but thanks to new age technology, that process has become easier.

5. CGI

Computer Generated Imagery, called CGI, allows people to put up anything on the screen. They created from scratch – digitally. This can include huge landscapes, entire armies of people, and more. The options are quite limitless, all one needs is a talented CGI animator and they’re good to go. But most people don’t notice when a particular element is CGI, so this effect goes largely underappreciated.

CGI is mixed with other media to make stunning film sequences. It can fill in certain missing elements and can help cast and crew with certain scenes. CGI is an expensive practice and requires a big technical crew and years of expertise. It also takes specific software and hardware.

6. Stop Motion

An interesting effect is called stop motion animation. King Kong is one such movie that used it to great success. It is when fully posable models are clicked one frame at a time. This creates a very specific texture and gives stop-motion animation a distinct look. Dolls, toys, clay, and many other materials can be used to create this effect. But, it isn’t easy as the objects have to be filmed in many poses per second of film. This creates the illusion of movement. Stop motion animators also use mattes, animation, miniatures, and other effects, to create the ultimate visual effects in movies.

Are you intrigued by the world of visual effects? Do you want to try your hand at filmmaking to show the world the realms that lie within your imagination? Then you must train yourself under dedicated and experienced guides. You can find such teachers at one of the best colleges in Mumbai for filmmaking and animation, DICE-VFS (School Of Entertainment Arts). They have an intensive specialization built on strong fundamental concepts. These include entertainment arts, industry-led theories, and hands-on experience.

Come and begin your filmmaking journey with a bang at one of the top colleges in Mumbai!