VFX Reactor

Your comprehensive guide to visual effects breakdowns and analysis, sourced from VFX Artists React videos

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300

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 33
Main Challenge:
Creating realistic slow-motion fight scenes with cg backgrounds
CompositingSlow motionColor grading

1917

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 29
Main Challenge:
Creating seamless transitions to maintain the illusion of a single take
Key Innovation:
Using digital doubles and projection mapping to blend different shots
Digital doubleCompositingProjection mapping

2012

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 7
Main Challenge:
Simulating large-scale destruction
Key Innovation:
Use of bullet physics for realistic destruction
Destruction simulationPhysics simulationBullet physicsParticle systemFluid simulationCompositing3d modelingFluid simulationFire simulationSmoke simulationCompositing3d modeling3d tracking

Cats

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 7
Main Challenge:
Uncanny valley
Key Innovation:
Use of digital fur technology
Digital doubleFacial riggingMotion captureCg hairCompositing3d modeling3d tracking

John Wick

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 7
Main Challenge:
Creating realistic muzzle flashes and smoke effects
Key Innovation:
Adding realistic muzzle flashes and smoke in post-production
Muzzle flashesCompositingSmoke simulationLighting

Apollo 11

Type: Documentary
VFX Artists React to the Moon Landing
Main Challenge:
Shallow depth of field
Key Innovation:
Stopping down to extreme levels
Miniature workRear projection3d modelingDepth of fieldLighting rigSingle light sourceVacuum simulationReflective surfaces

2001: A Space Odyssey

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to the Moon Landing
Main Challenge:
Matching lighting between elements
Key Innovation:
Using static paintings for backgrounds
Static paintingDeep space lightingPerspective shiftsSmoke simulationPractical effectsIn-camera effectsIn-camera effectsLong exposure photography

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 34
Main Challenge:
Animating complex facial expressions
Key Innovation:
Replacement animation for facial expressions
Stop motion animationReplacement animationMotion controlCompositing

Casper

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 34
Main Challenge:
Creating a fully expressive cg character
Key Innovation:
Facial capture rig for expressions
Cg character animationCompositingMotion control

Flubber

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 34
Main Challenge:
Animating a transparent and reflective character
Key Innovation:
Referencing real materials for cg creation
Cg character animationCompositingMotion controlReflection mappingRefraction mapping

Birdemic: Shock and Terror

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 34
Main Challenge:
Low budget constraints
Key Innovation:
Basic compositing techniques
2d animationCompositing

Reign of Fire

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 28
Main Challenge:
Creating realistic fire effects
Key Innovation:
Using real fire with a propane flamethrower
Fire simulationMiniaturesCg integration

Harry Potter

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 28
Main Challenge:
Creating realistic dragon animations
Key Innovation:
Using komodo dragon as a reference and remodeling for a more menacing look
Dragon animationCg integrationWire removalPractical effectsRotoscopingCgi2d animation3d modeling3d trackingCompositingDigital matte paintingMotion controlLens distortion correctionFluid simulationParticle systemLighting rigMatchmoving

The Last Dance

Type: Tv show
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 28
Main Challenge:
Matching lip movements with original footage
Key Innovation:
Using deepfake technology and face replacement techniques
DeepfakeFace replacement

Terminator: Dark Fate

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 28
Main Challenge:
Creating realistic digital doubles
Key Innovation:
Using cg for digital doubles and de-aging effects
Digital doubleCg integrationDe-agingCg facesSlow motionDeep fake technologyCgiCompositingBackground replacement

Hercules

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 28
Main Challenge:
Creating the illusion of a character growing in size
Key Innovation:
Using camera movement and optical effects
Optical effectsCamera tricks

Bollywood 3

Type: Tv_show
VFX Artists React to BOLLYWOOD Bad & Great CGi 3
Main Challenge:
Compositing dust and smoke
Key Innovation:
Using volumetric smoke effects
CompositingVolumetric lightingMotion blurDepth of fieldCgiGreen-screenRotoscoping

Zero

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to BOLLYWOOD Bad & Great CGi 3
Main Challenge:
Scaling actors realistically
Key Innovation:
Frame-by-frame manipulation
CompositingCgiRotoscopingMotion capture cleanup

Ra.One

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to BOLLYWOOD Bad & Great CGi 3
Main Challenge:
Creating realistic train sequences
Key Innovation:
Using green-screen for actor integration
CompositingCgiGreen-screenRotoscoping

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Type: Movie
VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 30
Main Challenge:
Seamlessly integrating live-action stunts with cg elements
Key Innovation:
Using a combination of stuntmen, digital doubles, and actors
Digital doubleStunt coordinationCompositingDistortion effectsText on screenAnime linesPractical lightingCg elements