Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Weta Featurette

-What are the Pros and Cons of Computer Generated Imagery?

Computer Generated Imagery(CGI) can help us to create all fantastic things in the movie easily even it is imposssible to find out in the world. For example,Avatar,Star War and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Because of motion capture,giving us a feeling of realistic, just like the dream world really exist. And any dangerous scenes such as falls and car crashes can also be shown in the movie by CGI. Also, Creating the 3D animation and virtual character by CGI can enhance the qualities as opposed to the cartoon in the old days such as Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.That provide the chance for children to enjoy the high qulity animation.

However,the disavantage of CGI is relying on computer graphics excessively. That will makes fillm maker lack the creativity because they will trend to pursue the visual effects only such as spectacle but disregard the true meaning of the story which should shown in the film.

-Will Computer Generated Imagery make actors obsolete? Yes or No? Why?

No. CGI can't instead of actors totally in the progress of film making. This is because the motion capture-the most important technology for the CGI-is depend on digitizing and tracking the human movements. That means human actors is necessary for producing CGI such as virtual characters.

-Should digital characters be nominated for acting awards competing with humans?

No. Digital character is produced by humans and all of  their action(or performance) appeared in the film both come from human actors(markers).The CGI producers just apply the movement of human actors to such digital character. And it is a fact that such characters never act on their own mind and pay the efforts or show their talent to take part in  movie shooting.

-What are the advantages and disadvantages of motion capture?

Advantage: making the movement of all things appeared in the film realistic and closer to the reality.

Disadvantage:Becuase of the laws of physics,any exaggerated and fantastic movement can not be represented. And the performance of the actors(markers) may be not satisfying enough, which also affect the outputs of CGI.

-Should animation strive for photorealism?

No. animation and photorealism both have their own artistic value. Also,the skills required

 for them is different. We can't judge which one is better but at the aim of pursuing the illusion of reality, we can find the style,technique and the character of the painters from photorealism paintings while animation only simulate the reality to make the shape and movement through technology but it is more motional.