This document provides an overview of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and special effects terminology. It discusses CGI, which is the application of computer graphics to create visual scenes for films, games, etc. It also discusses Weta Workshop, a New Zealand-based company specializing in visual effects, props, and creatures for films. Weta Workshop has worked on many major films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The document defines various special effects abbreviations and provides examples of both physical and CGI-based special effects.

1. home page
objectives and overview: unit 4
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CGI: computer generated
imagery
•
special effects: An effect
that cannot be reasonably
achieved by normal means,
as for example by the digital
manipulation of previously
filmed footage
•
DFX: digital effects
abbreviation
2. please complete the practice activity.
VFX: visual effects
abbreviation
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1. please take notes on each page  including the vocab!
In the margins of each page
SFX: special effects
abbreviation
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this project is intended to help you understand how to
create CGI effects (computer-graphics). these are
used in multimedia such as movies, videogames,
online games etc. they include digital effects, visual
effects, and special effects.
next page

2. caricatures
An Article about Weta Workshop:
Weta Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar, New Zealand, producing effects for
television and film. Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger as RT Effects, Weta Workshop has
produced creatures and makeup effects for the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior
Princess and effects for films such as Meet The Feebles and Heavenly Creatures. A digital division, Weta Digital,
was formed in 1993.
•
CGI: computer generated
imagery
•
special effects: An effect
that cannot be reasonably
achieved by normal means,
as for example by the digital
manipulation of previously
filmed footage
•
SFX: special effects
abbreviation
•
VFX: visual effects
abbreviation
•
DFX: digital effects
abbreviation
Weta Workshop's output came to worldwide prominence with director Peter Jackson's film trilogy The Lord of the
Rings, producing sets, costumes, armour, weapons, creatures and miniatures. It supported the creation of
Reclaiming the Blade (2009), a documentary film on stage combat, historical European and Asian
swordsmanship.
Movies Weta has worked on: The ABCs of Death (2013), I (Tamil) (2014) - Post-production/Filming, The Wind in
the Willows (TBD) - Post-production, The Hobbit: There and Back Again (2014) - Post-production/Filming, Mad
Max: Fury Road (2013) - Post-production, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - Post-production,
,Elysium (2013)[9], The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn
(2011), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), The Devil's Rock (2010), Daybreakers (2010), ,Avatar (2009), The
Lovely Bones (2009), Under The Mountain (2009), District 9 (2009), The WotWots (2009), Born of Hope
(2009)[10], The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), ,Eel Girl (2008), 30 Days of Night (2007), The Water
Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007), Black Sheep (2007), Jane & the Dragon (2005–2006), The Chronicles of
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), King Kong (2005), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), The Legend
of Zorro (2005), ,I, Robot (film) (2004), ,Hellboy (2004), Van Helsing (2004), ,Peter Pan (2003), Master and
Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Last Samurai (2003), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
of the Ring (2001), etc.
The company name comes from the weta, "New Zealand's coolest little monster, a bizarre and prickly prehistoric
cricket".
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

3. development of
History of CGI
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•
CGI: computer generated
imagery
•
SFX: special effects
abbreviation
•
DFX: digital effects
abbreviation
They can also be used by a home user and
edited together on programs such as Windows
Movie Maker or iMovie. The term computer
animation refers to dynamic CGI rendered as a
movie. The term virtual world refers to agentbased,
interactive
environments.
Computer graphics software is used to make
computer-generated imagery for films, etc.
•
Availability of CGI software and increased
computer speeds have allowed individual artists
and small companies to produce professionalgrade films, games, and fine art from their home
computers.
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This has brought about an Internet subculture
with its own set of global celebrities, clichés, and
technical vocabulary. The evolution of CGI led to
the emergence of virtual cinematography in the
1990s where runs of the simulated camera are
not constricted by the laws of physics.
VFX: visual effects
abbreviation
•
•
special effects: An effect
that cannot be reasonably
achieved by normal means,
as for example by the digital
manipulation of previously
filmed footage
•
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the
application of computer graphics to create or
contribute to images in art, printed media, video
games, films, television programs, commercials,
and simulators. The visual scenes may be
dynamic or static, and may be two-dimensional
(2D), though the term "CGI" is most commonly
used to refer to 3D computer graphics used for
creating scenes or special effects in films and
television.
CGI

4. why is it important?
understanding the principles of CGI
Practice CGI
1.
2.
special effects: An effect
that cannot be reasonably
achieved by normal means,
as for example by the digital
manipulation of previously
filmed footage
•
SFX: special effects
abbreviation
•
VFX: visual effects
abbreviation
•
Indicate these in your notes:
CGI: computer generated
imagery
•
Determine which ones are SFX (physical) and which ones are DFX (CGI).
3.
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Below you will find examples of traditional special effects (physical effects)
and digital special effects (CGI).
DFX: digital effects
abbreviation
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.