Visual effects - Definition and Overview

Visual Effects is the term given to a sub-category of Special Effects in which images, or frames of a movie, are created, recorded, and/or manipulated for film and video. Visual Effects usually involve the integration of live-action footage with computer generated imagery or a variety of other elements, to create evironments or scenarios which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on film. They have become increasingly common in big-budget films, but have also recently become accessible to the amateur filmmaker with the introduction of affordable animation and compositing software. Visual Effects are frequently integral to a movie's story and appeal. Although most of Visual Effects work is completed during Post-production, they usually must be carefully planned and/or choreographed in Pre-production and Production. Visual Effects may be subdivided into four categories:

• Models - miniature sets and models, animatronics
• Matte Paintings and Stills - digital or traditional paintings or photographs which serve as background plates for keyed or rotoscoped elements
• Live-action effects - keying actors or models through greenscreening (and bluescreening)
• Digital animation - modelling, lighting, texturing, rigging, animating, and rendering computer generated 3D characters, particle effects, digital sets, backgrounds, etc..

Special Effects also cover another sub-category of Physical Effects.