VFX, CGI And SFX: How are amazing feats created on screen? Know the difference between these techniques used in films

News India Live, Digital Desk: The world of cinema is no longer limited to only cameras and actors. Today, when we see a superhero flying on screen or see a scene of horrific destruction, modern technology is behind it. Often people consider VFX, CGI and SFX to be the same, but in reality there is a big technical difference between these three. These technologies have made the biggest contribution to the success of films like ‘Baahubali’ to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Let us understand how these technologies work and what role they play in making your favorite movies great.

CGI: When a new world is created with the help of computers

The full name of CGI is ‘Computer Generated Imagery’. As the name suggests, everything you see on the screen is completely created by computer software. It does not require any live location or camera. For example, the imaginary creatures seen in films (like the aliens from ‘Avatar’) or the cities created completely digitally are the product of CGI. It’s a type of digital sculpting, where artists create an entire world from nothing.

VFX: Combining the real world and digital art

VFX i.e. ‘Visual Effects’ is a technique where real shooting footage is combined with computer software. Simply put, things that cannot be shot with a real camera (like an actor flying or a historical monument falling) are added with the help of VFX during post-production. CGI is actually a part of VFX. The ‘green screen’ or ‘blue screen’ used in films is the basis of this technology, where the background is later changed.

SFX: real action happening in front of the camera

SFX stands for ‘Special Effects’, and it is completely different from the two techniques given above. SFX are done ‘live’ on the set during the shooting of the film. There is no computer work in this. For example, making fake rain on the set, creating small explosions, using fake blood or making an actor look scary through heavy make-up comes under SFX. In old films, when the technology was not so advanced, only SFX was used, but today a combination of SFX and VFX is used for better results.

Increasing technology craze in Indian cinema

Nowadays, the budget of Indian films runs into hundreds of crores, a large part of which is spent on these technologies. ‘Brahmastra’ and recent releases have proved that even Indian VFX artists are now doing Hollywood level work. Without these technologies, it is almost impossible to give a ‘larger than life’ experience on the big screen in today’s era.