Special effects are an integral part of animated movies and related projects nowadays. Special effects are nothing but illusions which are created in films, theater, television and other forms of entertainment media to help simulate and emphasise events that are being depicted in a story. Special effects are often abbreviated and known as SFX or simply as FX.
If you want to know what is special effects, it consist of two basic categories of optical effects and mechanical effects. Today, with the advance of film making tools, there is a greater distinction that is achieved between these two categories. While visual effects are usually incorporated digitally post production, mechanical effects are incorporated on set and as optical effects through camera.
Optical effects are usually photographic effects which are incorporated in images and film frames in the in-camera process using techniques like multiple exposure, mattes, the Schüfftan process and so on. Optical effects can also be put post production using an optical printer. This helps place actors in different backgrounds than the one where they are filmed.
When you see atmospheric effects such as wind, snow, storm in a film or a car driving by itself, it does not occur to us that it is a special effect that is being created while the film is being shot. These fall in the category of mechanical effects whereby mechanized props are usually used. These are again incorporated in the set design or in the makeup of artists.
Today, computer generated imagery or CGI has come into the special effects scenario and greatly enhanced the lengths and technology of creating SFX for films and other animated projects. Today film makers use CGI with greater control and can incorporate many different effects in their films and productions as the technologies and software in the arena of SFX keeps getting more evolved.
Needless to say, SFX is featured in many animation courses. Such courses could focus on all aspects of animation or focus on film making, pre and post production effects. SFX is also taught as specializations for animation professionals. With the growing animation film making and gaming industry, the demand is growing for such professionals. The International Academy of Computer Graphics, Arena Animation, MAAC are some of the several institutes which include SFX as part of their comprehensive animation film making programs. They also offer SFX as specialized courses for those interested in furthering their expertise in such technologies.
Related posts: