Practical Effects Vs. CGI

I am a child of the 80s.   I grew up on films that were created 100% OPTICALLY, that is, no CGI.   All the visual effects in my favourite films have been either shot IN-CAMERA, or photochemically composited with in-camera elements. 

In my career I have fought for practical visual effects in a day where CGI seems to be the go-to tool for hollywood.    My goal is to maintain the heritage of the golden age of special effects and model and prop building.   

I never had a chance to work at the king of visual effects, ILM.  BUT in recent years I have had the opportunity to tour and work at 32TEN studios which is a practical effects house in the same location as the old stomping grounds of ILM in San Rafeal.

Behind me in this photo is STAGE D at the original ILM facility. This was in 2015

 Those doors that are in the middle.  Recognize them? 

This parking lot has been used in recent years to shoot shots for JURASSIC WORLD, TOMORROW LAND, ELYSIUM, THE LONE RANGER, but you'll also recognize this lot when it was set up for:

  You might know this stage as the shoot location for:

 This is also the stage they did all the PYRO effects for every Star Wars and STAR TREK film ever made from 1979 onwards.

I encourage filmmakers to maintain practical visual effects and have been happy to help them acheive their vision.

My model kits are made the traditional way. I am in no way trying to make made-in-in-chinese-sweat-shops-mold-injected models.   Mine are done the old fashioned way to MAINTAIN THE HERITAGE of the golden age of special effects.

Thanks for visiting this page!

Cris