VFX FUNDAMENTALS

CGI - Computer Generated Imagery. This refers to graphics used to create or enhance images.

COMPOSING - The combining of visual elements, such as live-action footage and CGI, into a single cohesive image.​

MOTION CAPTURE - The process of recording patterns of movement digitally, especially the recording of an actor's movements, for the purpose of animating a digital character in a film or video game.​

POST-PRODUCTION - The stages after filming, such as editing, colour correction, sound design and VFX.​

HDR - High Dynamic Range. Adds greater brightness ranges and colour depth to create more impactful and realistic visual effects. ​

PANNING - Camera movement technique. Involves horizontally rotating the camera from fixed a position.

TILTING - Camera movement technique where camera remains fixed but rotates vertically, either up or down. ​

KEYING - technique used to remove a specific colour or range of colours from an image or video footage, allowing for insertion of new backgrounds or elements seamlessly.​

PIPELINE - Organized stages of post-production where VFX and CGI are applied to film or television projects.​

ROTOSCOPING - VFX technique where artists trace over live-action footage frame by frame to create a matte or silhouette that can be used to isolate or integrate new elements to a scene.​

TRACKING - Accurately locating and matching the motion of objects or camera movements in a sequence.​

VFX - Visual Effects. The creation, manipulation or enhancement of images for films and other media.​

PREVIZ - Previsualization. The process of visualizing scenes or sequences in a film or video before actual production begins.
RENDER - Creation of computer-generated images or animations from 3D models and other visual elements.​

RENDER FARM - A high-performance computer system designed for rendering computer-generated imagery.​

PARALLAX - The perceptual difference in an object's position when seen from different vantage points, creating the illusion of depth and motion onscreen.​

PLATE - A VFX Plate is a piece of footage specifically shot to be used in VFX work, serving as a blank canvas for adding CGI or other elements.

GREEN SCREEN - Chroma key screen, tool used in film and video production to create visual effects by replacing a solid-coloured background with a different image or video.​

FOREGROUND - The part of a scene that is closest to the camera.​

BACKGROUND - The part of a scene that is furthest from the camera.​

MOTION CONTROL - The use of robotic camera equipment to create programmable, precise, and repeatable camera movements. 

STORYBOARD - A visual representation of a film sequence, consisting of a series of drawings or images that illustrate how a film will unfold.