If you have seen 300, or Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, then you know what I am talking about when I say CG sets: real actors shot against green screen and composited over 3D backgrounds in post-production. Both examples above were simply amazing—technically and visually—and they made me ask the typical “what are they going to do next?” question. But until I heard about this next example, all I could think was that “next” would be something like more seamless integration of live action footage and CG backgrounds, or better acting in front of green screen.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, is a good example of how one can create something amazing, using an innovating approach instead of iterating on a technology trend—and with a very limited budget too! Created by David Fisher, a visual effects artist, this experimental movie is basically a remix of the 1919 classic, that uses original sets as backdrops. Fisher and his team made a scan of an original print from Germany, and selected frames without any characters to be used as digital sets. Then footage of present-day actors are composited over those backgrounds, creating a very stylized look, a modern complement to the German Expressionism aesthetic of the original. A tedious task, especially considering the low budget, so kudos to everyone involved.
I have not seen the movie yet so I cannot comment on it, but from what I have seen in the trailer it does have that low-budget feel to it. But that’s ok, because what is amazing for me here is not the technical accomplishments, or even the storytelling. We have the trillion-dollar movie industry for that. I am more interested in the concept, the ingenuity. Very inspiring.
Visit The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari website for the trailer, synopsis, and images. Also, the September issue of Computer Graphics World has some more information on the production.
2 comments ↓
Wow… looks awesome. When it comes out we should get together and make a night of it. Is is going to be released in theaters?
Not sure if this is going to be actually released in theaters Scott. The only venues they mention in the site are festivals and conventions, although there is a link to an independent theater in NYC: http://www.twoboots.com/pioneer/caligari.htm
Interesting enough, the original will be shown this Thursday (10/16) at the Muddy River Smokehouse in Portsmouth, NH. I might actually go as it’s been quite a while since the last time I watched it.
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