Game of Thrones, 2011-2019
Daenerys Targaryen's chemistry with Drogon was an important plot point in the 'Game of Thrones.' In this scene where the 'Mother of Dragons' rides her pet, she manages to maneuver him with ease while wearing a determined look. Like many portions of the show, this shot also involved visual trickery.
Emilia Clarke did not have to do a lot of work in the foreground since the ones behind the camera took care of it. She just had to sit on a giant mechanical shell which moved in periodic intervals to simulate the movements of a flying creature.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 2012
Ian McKellen revealed that he broke down into tears during the filming of 'The Hobbit.' Due to the extensive use of green screens, the actor who played the role of Gandalf felt that he could not give his best. With a significant part of the film taking its course in a CGI environment, technology has been used to the fullest!
In the frame, we can see Bilbo Baggins looking into a distance while standing in front of tall mountains and a mystical building. This scene was enacted in a low-roof studio and was digitally altered in post-production to add more nuances and better lighting.
Robocop, 2014
These filmmakers can teach you how to make the most of the environment to digitally enhance the visuals! In a VFX breakdown of this scene, we noticed that there was no use of green screens at all. Instead, lush greenery and party lights were utilized as a backdrop for filming.
Robocop is a technological creation that looks just like a human and has AI characteristics. For this shot, Joel Kinnaman was wearing a striped t-shirt and had to stand still. The computer artists used some of their magic on this scene to transform him into a futuristic-looking cyborg!
Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2016
Helena Bonham Carter's confidence is something that we all would like to have! She stole the show by playing the role of an eccentric redhead queen in the second installment of the 'Alice' series.
In the final cut of the scene, her body is shrunk to give the illusion that she has a massive head. Plus, there are elements like a grand throne, and a few candle stands added to the frame. While the graphic artists have done a great job with the details, we can all agree that Carter has done equally well when it comes to expressions!
The Walking Dead, 2010
The series broke new ground when it came to showing a zombie apocalypse on TV and gained cult status in no time! Andrew Lincoln plays the role of a sheriff who wakes up in a devastated town. In the show's first episode, he reaches Atlanta on a horseback and witnesses hordes of vehicles abandoned on one side of the road.
The entire scene was a CGI marvel, wherein an empty railway dock and a small green screen were used. We are astonished to see hundreds of cars, dozens of buildings, and a skyline made out of thin air!
Elysium, 2013
The Matt Damon starrer is about a fictional habitat and the dynamics between its residents. Although the film did not appeal to the audience, it was praised for its visual spectacles! The futuristic designs we saw in the movie were created by VFX artist Philip Ivey.
'Elysium' was filled with high-octane action sequences that required the intervention of computer imagery. This scene was shot in a vast storehouse with a blue screen in the background. In post-production, we observed the area turn into a hangar with an extensive deportation shuttle coming in the picture.
The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013
There are only a few luxuries that Jordan Belfort cannot afford, and this might be one of them! When he and his wife take a trip to Europe, we see them taking a stroll on the jetty. But in reality, they were walking in a studio filled with props and chromakeys.
Often, travel and permit restrictions make it challenging to shoot in exotic locales. Green screens come to the rescue of crew members in such instances. Plus, it comes in handy if the filmmakers decide to show a ferocious lion on screen!
Game of Thrones, 2011-2019
Thomas Brodie-Sangster played the part of Jojen Reed, who encounters a dire wolf named Shaggydog during his expedition. The animal accompanies Brodie-Sangster and his friends for a small part of their journey.
This required the use of special effects since it wouldn't have been easy to shoot with Inuit dogs while outdoors. A Canadian studio was used for the shooting where a trainer was around at all times. Using CGI, a forest was added in the backdrop, and the dog's proportions were increased to match that of a dire wolf!
Everest, 2015
The adventure film is based on the story of a team that braved one of the worst blizzards ever. Taking the cast and crew to the world's highest peak wouldn't have been a great idea, so the team chose to go with green screens instead.
This juncture in the film is a pretty nerve-wracking one! But pictures from behind the scenes made us realize that it is comparatively less tense. By placing intricate green curtains, the production team left no stone unturned in recreating the natural calamity in the studio.
The Great Gatsby, 2013
We'll give you a spoiler alert - most of the film is CGI! The Baz Luhrmann reboot of 'The Great Gatsby' was a visual spectacle that used every possible trick in the book. Green lawns, grey skies, and blue screens were a regular feature during the shooting of the film, which was later used for digitally superimposing images.
The vivid imagination of Luhrmann is evident from this recreation of 1920s New York City. Using just a few people, cars, and lights, he was able to create a bustling American nightscape!
Deadpool, 2016
With great power comes even greater use of green screens! The wacky antics of Ryan Reynolds in 'Deadpool' mandated the use of visual effects. For his mutant appearance and several other action sequences, visual trickery helped in digitally altering the shots.
Throughout the movie, Reynolds often pauses to break the fourth wall. In one such scene where he is hanging upside down and talking to us, there is an array of buildings behind him. It turns out that the cityscape was all deception, and there was just a green screen behind him.
Everest, 2015
In this emotionally uplifting shot, Rob Hall talks to his wife before embarking on a journey of a lifetime. He is seen sitting on a rock in the Himalayan basecamp with numerous tents and climbers around him. Much to our surprise, it was shot in an urban setup with many buildings around and no snow!
Jason Clarke actually sat in front of tall green screens that were erected for this particular shoot. Besides this scene, 'Everest' has taken the help of technology in many instances to show the harsh weather conditions and terrains on screen.
Boardwalk Empire, 2010-2014
The visual effects producer Glen Allen called it his most complex job to date! Every episode of 'Boardwalk Empire' was shot like a feature film, making it one of the most expensive shows of all time. The boardwalk set alone came with a price tag of $2 million!
Despite the expensive sets, the team had to turn to green screens from time to time. They used it to show two giant steamships in one of the episodes to give the scene a period look. It was the practical thing to do since hiring a steamer would have burnt a hole in the producer's pockets!
Gravity, 2013
Shooting an outer space flick comes with its own set of challenges. Right from wearing stuffy costumes to working in a dimly lit environment, it encompasses every nightmare of an actor. Alfonso Cuarón's 2013 film was no exception!
Sandra Bullock handled some heavy-duty equipment in a set filled with chromakey screens. Although her outfit was nowhere close to a real space suit, she had to wear motion tracking sensors. Lo and behold, with the magic of VFX, she turned into Dr. Ryan Stone, who does a spacewalk to fix her shuttle.
Oz the Great and Powerful, 2013
After Oz finds himself in a jagged peaks environment, his hot air balloon crashes into a stream. For this shot, James Franco was just sitting in a basket on an elevated platform while being surrounded by blue screens. The surface of the dais was wobbly to simulate the motion of a falling balloon.
Franco's expressions had us convinced that he was actually treading in strong currents, but in reality, there was no water involved in the shoot. Later, the VFX team added many layers to the scene, including mountainous terrains and frothy waters.
Game of Thrones, 2011-2019
Defying all stereotypes for a hero character, Arya Stark was portrayed as a tough, smart, and yet affable girl. We got to see different dimensions of her across a period of eight seasons in the series.
It might seem easy, but it requires exceptional acting skills for a person to emote while staring at a blank wall. Here Maisie Williams seems to be looking into the distance, while in reality, she is staring at a big blue screen. Using the dynamics of chromakeys, the producers managed to successfully shoot the series in different locations and conditions.
The Legend of Tarzan, 2016
Hollywood witnessed many accidents while filming animals in the 20th century. But with technology coming into the picture, we can now bring realistic visuals to the screen without any element of risk. In 'The Legend of Tarzan,' computer imagery was widely used to create the jungle and its inhabitants.
This scene from the film just required a green screen and a morph suit-clad performer to show Akut, a ferocious gorilla. The actor in question is no Andy Serkis, but he seems to be giving all he's got for the shot!
300: Rise of an Empire, 2014
Blue screens were a natural choice for director Zack Snyder since they are easier to color correct and have lesser a spill effect. In this scene, Xerxes lies down in his grand palace's bedroom, amidst many artifacts. During post-production, the VFX team just had to add some hue and fire to give us the perfect shot.
While they could have gone full CGI for this part, the filmmakers chose to keep the backdrop as real as possible. The crew went as far as designing the props and a portion of the palace too!
Life of Pi, 2012
Ang Lee's heartwarming story explored the relationship between a young boy and a tiger stuck on a lifeboat. With a significant portion of the tale taking its course in the ocean, it required a pool with over 300,000 gallons of water and massive blue screens.
In this scene, we can see Pi and Richard Parker looking into a distance. While chromakeys came handy in creating a CGI tiger, they also helped in forming the ocean's horizon. Shooting such a scene would have been mission impossible for the filmmakers if not for the technological interventions!
Avengers: Infinity War, 2018
'Avengers: Infinity War' is the best example to show that making a superhero movie involves a ridiculous amount of effort! In this still, we can see Thanos and Gamora walking past hordes of civilians and soldiers. A mighty-huge blue screen enclosure helped in superimposing smoke and the explosion site.
But the CGI department's work did not end there! They digitally created Thanos' and each one of his militant's suits to make them look like a powerful and genetically superior race. To make lives of the post-production team easier, the actors wore hilarious looking costumes that included a tall pole on the back and a big black barrel!
Godzilla, 2014
The film had many scenes that were difficult to shoot and required painstaking efforts. For instance, in this shot, Godzilla’s paw is captured by a camera while there is a downpour. An army of soldiers tries to tackle the giant creature with the help of guns and tankers.
In reality, the actors were away, far away from a bridge, firing blanks on gigantic green screens. Although there were ample props on set, the CGI work was extensive since the team had to digitally add a bridge and a sea monster.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, 2014
If we were to get a penny every time Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez used a green screen in their films, we would have become millionaires! By exploiting the power of technology, the director duo shot several crucial portions of 'Sin City' even before signing their first actor.
For a simple scene involving Mickey Rourke, the VFX team digitally recreated an entire bar. Surprisingly, the crew members couldn't find a watering hole that was dingy enough. We are amazed to see the makers of the movie go to any lengths to get their shots right!
300: Rise of an Empire, 2014
Period films are hard to make, period! And it gets all the more challenging when you have to show Greek warlords and battle scenes in the movie. Hence, there was extensive use of green screens in the second installment of '300.'
The majestic mountains, bright stars, and a vast water body in this shot look surreal. While there were a few props used during the filming of this scene, most parts of the backdrop owe credit to the magic of computer graphics. Someone should give this VFX team an award already!
The Avengers, 2012
When you have a budget of over $220 million, you can certainly afford to blow up a bus or two! In a bid to get realistic visuals for the first film of 'The Avengers' franchise, the makers created an explosion in a massive green screen set.
During the movie's post-production phase, an energetic Chris Evans and a bridge overlooking all the chaos were superimposed onto the scene. Using computer graphics was a wise decision since we wouldn't have wanted our beloved Captain America to get injured amidst all the action!
300: Rise of an Empire, 2014
For the sequel of '300,' Sullivan Stapleton and the actors who played his soldiers had to stick to a grueling training regime. After months of preparation, the ripped-looking cast arrived at a huge set filled with intricate props and gigantic green screens.
This scene's backdrop was a massive hilltop with the sun peeking over a horizon where Themistocles and his army set up tents. It looked like a simple shot in the movie, but there was a lot of background work going on! And thanks to the brilliant VFX artists, we were treated with great visuals and even better lighting.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, 2014
Powers Boothe played Senator Roark, the corrupt politician, in the second part of 'Sin City.' For the scene where he plays poker, Boothe did not have the environment of a game room to help him get into the groove. A few props and a bright spotlight was all there during the filming!
Extensive use of computer imagery helped in recreating many visuals of the original graphic novel. But we still cannot wrap our heads around the fact that the director decided to build a stack of poker chips using CGI!
Everest, 2015
The 2015 adventure film has numerous nail-biting moments! In one of the more tense scenes, a climber tries to save another from falling while on a makeshift bridge. With CGI coming into the picture, we were able to see deep and dangerous cracks beneath them!
A green screen covered set was used, which had a cushy landing surface for the actors had any of them lost their grip. The production unit topped it off with air machines to recreate the Himalayan environment. Thanks to these arrangements, none of the cast members had to withstand harsh conditions for real!
Everest, 2015
Although green screens were a regular feature during the shooting of the film, the cast of 'Everest' did face their share of stunt work! The actors dealt with a lot of ropes, harnesses, and scaffoldings, which ensured their safety. Plus, these tools also acted as props to simulate a climbing environment.
For this particular scene, the performers had to cross the ladder one by one without taking a wrong step. While falling from there wouldn't have been fatal, it could have caused an injury. Upon completion of the filming, the computer graphics team tactfully enhanced the details and lighting of the snowy terrain.
Alice in Wonderland, 2010
Helena Bonham-Carter played the eccentric queen in the 'Alice in Wonderland' reboot. She sported red hair on her disproportionately large head, wore grand outfits, and put on bright makeup for the movie. But costume designers weren't the only ones who had a lot of work to do!
The film's VFX team made use of chromakeys to digitally superimpose a majestic palace. After looking at these pictures, we don't know what is more bizarre - Helena talking to a frog dressed in a tuxedo or to herself, alone in a green screen set!
The Avengers, 2012
Superhero films and visual effects are like fish and water! And when it comes to a high-budget production like 'The Avengers,' we are bound to get the best in class.
In this frame from the movie, we have Captain America and Black Widow looking away to save themselves from the impact of an explosion while Thor bravely looks on. With the use of a green screen, the actors do not have to be anywhere near the actual blast site. Despite being shot separately, the scene gets even the minute details right.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, 2018
Fans of the Harry Potter prequel series will remember Newt Scamander's daring exploits in the film. While the movie drew a lot of accolades for the visual effects, there seems to be a lot of effort put in by the cast and crew members as well.
In this particular scene, Eddie Redmayne tames a deadly sub-aquatic creature named Kelpie with a lot of ease. Suspended from a rope in a massive pool of water, Redmayne straddled some heavy-duty equipment to get the nuances right. Those beasts look fantastic only because of the magic weaved by the graphic artists!
Game of Thrones, 2011-2019
Fantasy is a genre that is a treat to watch because of its stunning visuals and mystical elements. When it comes to a TV show like the 'Game of Thrones,' the amount of work that goes behind it is far more than usual. In this scene from the series, Daenerys is caressing Drogon, but in reality, it is just a lump of green sponge!
To make matters tough, a production member had to control the makeshift dragon's actions using a huge pole. Now we know why the budget for each episode exceeds $6 Million!
The Matrix, 1999
It would be a crime if we did not mention the technical marvels of 'The Matrix' on our list! Amongst numerous memorable scenes, the fight sequence between Neo and Mr. Smith took our breath away.
It turns out that the dingy subway was nothing but a green screen that got altered in post-production. To get the mid-air action sequence and freeze frames right, Keanu Reeves and Hugo Weaving were dangling on ropes the entire time. With this kind of work behind the scenes, the makers of this cult film set a high bar for the next decade of cinema!
Life of Pi, 2012
We'll let you in on a little secret! There was no tiger on Pi's boat throughout the entire movie. While we see Suraj Sharma putting himself in harm's way by stroking the animal, he was interacting with a soft toy all along.
Kudos to the technical team, who did a great job of replacing it with a 450-pound Bengal Tiger. It made sense for the makers to use visual trickery since no one would have preferred a giant feline roaming on the sets! With such a heartwarming story and amazing picturization, it is a no-brainer that 'Life of Pi' bagged numerous awards.
The Legend of Tarzan, 2016
The fictional character from the forests made his silver screen debut in 1929, and since then, we have seen many adaptations. Thanks to technology, apes or tigers can grace the screen without involving a single real animal in production.
We can see a charged Alexander Skarsgard leaping towards a mattress while unperturbed camera persons look on. Despite facing a reflector and the lens, he manages to emote like it is a real fist-fight. After the introduction of VFX to the scene, we have an angry primate and a dense jungle in the setting. That was quite the battle for the entire team!
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 2012
Peter Jackson's fantasy trilogy raked in a massive $3 billion in its lifetime! The series became a talking point for two reasons - running the film at 48 frames per second and its surreal visual effects. It is an astounding feat to feature several shots that were entirely CG.
In this scene at a Hobbit home, Gandalf was all alone in the room when he was dining with Bilbo and Thorin. Much to our amusement, the giant wizard is sitting in front of pictures of other cast members in a green screen enclosed area. Such moments from the movie tell us that it is indeed an unexpected journey!
World War Z, 2013
Only a handful of films do justice to the zombie genre, and 'World War Z' is undoubtedly among them. A case in point is this frame that has the backdrop of Philadelphia but was shot thousands of miles away in Scotland.
Brad Pitt manages to escape animated corpses and hops on to a helicopter without actually going to a rooftop. All thanks to computer graphics and the team that tactfully put together this visually stunning scene. With a budget of over $200 million, the production unit surely did not cut any corners in the special effects department.
We live in a time where it is hard to imagine any big-ticket movie made without the use of visual trickery. Whether it is going to outer space, creating a dystopian future, or giving a dated look to the shot, chromakeys have always come to the rescue of VFX artists.
Introduced in 1940, green screens and computer graphics revolutionized the cinema for many generations to come. From the magical land of 'Narnia' to Brie Larson's hair in 'Captain Marvel', check out the film scenes in which Hollywood successfully managed to fake it.
The Monuments Men, 2014
It is one of the few directorial features of George Clooney, which stars an ensemble cast, including Matt Damon, John Goodman, and Bill Murray. While the war film garnered a mixed response, the stunning visuals of the World War II-era are etched in our minds.
The VFX team digitally recreated an underground tunnel, gold reserves, and 16,000 art pieces of the Nazi German treasury for this scene. Thank the heavens for technology, or else the production department would have been making over 9000 gold bar props in a 50-meter deep mine!
300: Rise of an Empire, 2014
When it comes to shooting scenes with an army of actors, filmmakers tend to prefer green screens over constructing elaborate sets. Besides being a cheaper alternative, it gives an authentic feel, especially in the case of period films.
It is remarkable to see a drab-looking green screen converted into a surreal war zone in the second installment of the '300' series. The graphic artists paid a lot of attention to the details and got even tiny aspects like rock formations and torch flames right. Without a doubt, we are convinced that 'This is Sparta!'
Everest, 2015
Makers of this film transported the Himalayas to our screens and gave us a breathtaking view of the region. Recreating visuals of a blizzard that occurred on the world's highest peak is no mean feat, and this team successfully managed to pull it off.
The massive studio which houses the green screen has all kinds of harnesses and a makeshift bridge to enact scenes from the film. While it is difficult for the actors to maneuver with the heavy gear on their backs, at least they don't have to face the harsh conditions of the Everest!
Alice in Wonderland, 2010
Tim Burton's 2010-film posed many challenges to Matt Lucas! He played the notorious duo Tweedledum and Tweedledee while wearing a costume all along. Uncomfortable prosthetic suits were a norm in the earliest version of the fantasy film, and this time around, it is a green suit!
As Lucas was playing a double role, a stand-in took up the other outfit. We are now left wondering if both are in character or venting through their expressions. Either way, it is astounding to see the great lengths filmmakers and actors go, to entertain the audience!
Godzilla, 2014
It is hard to fathom the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes of high-budget action films. And we instantly knew something big was on the cards when Warner Brothers announced the 'Godzilla' reboot!
In this still, soldiers are staring into a green screen while aiming their guns. During post-production, footage of scattered vessels was superimposed onto the shot to make it look realistic. With such intricacies coming into the picture, it comes as no surprise that Jim Rygiel took over six months to wrap up the visual effects aspects.
Black Panther, 2018
Finding a futuristic locale that could do justice to Wakanda would have been a tough task for the crew. After all, King T'Challa's country is among the most advanced regions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hence, the use of chroma keys became inevitable.
Many parts of the film, including the towering buildings, energetic panthers, and breathtaking landscapes, owe their credit to VFX. A striking aspect was this scene featuring the ancestral plane, which was a full CG environment. With over 15 companies playing a vital role in developing the special effects, the movie is undoubtedly an exhilarating watch!
X-Men: Dark Phoenix, 2019
Marvel has been raising the bar with every new installment in the X-Men universe. In the 'Dark Phoenix,' Jean Grey faces a turbulent time trying to control her mutant powers. Now this calls for extensive use of CGI.
We should be giving full credit to Sophie Turner for nailing those expressions without any scenario simulation. Besides, the actress had to endure long and arduous retakes for almost a year because director Simon Kinberg wanted to get the nuances right. It seems that being an on-screen superhero is indeed a great responsibility!
Avengers: Endgame, 2019
The story about an intergalactic warlord crossing hairs with the Avengers captivated audiences around the world. Produced with a budget of over $700 million, we expected nothing less!
In what was an odd moment in the movie, Captain America is fighting a look-alike inside the plush Stark Tower. Chris Evans had to convincingly dive to the ground multiple times while taking blows from his body double in the green screen covered set. While it might have looked impressive on-screen, filming bizarre yet exciting scenes such as this one is undoubtedly tough!
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, 2018
There are some flicks where all the magic happens during post-production, and this Disney movie is undoubtedly one of them. While the 2018 film did not receive a great response, the live animation sequences took our breath away.
For this particular scene, a significant part of the CGI designers' effort went into digitally rendering the palace. But the outdoor environment, which includes a rugged stone path, brick walls, and sculptures were designed by the production team. It is no wonder that this extravagant set came with a huge bill of $100 million!
Hollow Man, 2000
Imagine a film set where the lead actor is walking around wearing a neon green mask throughout the duration! This feat was pulled off by Kevin Bacon, who played the character of Dr. Sebastian Caine in the 2000 film, 'Hollow Man.'
To be depicted as an invisible person, he had to wear a morph suit that made it easy to cut him out during post-production. While the film didn't do so well, H.G. Wells would have certainly been proud to see the adaptation of his novel take life on the screen!
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, 2014
In the second part of the 'Sin City' series, actor Josh Brolin joins the ensemble cast that includes Mickey Rourke and Jessica Alba. His character Dwight McCarthy tries to make a mark as a private investigator while trying to forget his alcohol addiction and tumultuous past.
Excluding a few scenes, the entire film was digitally remodeled by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller to give it a monochrome palette. Despite that, Brolin had to wear black and white clothing throughout the shoot. All the outdoor scenes were shot in a green screen set to give an authentic look to the streets of Basin City.
Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011
Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan might be athletic, but they certainly don't want to be subjected to a zip lining exercise amidst snowy mountains! The best alternative was to use a green screen inside a workroom without risking the chance of any injury.
Steve Rogers and Bucky attempt to get into a moving train to capture Arnim Zola by leaping on to the train from a hilltop. Shot in the confines of a studio, both were suspended only a few inches off the ground to get the spectacular action scene right.
The Martian, 2015
Ridley Scott's science fiction film about an astronaut stranded on Mars drew widespread acclaim for the performances and realistic visuals. The cast and crew of 'The Martian' hopped across sets in three countries and had countless meetings with NASA to get the details right. Besides that, they had a world-class team who did a great job of replicating the red planet on the screen.
Due to location constraints, the unit shot a few parts of the movie in the confines of a studio. It includes the breakthrough scene where Mark Watney builds a hexadecimal map to get in touch with his colleagues on Earth.
Blade Runner 2049, 2017
Filming dystopian movies could be a nightmare for the crew members because of the excessive need for chromakeys and CGI. The 2017 film starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford was no exception! The cinematographer Roger Deakins erected huge green screens only to modify it in post-production.
Gosling is standing in front of a giant pile of rubble, but in reality, it is a pleasant countryside. With digital marvels like these, it comes as no surprise that 'Blade Runner 2049' won the Best Visual Effects award at the 90th Academy Awards.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader, 2010
While this 2010 fantasy film required many fascinating sets in far-off locations, they didn't have to find one to depict the cityscape. There was just one building, and the rest of the town was all computer imagery!
Jim Rygiel, the VFX supervisor of the movie, proved once again that he is the best in business. The artist and his team used clear skies as the backdrop for many scenes, that required the use of a blue screen. We were surprised to know that there were 1,400 special effects shots in the entire movie, and each one was as brilliant!
Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2016
The sequel to the live-action movie of 2010 had a star-studded cast with the likes of Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, and Sacha Baren Cohen, and the production unit came equipped with even more technological advances. Mia Wasikowska goes on an enchanting adventure through Wonderland, once again reprising her role as Alice. The film required a significant amount of CGI intervention for fantasy-filled locations.
When Mia's character Alice finds herself in a magical forest after crossing a stream, she gets tensed after seeing the strange surroundings. Kudos to the director for eliciting anxious expressions from her since she was standing in a green screen setup without any props.
Avengers: Infinity War, 2018
The 2018 feature was one of the most anticipated films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It has a star-studded lineup, which included Tom Holland reprising his role as Spiderman once again.
The Englishman clings on to the window of a moving school bus before joining his team to fight the bad guys. While the scene was shot in a studio using green screens, an additional hand was required to help him stay still during the filming. A part of the crew member's wrist is even visible in the final cut of the movie. This certainly goes to show that some superheroes stay behind the screen!
King Arthur, 2004
The adventure film is a reinterpretation of the legendary British figure who led his troops to freedom. But King Arthur’s men were nowhere close to the arctic when they were shooting arrows in the air. The snowy mountains were superimposed on to the shot to mask the green mountain in the background.
A set was constructed in Ireland, which took over four months to build with three hundred people working on it. It took a lot of effort for the crew members since the filming happened at a time when green screens were not the norm.
Ender's Game, 2013
The 2013 film is about a group of teenagers attending a camp to prepare themselves for an alien invasion. Hailee Steinfeld plays the role of Petra Arkanian, one of the cadets on a shuttle set out on an astro-adventure.
While the entire spaceship was a CGI production, parts of her costume were also digitally tweaked for the final cut. The futuristic suits were designed by Tom Woodruff Jr., the Academy award-winning VFX artist. Since Steinfeld was a part of shoots involving green screens, she can proudly boast about having been to space!
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, 2014
Andy Serkis has become a master of motion suits by now! After 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' and 'The Hobbit,' he donned a tracking costume once again for the 2014 film. Besides, the actor had white markers on his face throughout the shoot so that his expressions could be mapped.
The CGI artists digitally superimposed his characteristics on that of a primate. Even the slightest movements on Serkis' face were tactfully captured, to match it with that of a chimpanzee. With the advent of technology, he does have to undergo the arduous task of wearing prosthetic makeup.
Avengers: Endgame, 2019
This certainly makes it to the list of the most bizarre things CGI was used for! Brie Larson's cameo in the 'Endgame' came with a lot of fanfare and digital trickery.
The actress wore a bald cap for the scene to hide her actual hair from the cameras. Besides, she was suspended using ropes in a green screen studio to portray that Captain Marvel is actually hovering in space. Fans were gushing about the film, but they couldn't wrap their head around the fact that Larson's blonde hair was computer imagery!
Man of Steel, 2013
There might not be a consensus on which is the best ever Superman movie, but we can agree that the 2013 version was a visual delight! Directed by Zack Snyder, the caped crusader got an all-new look with an advanced costume and better VFX.
When Clark Kent holds the armored suit close to him, a hologram hovers near the neck. In reality, a green fabric was used during the shoot, which turned into a leather cover in post-production. The film's crew has indeed gone to extreme lengths getting all the details right!
The Walking Dead, 2010
Back in the day, stunts on screen were not as realistic as modern times. With newer filming techniques, combat scenes can be shot without risking any injuries.
Despite being a lengthy TV show, the makers of 'The Walking Dead' did not cut any corners when it came to action sequences. We were taken by surprise when a tiger sprung up amidst all the chaos in the seventh season finale. For the shoot, a stuntman clad in a blue unitard took the tiger's place. Upon seeing the massive leap he performed to take his target down, we are convinced that he is no less than a ferocious feline!