VFX artists break down the visual effects at Brad Pitt The interesting case of Benjamin Button. The 2008 epic fantasy drama follows the Titular character who was born in the physical state of an old man and aged back. Directed by David Fincher, the film features a leading cast of Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond and Elias Koteas. It was nominated for multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director.
Now, the Corridor crew Offered their assessment of the VFX in The interesting case of Benjamin Button. The artists began the conversation by addressing the photorealism of Benjamin’s human face in the film.
Nico: Benjamin Button, in my opinion, is the first film to have a photo-real human face.
Clint: So wait, out of context, you would think this person is a real old man baby?
Nico: Out of context, I can think he is wearing a mask maybe.
When the artist watched one scene of Pitt, each artist was amazed by the visual effect, leading to comments like “Good,” “Flawless,” and “Wow” Even one analyst talked about the board looks super realistic.
Clint: what? That looks so good!
Nico: Yes, that looks perfect. It still holds up, it’s flawless.
Clint: The beard, I feel like I can cut my hand on his beard. And like David, the lighting.
Jordan: Literally, the hand touches the face.
One of the analysts, Niko, explained How light stimulation is key to making the scenes look realEspecially with Benjamin’s older form. Read his statement below:
So we were just talking about how, when you get it all in the rendering with light simulation, it can look really photo real. And I think we see it here with his old head. Because it looks amazing.
We go later in the film, and we start de-aging Brad Pitt. We’re entering the realm of compositing now. I mean it’s a bit like “Huh, what?”
The VFX artist then watched another scene where Benjamin looked much younger and de-aged, however One analyst noted the shadow to hide some of the visuals Which are not working. This was followed by another commenter explaining the use of compositing.
Clint: They caught him in the shadows. I mean they’re trying to hide what doesn’t work, right.
Nico: What do I mean by composite for drilling? I mean, you film Niko Pueringer in real life, go wah wah wah, and I’m like alright, make me younger. They trace a 3D model to my head, so that you can get the video data from me, so that you can go into your program like Photoshop, to paint wrinkles, and so on the video, which is basically what you do. Down to a texture applied to a 3D model.
Yes, that’s all the composite work that goes into tracking and removing wrinkles. Not just wrinkles, but shadows, so as to change the shape of the face. Like the cheekbones here, they’ll really make it all look brighter, because whether they actually change dimensionality isn’t really important. It is your eye’s cue a dark place is giving things volume, so you just trace in white splotches onto the face. And you were diagnosed.
The commentators continue to share their amazement of the visual effects, especially with the consistency and cleanliness.
Clint: It is very clever. How do they keep that consistent?
Nico: That’s pure craftsmanship right there. Like, that’s going in and being a true artist.
What the Corridor Crew analysis says about Benjamin Button
Benjamin Button was a visual wonder at the time
One of the more fascinating elements of the Corridor Crew breakdown of the Acclaimed The interesting case of Benjamin Button is the explanation of de-aging. The group explains that this Process begins by filming a person’s movement and then applying a 3D model to their face or body. The model is then placed in a “program like photoshop,“what would”Paint out wrinkles,” and change other textures to make the person appear younger. The technology combined with favorable lighting was used for The interesting case of Benjamin Button.
Related
It is not surprising that The interesting case of Benjamin Button Won an Oscar for Best Visual EffectsAlong with Best Makeup and Best Art Direction. The Corridor crew praised how photorealistic the face was, coming 16 years after the movie was released. This talks about how The interesting case of Benjamin Button Visually ahead of its time, but according to this analysis, it has also stood the test of time.
The interesting case of Benjamin Button’s technology is more ubiquitous now
De-aging is used in many films
While The interesting Case of Benjamin Button Was way ahead of its time, the use of de-aging technology is much more standard practice now. De-aging technology has been used in several major films, including Martin Scorsese’s film The Irish. While it was impressive at the time of Benjamin ButtonThe use and skill of some de-aging is often pointed out now. I agree with this assessment in films like The IrishWhere there is not the same kind of age-related emphasis as Benjamin Button. Still, it’s fascinating to reflect on how Benjamin Button Changed the game visually.
Source: Corridor crew