Cinematography technique · used in 2 films
Using computer graphics to create a character made of a material that flows, reforms and takes any shape. The effect pushed the technology of its time to the limit.
Examples
James Cameron · 1989
ILM made the water entity with computer graphics. Its surface shows reflections and it can shape itself into faces, which were scanned from the actors' expressions. It looks real enough that the crew in the film reacts as if it were.
Where to see it: The water tentacle: the alien water entity explores the rig and forms the faces of the crew.
James Cameron · 1991
Industrial Light & Magic created the T-1000's liquid metal effects. Rendering 15 seconds of footage took up to 10 days. Nobody had seen a shape-shifting machine like this on screen before, and the look of it was invented here. It went on to influence 20 years of visual effects.
Where to see it: The T-1000's first reformation after being frozen and shattered. This is the image that defines what it can do.
Questions
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