The Techniques of Visual Effects Applied in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Visual effects (VFX) are used extensively in modern entertainment, including films, television shows, ads, and digital media. This research investigates the different types and techniques in visual effects used in animated films. Previous studies have identified a need for more information explicitly focusing on applying some techniques within visual effects. The study intends to fill a knowledge gap by emphasizing strategies in visual effects kinds, particularly in the animated film area. The research objectives are to identify the types and techniques of visual effects and their application in an animated film. Thus, the discussion and findings will be established at the end to conclude the research questions and objectives. This research uses qualitative methods by gathering and analysing data from various sources. The findings show that multiple techniques have been utilized in any animated film to achieve the desired visualization. The research provides important insights into VFX techniques and their application through case studies and references to earlier scholarly works, catering to animation practitioners and students seeking an understanding of VFX workflows.

Visual Effects, Techniques, Types, Animated film

1. Armstrong, M. (2006, June 13). Giving the X-Men a Digital Face Lift. Studio Daily. https://www.studiodaily.com/2006/06/giving-the-x-men-a-digital-face-lift/ [2] Aronson, I. D., & Internet Archive. (2006). DV filmmaking: from start to finish. In Internet Archive. Beijing; Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly. https://archive.org/details/dvfilmmakingfrom0000aron/page/154/mode/2up?q=masking [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ciccone, V. (2016). The Effectiveness Of Special Effects: Practical Effects Vs. Digital Effects. https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/20500/Ciccone_oregon_0171N_11587.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y [4] Cohen, D. S. (2006b, July 16). F/x Take Off the Years. Variety. https://variety.com/2006/film/news/f-x-take-off-the-years-1200339819/ [5] Cohen, D. S. (2011, July 30). The Skinny on "Captain America" vfx. Variety. https://variety.com/2011/film/features/the-skinny-on-captain-america-vfx 1118040631/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Dinur, E. (2017). The Filmmaker's Guide to Visual Effects: The Art... (PDF). In PDF Room. Routledge. https://pdfroom.com/books/the-filmmakers-guide-to visual-effects-the-art-and-techniques-of-VFX-for-directors-producers-editors-and-cinematographers/j9ZdYzargV4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Egan, J. (2006, June 6). PP-Lola VFX nips and tucks | Below the Line. Below the Line. https://www.btlnews.com/crafts/post-production/pp-lola-vfx-nips-and-tucks/ [8] Failes, I. (2011, August 9). Captain America: super soldier effects - fxguide. Https://Www.fxguide.com/. https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/captain-america super-soldier-effects/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Failes, I. (2020, June 26). Body of Work: Weta Digital on the art of face replacement. Before & Afters. https://beforesandafters.com/2020/06/26/body-of-work weta-digital-on-the-art-of-face-replacement/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Failes, I., & Internet Archive. (2016). Masters of FX: behind the scenes with geniuses of visual and special effects. In Internet Archive. New York: Focal. https://archive.org/details/mastersoffxbehin0000fail/page/182/mode/2up?view=theater [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Finance, C., & Zwerman, S. (2015). The Visual Effects Producer: Understanding the Art and Business of VFX. In Google Books. CRC Press. https://www.google.com.my/books/edition/The_Visual_Effects_Producer/RqWgBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=visual+effects+definition&pg=PA4&printsec=fr uncover [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Giardina, C., & Giardina, C. (2011, December 1). 10 Hot Visual Effects Teams Reveal How They Made Movie Magic on "Harry Potter," "Captain America," "Transformers." The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-visual-effects-harry-potter-thor-transformers-captain America-268749/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Gress, J. (2014). [digital] Visual Effects and Compositing. In Google Books. New Riders. https://www.google.com.my/books/edition/digital_Visual_Effects_and_Compositing/9XrjBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=visual+effects+definition&printsec=fr uncover [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Hill, L. (2016, March 31). Plastic Surgery with a Mouse Click. Vulture; Vulture. https://www.vulture.com/2016/03/special-effects-c-v-r.html [15] History of VFX. (n.d.). Encyclopedia.pub. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/28574 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Holliday, C. (2021). Retroframing the Future: Digital Deaging Technologies in Contemporary Hollywood Cinema. Retroframing the Future: Digital Deaging Technologies in Contemporary Hollywood Cinema, 61(5), 28. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Jackman, J., & Internet Archive. (2007). Bluescreen compositing: a practical guide for video & moviemaking. In Internet Archive. Oxford: Focal. https://archive.org/details/bluescreencompos0000jack/page/14/mode/2up?q=chroma+key [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Maio, A. (2019, September 5). Creating the Impossible: VFX Breakdowns. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-vfx/ [19] Majikes, A. (2022, May 17). What is VFX? A Beginner’s Guide. Storyblocks. https://blog.storyblocks.com/video-tutorials/what-is-vfx/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Marshall, J. (2023, February 16). What is VFX? A Guide to Visual Effects in Film. Backstage. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/create-digital-effects film-project-13748/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. MasterClass. (2021a, June 22). How Visual Effects Work in Film: A Guide to the 4 Types of VFX. MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-visual effects-work-in-film [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Prince, S. (2011). Digital Visual Effects in Cinema: The Seduction of Reality. In Google Books. Rutgers University Press. https://books.google.com.my/books?hl=en&lr=&id=GFwFl3xFgZsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=visual+effects+technology+definitions&ots=5nfssXJu0p&sig=eayN5a aTzJzybBfLyoJtPLi0Tzw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=true [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Robinson, J. (2016, May 10). Captain America: Civil War's Most Impressive Digital Effect Is Being Used to Subtly Beautify Hollywood. Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/05/digital-effects-plastic-surgery-captain-america-civil-war [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Russell, N. (2020, August 28). 10 Years On: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Medium. https://medium.com/@orinocoflow/10-years-on-the-curious-case of-benjamin-button-778dfac138f0 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Seymour, M. (2006, June 12). X-Men: Extreme Makeover. Fxguide. https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/x-men_extreme_makeover/ [26] Seymour, M. (2009a). Head Replacement of Brad Pitt into Body Double’s Head. In fxguide. https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/the_curious_case_of_aging_visual_effects/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]