DI catches Film Industry

0 views

Skip to first unread message

M.VINO

unread,

Feb 16, 2006, 9:25:42 AM2/16/06

to digid...@googlegroups.com

Digital imaging catches on in film industry
Thursday, 16 February , 2006, 09:28

Cinema has increasingly become technology heavy. Not only are computer graphics imaging or 3D animation picking up, film content itself is going digital with more graphics and visual effects.

"Today the storyline incorporates the use of digital content and visual effects," said Raman Madan, Regional Manager (Animation and Desktop Video), South East Asia & India, Autodesk.

In some of the earlier films visual effects were used sparingly in a few shots. Scenes that were not possible to capture were created by integrating live action with computer-generated imaging.

Rapid software development has allowed for more films to go through the digital route using computer-generated imaging, graphics work, or digital intermediation of the film.

"Today computer-generated imaging and other digital work is integral to filmmaking," Madan said.

Digital intermediate (DI) is something many films are going for. DI involves a process whereby a film gets converted to digital format.

Indian films are increasingly warming up to the idea of DI, according to industry representatives.

In the DI process there is much more control of colours and images. It also allows for the adjustment of image structure. This process helps in maintaining the consistency of the film.

Hollywood films have been moving to the DI route and reports say that in 2006 more than 90 per cent of the films made would go through it.

Prasad EFX of the Prasad Group did the DI work for films such as Rang de Basanti and Taj Mahal.

"When a film is put through the DI process, the filmmaker can have more control over the content. It also increases longevity as opposed to analog films. With more Indian films opting for DI, rates are getting slashed," said K. Chandrashekhar, Head (Visual Computing Labs), Tata Elxsi Ltd.

Visual Computing Labs is focusing more on graphics work - 3D animation, digital visual effects, TV commercials, and games graphics.

Graphics work in Indian and overseas films has gone up.

The Matrix series, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the Harry Potter movies have catalysed the use of cutting edge visual effects in films.

"Film-makers plan graphics as a part of the storyline," said Chandrashekhar.

Visual Computing Labs (TATA ELXSI) has done graphics work for several films such as Kaal, Salaam Namaste, Bunty & Bubli,
Neal `n' Niki, Home Delivery, and Rang de Basanti.

It also did graphics work for Hollywood films such as Into the Blue and XXX-2.

Work is in progress on some more Hollywood films. Prasad EFX used visual effects in films such as Parineeta.

Prime Focus, which is planning to enter the capital market with its IPO, is also engaged in computer graphics imaging, DI, and other related work.

Computer graphics, 3D animation, DI, and digital colour grading have become a part of filmmaking in India, industry representatives said, adding that a number of players have entered the arena.