Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, 1977
The first episode of the Star Wars saga. The story is set in a fictional galaxy ruled by the tyrannical Galactic Empire. Amazing in-camera VFX, it is a must-see if you are a cinema lover. George Lucas, director of this film and creator of the franchise, is also the mastermind behind the super-famous Industrial Light and Magic.
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Do you think “1977” and ” amazing VFX” can’t be in the same sentence? Watch this first, and let’s discuss it later!
Life of Pi , 2012
“Life of Pi,” produced and directed by Ang Lee, is a mesmerizing example of the incredible potential of VFX. The movie tells the story of a 16-year-old boy and a tiger who are stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean for 227 days. The breathtaking computer-generated environment and animation make this film a must-see.
P.S.
There are only a few scenes in which a real tiger is featured. Can you tell which ones they are?
Castle in the sky, 1986
A seminal masterpiece directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle). A girl falls from the sky but is saved by the magic of her glowing blue crystal. which lowers her gently. She is in fact the princess of a lost and powerful kingdom.
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There is a long list of films and video games strongly influenced by this cartoon.
Can you name some of them?
Toy Story, 1995
The first full CGI feature film ever realised is indeed a cartoon (well a 3D/computer-animated one)! Directed by John Lasseter and produced by the legendary Pixar Animation, this film is an ever-green source of insights if 3D animation is your cup of tea.
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Truly unmissable if you’re planning a career in 3D animation. So don’t miss out!
Bioshock, 2007
The first game in the BioShock series, a first-person shooter developed by 2K Boston (later Irrational Games) and 2K Australia, was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 platforms in August 2007.
Bioshock’s significance lies in its innovative storytelling, immersive world-building, unique gameplay mechanics, thought-provoking social commentary, and lasting impact on the video game industry.
P.S.
Bioshock is closely associated with the Art Deco aesthetic, a design movement that thrived in the 1920s and 1930s.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 2017
A massive action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U, is considered a landmark achievement in video game design.
It revolutionized open-world gaming with a vast, seamless world to explore, free of loading screens. This allowed players to approach quests and challenges in their own way, nurturing a sense of exploration and discovery.
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The game features some stunning visuals, particularly landscapes and lighting. Truly worth giving it a try!
THE ART OF VISUAL EFFECTS AT ESCAPE STUDIOS 