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BSA227 History of Motion Graphics

Motion Graphics are any graphics which have been animated in any way. Special Effects is used to refer to effects done while filming such as rain, wind or flying rigs. Visual Effects are Computer enhanced imagery which is added in Post Production. Compositing is the digital manipulated combination of at least two source images to produce and integrated result.

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895) shows the stop film technique where they pause the film at a certain frame so they can make it look like they behead someone.
The Great Train Robbery (1903) uses matte blacks to make the movement of the train out the window.

Georges Melies' A trip to the Moon (1902-5) uses stop motion and stop film techniques.

King Kong (1933) used stop motion and miniatures to make the ape thing.

Thief of Baghdad (1940) showed advances in multilayered matte painting in film.

Tron (1982) showed major advances in CGI that had never before been used in film.

Willow (1988) was the first film to have characters morphing.

Terminator 2 (1991) was a CG leading character.

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