History of Animation Presentation

The first task for this module is to split into groups of five and create a short-10 minute presentation on the history of CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery). Our group divided the topic into the different CGI film era's and I was set with the 90's.

In the early 90's CGI technology allowed a major expansion  into film and TV production. The films in this decade that have been recognised as being pioneering in their use of computer animation.

Terminator 2: judgement day, released in 1991, first to have realistic human movements and morphing effects on a CGI character. It was also the first to use a personal computer for 3D effects on a blockbuster film.

Jurassic Park: released in 1993, was the first film to create photo-realistic, CG dinosaurs.

Casper was released in 1995, and it was the first CGI to be a lead character in a feature length film.

6 months later, Pixar released toy story, it was the first feature length film, made entirely with CGI animation, this was particulary significant because it was a new way of producing films.

Pixar later released their 2nd movie, a bugs life in 1998, it was the first wide-screen animated film.

The last film in this decade is star wars, episode 1: the phantom menace.  CGI was used throughout the movie, for backgrounds, vehicles and environmental effects.

Several CG characters stood alongside real actors in many shots of the movie, making them the first CG 'supporting' cast members.