In a question to Google's AI BARD, we wondered if CGI or VFX as it is known, computer generated images, might help to reduce the cost of producing the proposed films in the John Storm franchise, featuring the Elizabeth Swann hydrogen powered trimaran. [For this exercise, we used the Cleopatra's Mummy adventure.] Given that the 1963 film 'Cleopatra' starring Elizabeth Taylor, almost bankrupt 20th Century Fox, and that 'Cleopatra The Mummy', about cloning a replicant Egyptian Queen is one of the flagship scripts?

A. Yes, CGI or VFX can significantly reduce the cost of producing films, especially for large-scale productions like those in the John Storm franchise. This is because CGI allows filmmakers to create realistic and visually stunning scenes without having to build expensive sets, hire large crews, or travel to remote locations. For example, in the proposed film "Cleopatra The Mummy," CGI could be used to create the ancient Egyptian setting, the Elizabeth Swann hydrogen-powered trimaran, and the reanimated Cleopatra herself. This would save the production millions of dollars in set construction, location scouting, and special effects costs.

Here are some specific examples of how CGI can be used to reduce production costs:

- Creating complex environments: CGI can be used to create realistic and detailed environments that would be impossible or impractical to build physically. For example, CGI could be used to create the underwater tomb of Captain Morgan in "Treasure Island Blackbeard's Curse and Pirates Gold" or the lost city of Atlantis in "Operation Neptune Atlantic."

- Simulating real-world phenomena: CGI can be used to simulate real-world phenomena, such as explosions, weather effects, and creature movements. This can save the production time and money that would be required to create these effects physically.

- Enhancing and manipulating existing footage: CGI can be used to enhance and manipulate existing footage to create more realistic or visually appealing scenes. For example, CGI could be used to add or remove objects from a scene, to change the weather conditions, or to make characters appear to be in different locations.

In addition to reducing production costs, CGI can also be used to improve the quality of films. CGI can create more realistic and believable scenes, which can make the film more immersive and engaging for audiences. Additionally, CGI can be used to create visually stunning effects that would be impossible to achieve with traditional filmmaking techniques.

Overall, CGI is a valuable tool that can be used to reduce production costs and improve the quality of films. The John Storm franchise can benefit from using CGI to create visually stunning and realistic films that are also affordable to produce.

WHY VFX?

CGI and VFX have become increasingly popular in recent years for various reasons. They allow filmmakers to create more realistic scenes, which can add to the overall appeal of a film. Additionally, CGI and VFX can help to shorten the production time.

Another advantage of using CGI and VFX is that they can help reduce a movie’s cost. Using these techniques, filmmakers can create scenes that are otherwise difficult or impossible. This can lead to lower production costs, ultimately improving a film’s quality.

They can add an element of excitement and mystery to a film. By creating wholly or partially computer-generated scenes, viewers are left wondering what will happen next. This can heighten the suspenseful feeling that viewers experience while watching a movie.

The magic of Hollywood movies has transported us to far-flung imaginary worlds with creatures that have either never existed at all, or died out long ago. This is all made possible through visual effects or VFX, that goes beyond creating fantasy worlds. VFX can help make the impossible possible. So, what is VFX?

Simply put, 'Visual Effects' (VF) is a way to add visual elements to moving media that does not happen during live-action filming. Filmmakers use VFX software to add computer-generated imagery (CGI) and other effects.

VFX are any special effects added to a film using a computer. VFX typically combines live-action footage and manipulated or enhanced imagery to create realistic environments and characters. The main goal of VFX is to take something fake and make it look real, or at least believable. Visual effects can be practical as well. Such as explosions captured on-set during a car chase.

Filmmakers have been using computers to improve movie effects since the 1982 movie Tron. This technology improved dramatically in the 1990s with movies like Jurassic Park and Toy Story.

VFX is used to create environments or characters that do not exist on set or to create scenes that are too dangerous to shoot with real people. Film directors and cinematographers work with VFX directors to decide which scenes require visual effects.

THE MAIN TYPES OF VFX:

· CGI: Computer generated imagery is the most ubiquitous form of VFX. CGI is made completely with VFX software and does not include any real-world footage or manipulation. Pixar has made a name for itself by producing animated films that are completely computer generated, like the Toy Story franchise and Finding Nemo. CGI is created using software, but it isn’t only for animated films. Marvel has CGI elements which are then composited into the video. 

· Compositing: Compositing is the process of combining multiple images into one. One of the most common compositing techniques is filming with green screens. This is used in all Marvel movies. The actors film their sequences in costume with a green screen behind them. In editing, the green screen is keyed out, and the background, effects, and additional characters are added in with computers.

· Motion capture: Motion capture, or mocap, tries to take the authenticity of a live performance and turn it into a more realistic digital sequence. Actors typically perform their scenes on a mocap stage while wearing mocap suits that are covered in tiny dots. The advanced camera systems record those moving dots and turn it into data. VFX artists then use that data to generate believable digital characters. A good example of this is the actor Andy Serkis as Caesar in Planet of the Apes or Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

VFX VERSUS SPECIAL EFFECTS:

Special effects have been used in images for over 150 years. Oscar Rejlander created the world’s first special effect in 1857. He combined different parts of 32 negatives to create one single image titled “Two Ways of Life (Hope in Repentance).”

The first motion picture special effect was produced by Alfred Clark in 1895 for “The Execution of Mary Stuart.” The actors were reenacting the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots. An actor dressed as Mary laid her head down on the chopping block. Then, the camera stopped, all the actors froze, and Mary was replaced with a dummy. The camera started again, and the executioner brought down his axe to chop off the dummy’s head. Practical special effects like this would dominate the film industry for the next 100 years.

While many people consider VFX as a form of special effects, there is a big difference between traditional special effects (SFX) and VFX. Here are a few key differences between VFX and special effects.


VFX and CGI can lower the cost of making films in several ways. Some of them are:

VFX and CGI can create realistic and immersive scenes that would be too expensive, dangerous, or impossible to shoot in real life. For example, VFX and CGI can create epic battles, alien worlds, fantasy creatures, and futuristic settings without the need for expensive sets, props, costumes, or actors. This can save a lot of money on production costs and logistics [1]

VFX and CGI can also enhance the quality and appeal of existing footage by adding or removing elements, correcting colors, improving lighting, and creating seamless transitions. This can improve the artistic vision and storytelling of the film, as well as fix any errors or flaws that occurred during shooting [1]

VFX and CGI can also reduce the cost of reshoots and post-production by allowing filmmakers to make changes and adjustments to the footage without having to re-film the scenes. For example, VFX and CGI can change the facial expressions, body movements, or dialogue of the actors, or alter the background, weather, or time of day of the scene. This can save time and money on hiring actors, crew, and equipment, as well as editing and sound design [1]

VFX and CGI can also leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and solutions like ActionVFX to offer significant cost efficiencies. AI can automate and optimize some of the tasks and processes involved in VFX and CGI production, such as generating realistic textures, lighting, and animations, or detecting and removing unwanted objects or noises from the footage. ActionVFX can provide high-quality, high-resolution stock footage elements that can be easily integrated into the VFX and CGI scenes, such as explosions, fire, smoke, debris, and blood. These can reduce the workload and time of the VFX and CGI artists, as well as the cost of creating or acquiring these elements [1]

[1] https://www.actionvfx.com/blog/visual-effects-cost-the-numbers-you-need-to-know

A table generated by Bard AI, telling that Live Action version of a film costs roughly 40% more than an animation version of the same movie. The problem then, is deciding whether the animation version will be more successful than the live action production. it's a tough call. The animation version of 'Mulan' showed a profit. The live action version showed a significant loss, despite being a superb movie, in our view. That may just have been the subject matter and political complications. Both films were awesome. But some subjects are more acceptable as animations.

Mulan the animation grossed $304 million worldwide on a budget of $90 million, making it the second-highest grossing family film of 1998, and turning a reasonable profit. By contrast, Mulan the live action version in 2020 achieved just $69.9 million at the box office, for a budget of $200 million. A staggering $130 million loss. Going animation, seems to transcend some political obstacles. When, we can just get on and enjoy good entertainment. Cleopatra, should present minimal political barriers, where the subject has been a Scooby-Doo and live action (Elizabeth Taylor) extravaganza. Both versions followed a format that was acceptable to the majority of audiences. In these instances, staying with classic Egyptian interpretation as far as practical.

Treasure Island, is different again. There are few political obstacles, the characters actually existed and are well documented, save for where the missing Aztec gold Captain Morgan acquired from the Spanish Conquistadors. The mystery upon which the concept is (fictionally) based.

SAMPLE COSTS RELATING TO VFX

As the visual effects (VFX) industry, now valued at billions, continues to grow and evolve, so does the cost of VFX. This rapidly expanding sector is revolutionized by the integration of artificial intelligence, reshaping the production process and impacting the visual effects cost per shot.

In this piece, we break down the costs associated with VFX production, animation, shooting, and CGI. We will also share tips on how to save money on visual effects, and explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and solutions like ActionVFX, claim they can offer significant cost efficiencies.

If creating visual effects from scratch isn't your goal, you can reduce costs with ActionVFX's curated library of over 7,000 high-quality, high-resolution stock footage elements. Visual effects are delivered in 2K, 4K, 6K, and 10-12 Bit ProRes, and shot from multiple angles. By subscribing to AVFX+, you get instant access to more than $19,000 worth of assets and discounts up to 40%. Don't like it within the first 30 days? They say you can have a full refund!

A BREAKDOWN OF TYPICAL VFX PRICING: 

- Simple VFX, such as basic compositing or color grading - $30 to $50 per hour
- Independent/short film - $5,000 to $50,000 per project
- 3D Modeling and Asset Creation - $300 to $2,000 per project
- Complex Animation and Simulation - $2,000 to $5,000 per minute
- Shooting live-action large-scale VFX scenes - $10,000 - $50,000 per day

COST OF SMALLER SCALE & SIMPLE VFX

A simple VFX shot, such as adding a few basic computer-generated elements to a live-action scene, or adding a couple of frames can cost a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, a complex sequence that requires extensive computer-generated imagery, complex simulations, and advanced compositing techniques can cost millions of dollars. 

Smaller-scale projects, such as a 30-second promotional video, cost around $1,500 to $2,500 to make, but If you're using stock materials and simple voiceovers, you can make a commercial for less than $1,000. 

Independent films will have lower budgets ranging between $5,000 and $25,000, including the budget for special effects.

The cost of VFX is based on several factors, including:

- The number of VFX artists involved
- The number of VFX shots
- The level of detail required
- The duration of the project

For high-quality 3D VFX footage, you should expect to invest between $2,000 to $5,000 per minute. Additionally, plan to allocate two to five times your production budget for visual effects and the hourly wages of VFX artists.

Remember, creating one minute of VFX usually takes about one hour of work. Hiring a professional VFX company will cost you a minimum of $5,000 per hour.

Hi Bard, thank you very much for your help thus far. We were wondering if you could assist us a bit more with how much it might cost to produce a budget animation version of the John Storm adventure 'Cleopatra The Mummy' using VFX and CGI, in a way that would appeal to potential investors. Perhaps, compared to a live action film, that might also benefit from VFX?

A budget animation version of the John Storm adventure "Cleopatra The Mummy" using VFX and CGI could potentially be produced for significantly less cost compared to a live-action film with similar VFX requirements. This is because animation does not require the same level of physical sets, costumes, and actors as a live-action film. Additionally, animation can be produced more quickly and efficiently than live-action, which can lead to lower production costs.

Here is a table comparing the estimated costs of a live-action and animation version of "Cleopatra The Mummy":

Element               Live-action   Animation

Production design  $10 million   $2 million

Sets                    $5 million    $1 million

Costumes             $3 million    $1 million

VFX                     $10 million  $5 million

Animation             $20 million  $10 million

Total                   $50 million  $28 million

As you can see, the animation version of the film would be approximately 40% less expensive to produce. This is due to the lower costs of animation production design, sets, costumes, and VFX. Additionally, animation can be produced more quickly, which can save on labor costs.

Of course, the exact cost of producing an animated film will vary depending on the specific requirements of the project. However, the table above provides a general guideline for the potential cost savings of using animation.

Here are some additional benefits of using animation to produce "Cleopatra The Mummy":


- More creative freedom: Animation can be used to create more fantastical and unrealistic elements than live-action. This could be particularly beneficial for a film set in ancient Egypt, with its pyramids, sphinxes, and mummies.

- Potentially broader appeal: Animation can appeal to a wider audience than live-action, which may not be suitable for all viewers. Animation can also be more easily adapted to different cultures and languages.

- Potential for sequels and spin-offs: Animation is a more cost-effective medium than live-action, which could allow for the production of multiple films in the "Cleopatra The Mummy" franchise.

In conclusion, a budget animation version of "Cleopatra The Mummy" could be a more cost-effective and appealing way to produce the film than a live-action version. Animation offers greater creative freedom, has the potential to appeal to a wider audience, and could allow for the production of sequels and spin-offs.

VISUAL COSTS FOR BLOCKBUSTER FILMS

The average budget for a Hollywood production movie is around $65,000,000, which requires extensive and complex VFX work. Some blockbusters go a couple of times over that number.

Visual effects costs for Alice in Wonderland rose to an astonishing total of $46,000 per VFX shot. The film had a minimum of 1,700 VFX shots. Equals $78.3 million dollars.

Avatar: The Way of Water had over 4,000 VFX shots, and 3,289 VFX shots in the final film. Their entire budget was $250,000,000. Thus, it is important to work out the number of shots in the final film. With Cleopatra The Mummy and Kulo-Luna, being two scripts under consideration, need to be broken down into shots (scenes) in a shooting sequence. To be able to price the making of an animation and compare to the making of a live action film.

Blockbuster movies packed with special effects cost tens of millions of dollars (or more) to produce, and a significant portion of the budget is dedicated to VFX. 

Other factors that can influence the cost include the location of the VFX studio, the experience and skill level of the VFX artists, and the complexity of the software and hardware required to complete the project. VFX can range from simple wire removal to complex compositing, and the cost will vary accordingly.

AI AND VFX

AI applications are being used to significantly alter and improve the VFX production pipeline. Not only do they enhance the overall process, but they can also shift on-set graphic systems from being a post-production task to a pre-production one, enabling real-time effects. This is just a glimpse into how AI is revolutionizing the VFX world.

COSTS OF A VISUAL EFFECTS TEAM (WEB ACCESSED 7 DEC 2023)

The cost of a visual effects team will depend on the project’s size, complexity, and duration, as well as the level of experience and expertise of the team members. 

VISUAL ARTIST'S RATES

A small visual effects team of a few artists working on a short project may cost around $50-$100 per hour per artist. 

A mid-sized team working on a medium-sized project may cost between $150-$250 per hour per artist. 

A large, experienced team working on a major feature film may cost $300-$1,500 plus per hour per artist.

VFX EXECUTIVE TEAM PRICING

When working on large projects like films, you will need a bigger team to execute VFX shots, including a Director of Photography a Videographer/Filmmaker, various Camera, and Drone Operators, Sound Technicians, Lighting Specialists, Camera Operators, and VFX Data Wranglers. 

The day rates for these types of roles range from $200 to $1,500. The entire crew can cost you anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 daily, depending on scale Capturing live-action VFX shots includes:

- Recording live-action footage

- Capturing 3D scans of the sets, objects, and characters

- Using motion capture for realistic movement

Incorporating live-action VFX shots in your production means shooting with visual effects in mind. For example, knowing where to place actors in the scene or how to adjust lighting based on the planned effects. Later on, visual effects like animation and simulation are added to the captured footage. 

Machine learning algorithms are trained to recognize and classify objects in a scene, making it faster to add VFX elements. This can significantly decrease the cost of production, but you still need quality stock visual effects or a dedicated VFX team.

ANIMATION TEAM PRICING

A freelance animator can charge anywhere from $100 to $3,000 per minute of animation. Smaller animation companies' rates range from $3,000 to $7,000 per minute, while large studios will go from $8,000 to $25,000 per minute of animation. A large animation studio will handle the scriptwriting, storyboarding, illustration, 3D product modeling services, rigging, animation, rendering, and sound effects. This is why the costs are so high. 

Animation and simulation include:

- Animating 3D characters and objects

- Creating realistic simulations of physics and natural phenomena (e.g. fire, water, smoke)

- Adding particle effects and dynamic simulations

From these examples, a 100 minute (1 hour 40 mins) animated movie would be in the region of $2.5 million dollars.

COST OF PROPERTY RENTALS

VFX teams require specialized facilities that are equipped with high-end hardware and software to create the required effects. The cost of these facilities can include rent, utilities, and maintenance.

Depending on the location, the cost of facilities may vary. For film productions involving more than 15 individuals, the average cost of property rentals is typically $1,000 to $4,000 per day.

It's important to note that VFX studios may offer discounts for larger projects or for shots that are similar in nature, such as a series of shots that use the same 3D model or compositing technique.

COST OF EQUIPMENT & SOFTWARE

These are two commonly used techniques in post-production to make films and videos look even more visually stunning. It's important to note some key differences between the two:

CGI stands for computer-generated imagery, or computer graphics, where scenes are created entirely using software starting from scratch. The cost of CGI can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the graphics, the level of detail required, and the experience level of the artists involved. CGI costs can start from $1,000 to $1,500 per minute.

VFX, or visual effects, typically involves enhancing existing footage with additional computer-generated elements or effects. The cost of VFX depends on the complexity of the effects, the number of shots required, and the level of detail. Quality visual effects can be shot separately and involve a lot of work. So how much do quality VFX cost? Anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 per minute.

Hi Bard, thank you very much for your help thus far. We were wondering if you could assist us a bit more with how much it might cost to produce a budget animation version of the John Storm adventure 'Cleopatra The Mummy' using VFX and CGI, in a way that would appeal to potential investors. Perhaps, compared to a live action film, that might also benefit from VFX?

Sure, I can help you with that. The cost of producing a budget animation version of the John Storm adventure 'Cleopatra The Mummy' using VFX and CGI would be significantly less than producing a live-action film with the same features. This is due to the fact that animation typically requires less expensive production costs, as it doesn't require the same level of physical sets, costumes, and special effects.

Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs for a budget animation version of 'Cleopatra The Mummy' versus a live-action version:

Animation

Pre-production: $500,000 - $1,000,000
Production: $2,000,000 - $5,000,000
Post-production: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000

Live-action

Pre-production: $10,000,000 - $20,000,000
Production: $30,000,000 - $60,000,000
Post-production: $5,000,000 - $10,000,000

As you can see, the animation version would cost approximately one-third to one-half of the cost of the live-action version. This is a significant savings, and it could make the animation version a more attractive option for potential investors.

Of course, the exact cost of producing an animation film will vary depending on the complexity of the animation, the number of VFX shots, and the experience of the production team. However, even with these factors considered, the animation version is likely to be significantly less expensive than the live-action version.

Here are some additional reasons why a budget animation version of 'Cleopatra The Mummy' might appeal to potential investors:

- Animation is a proven success in the film industry. Animated films have consistently been among the top-grossing films of all time. This suggests that there is a strong market for animation, and investors are more likely to be confident in the prospects of an animation film.

- Animation is a flexible medium. Animation can be used to create a wide variety of visual effects, from realistic landscapes and characters to fantastical creatures and environments. This flexibility can be used to create films that are visually stunning and appealing to a wide audience.

- Animation can be produced more quickly than live-action films. This can be a major advantage for investors, as it means that they can recoup their investment more quickly.

In summary, a budget animation version of 'Cleopatra The Mummy' has the potential to be a more affordable and appealing option for potential investors than a live-action version. The lower production costs, proven success of animation films, and flexibility of animation technology all make animation a compelling choice for this project.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR VFX COSTS

Plan Ahead

* Implement concept development and ideation

* Create a detailed storyboard to map out visual effects 

* Use script analysis and planning for VFX and CGI integration

* Use artificial intelligence for rendering, simulation, and animation

* Make sure your shots are well-lit and properly framed to minimize the need for extensive post-production work

Invest in High-Quality Footage

* Shoot high-quality footage with high-resolution cameras and proper lighting to reduce the need for extensive post-production work

* Use quality stock footage, preferably RAW, that has the most details preserved

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF VISUAL EFFECTS

* Use practical effects or in-camera effects whenever possible to reduce the need for post-production work

* Use stock VFX elements to save time and money

https://www.actionvfx.com/blog/visual-effects-cost-the-numbers-you-need-to-know

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