Films, commercials, documentaries, video games and even Instagram reels and TikToks, CGI artists are the shadow magicians of audiovisual productions. Yet their work is often misunderstood, or even caricatured. So, in this article, we tackle the worst misconceptions about VFX artists through four hard-hitting clichés.
Spoiler alert: no, it's not "just a guy clicking a button to make it look pretty".
Cliché no. 1: Computers do all the work!
C’est probablement le plus courant et le plus agaçant. Non, les ordinateurs et logiciels ne font pas tout le boulot tout seul. Ce sont des outils, pas des génies autonomes doués de conscience. Ils n’ont ni sens artistique, ni goût, ni timing, ces éléments si importants. C’est le CG Artist qui, à force de travail, de compétences techniques et de sensibilité artistique qu’une image peu prendre vie.
This is probably the most common and the most annoying. "Ah but with all this software and computer power, now it's easy!"
Nowadays, certain software programs make it easierto do certain things... but you still need to know what to do, why, and how. And that's the job of the artist! Fluid simulation(discussed here), 3D integration into a real shot or animated creature rig can't be achieved by clicking on a magic pre-set.
A metaphor to make things clearer: saying that "the computer does everything" is like saying that the guitar plays the music.
Cliché no. 2: "CGI is always ugly / too fake".
If you see the effects, it's often because something is wrong... But if you don't, it's because the work is well done!
The best CGI is often invisible. A rainstorm made in 3D, a digital dubbing, an entire building added in post-prod: nobody notices, and that's proof of great quality.
Let's look at a few examples:
- In The Social Network, the Winklevoss twins are played by a single actor: the other is digitally generated,
- In Forrest Gump, Gary Sinise's legs were digitally erased,
- In The King's Speech, many modern buildings have been removed or replaced in CGI to recreate 1930s London,
- In Les Petits Mouchoirs, the beach scene at sunrise was retouched to add mist and correct the lighting,
- In Intouchables, some Paris streets were digitally recreated to avoid blocking traffic during filming.
So no, CGI is not always "too" visible. When they are, it's often for lack of budget or time... not talent!
Cliché no. 3: "Visual effects are only for $200 million films".
The good old blockbuster myth... CGI is everywhere today: in music videos, commercials, documentaries (yes, remember, we talked about it in our article), museums, TikTok ads, FOOH videos on Insta... EVERYWHERE!
At the studio, we've created 3D effects for TV shows, commercials, films, series and more!
So no, CGI is not a Hollywood luxury. They're a storytelling, immersion and design tool that's accessible to all formats.
And today, they are (or can be) everywhere, thanks to their affordability.
Cliché n°4 : « Les CG Artists sont des geeks associables dans leur grotte »
It's the enduring stereotype of the geek locked away in his room who only speaks in binary with strangers on the other side of the world...
The reality? CGI artists work as part of a team, in direct contact with directors, cinematographers, editors, clients, sound engineers and so on. They are communicators, creatives and sometimes even project managers.
And yes, they may love Nuke or 3DSMax as much as others love Excel... But that doesn't mean they never get out of the house. They love team after-work sessions. Take a look at our team!
Clichés are hard-won, but they don't last long when faced with the reality of the field. CGI artists are hybrid profiles, both technical and artistic, who put their creativity at the service of stories, images and powerful visual experiences.
So, the next time someone tells you "CGI is just a computer effect", you'll know what to say.
And if you have other shots to add to the list, please share them with us... We love it!