The films "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Avengers: Endgame" are renowned for their groundbreaking work in motion capture and virtual humans – techniques that have since been commercialised across industries like gaming, advertising and even virtual influencers. This piece is not a movie review; rather, it explores insights from Daniel Seah, the CEO of Digital Domain. With extensive experience in technology and filmmaking, he stands at the forefront of visual effects and virtual production. Under his visionary leadership, Digital Domain has established itself as an industry leader, consistently pushing the boundaries of creative storytelling and technological innovation in film. In this discussion, myForesight® uncovers his thoughts on leveraging technology to transform futuristic ideas into tangible realities – ideas once deemed mere dreams.
Visualising the Future with Advanced Film Production Tools
When I reflect on the early days of filmmaking, I remember how visual effects (VFX) heavily relied on physical props, models and optical illusions. These tools created the magic on-screen but had clear limitations. Over the past three decades, the film industry has undergone an incredible digital transformation. VFX has evolved from a niche element to becoming a core component of modern cinema, reshaping how we tell stories and bring worlds to life.
Today, everything is digital, and our ability to create hyper-realistic visuals has become the key differentiator for VFX studios like Digital Domain. Photorealism is the standard now, allowing filmmakers to craft immersive worlds that seamlessly blend fantasy and reality. Visual effects are no longer just enhancements; they are essential storytelling tools. In films with a budget exceeding USD100 million, VFX often makes up more than 88% of production costs. This shift reflects the central role of visual effects in modern filmmaking, empowering directors to bring ambitious, once impossible scenes to life.
Our success lies in achieving photorealism, ensuring that every detail – from lighting to textures – Is as authentic as possible. We use sophisticated motion capture systems to create characters and scenes that blur the line between fantasy and reality. These systems track the smallest details of human movement and facial expressions, allowing us to create digital representations that move and react like real actors. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has made this process even more efficient, allowing us to reduce production times while maintaining the highest quality.
Generative AI, for instance, helps make VFX processes more efficient by automating aspects of production, such as generating complex environments or refining intricate elements. This efficiency allows filmmakers to focus more on creative decisions while still meeting tight deadlines. AI also helps keep costs under control, a vital factor in large productions that heavily rely on VFX.
Technology Trends Shaping the Future of Film
The last decade witnessed a breathtaking surge in technological advancements in filmmaking, particularly in visual effects. A striking example is “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, where we harnessed groundbreaking virtual human technology to de-age Brad Pitt, enabling him to convincingly portray a character aging in reverse. Similarly, “TRON: Legacy” demonstrated how virtual actors could seamlessly interact with real-world environments, opening new possibilities for filmmakers.
One of the most impactful trends we have embraced is AI-driven tools, which have revolutionised the way we create scenes. AI allows us to generate environments quickly by reusing digital assets from previous projects. For example, we can take existing digital models of iconic locations like the Great Wall of China and adapt them for new projects, saving both time and resources. This lets us focus more on storytelling rather than technical hurdles.
Of course, these advancements come at a cost. Large-scale productions can see up to 80% of their budget allocated to visual effects, but I firmly believe the investment is worth it. Achieving a high level of realism does not just improve visuals; it elevates the entire storytelling experience. When VFX is seamless and believable, audiences become fully engaged. Finding the right balance between production costs and delivering exceptional quality is essential for creating immersive cinematic experiences.
Navigating the Impact of Technology on Storytelling
While technology offers filmmakers powerful new tools, it has also introduced challenges, particularly in storytelling. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon have reshaped audience expectations, making it vital to grab attention in the first 15 minutes. This shift has led to an increase in formulaic storytelling, as filmmakers feel pressured to cater to algorithms and trends, often at the expense of creative depth.
At Digital Domain, we hold firmly to the belief that creativity should never be constrained or stifled by technology. While AI excels at recognising patterns and speeding up accelerating content creation, true innovation blossoms when we push beyond these boundaries. There is a danger in over-relying on AI, as it can lead to a loss of narrative richness. The human element remains critical in creating stories that resonate emotionally with audiences. We always strive to strike a balance – using AI to enhance efficiency while ensuring the integrity of our storytelling stays intact.
The dual role of AI as both a challenge and an enabler in content creation has sparked important discussions about the future of creativity in this tech-driven world. I believe that, while technology will continue to shape filmmaking, human creativity will always be essential. AI can assist with the technical aspects of production, but it can never replace the emotional depth and unique perspectives that human storytellers bring. As technology advances, I am optimistic that filmmakers will find new ways to elevate their storytelling without being limited by it.
Lessons in Balancing Passion, Education and Innovation
Looking back over the past 32 years, our journey at Digital Domain has offered valuable lessons for aspiring filmmakers and visual effects artists. We have been at the forefront of VFX innovation, and our success is a testament to the power of combining technical expertise with a relentless passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Formal education lays the groundwork for understanding the technical aspects of filmmaking, but it is a passion that drives innovation. I encourage young professionals to embrace emerging technologies like AI and other cutting-edge tools as opportunities to enhance their craft. Technology should be seen as a partner in the creative process, not a hindrance. By staying informed about the latest developments and constantly learning, we can unlock possibilities that earlier generations could only dream of.
That said, balancing cost and quality is critical. Our projects often come with significant price tags, but the results speak for themselves. By investing in high-quality VFX, we ensure that the final product is not only visually stunning but also emotionally impactful. Every detail – whether creating lifelike virtual humans or constructing vast, photorealistic environments – is meticulously crafted to engage audiences on multiple levels.
In a world where technology advances at an unprecedented pace, staying ahead of industry trends while remaining true to the art of storytelling is crucial. Our success has shown that filmmakers can thrive in this dynamic industry by combining technical skills with creative passion. Technology should never replace human creativity – it should unlock new possibilities in filmmaking.
Daniel Seah
Chairman and CEO, Digital Domain
