Transformers (end fighting scene)

The thing I like to do at the moment when watching films is to try and break down how they have done certain edits, cuts, SFX and etc.

Last night i was watching Transformers, the CGI work in it is amazing. The plot is a bit weak, but you don't watch a film like Transformers for a good script.

Even though Transformers is only about half a year old, i think some of the green screening is already looking dated. Although i can't knock the CGI on the Transformers. Watching them fight surrounded by people, cars and buildings is quite remarkable.



So, i was sat trying to figure out how they did this so well. At first i thought they may have green screened Shia and the rest of the cast, but they can't have because they interact with their surroundings far too much. So that must mean they have green screened the transformers. However, the cast is always running in front of the transformers and various other bits of cars, etc. They must have done a hell of a lot of masking around the cast.

I have just started teaching myself masking and its not the hardest thing in the world, but you do have to key frame it, which could end up being nearly every frame. AND, if the actor is moving their limbs around a lot you are having to change the mask each time aswell.

So that's my analyst of the end fighting scene in Transformers. Hats off to the CGI SFX team, some of the best effects i've ever seen.