Writer/director Frank Miller has posted a new entry in his production blog for The Spirit, where he extols the virtues of having human actors as opposed to replacing them with CGI.
In this tenth blog entry, Miller states that while The Spirit will have an abundant amount of CGI, the human characters will not come across as digital or as a “bendie,” in the way that Spider-Man comes across in long shots when he’s swinging through the city in the Sam Raimi films.
Miller explains that the film’s visual effects adviser, Stu Maschwitz, convinced him not to have shots that would appear too digital, like one Miller wanted that was “an impossible, across-the-city camera move.”
And Stu wouldn’t let one damn character turn into a “bendie” or digital in any way. Hence my favorite shot – the Spirit leaps onto a water tower, and stumbles, just for a moment. Pure Eisner.
Miller also said that the CGI in the film will look elegant or won’t be noticeable to the viewer.
Like I do, Stu wants THE SPIRIT to be what it is: A love letter to New York City , featuring the best talents we can find, abetted by abundant CGI that you will find elegant…or invisible.
The Spirit opens in theaters Christmas Day 2008.
very intersting Frank – thanks!