De-aging, uncanny valley and all that digital magic

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Macdoc
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De-aging, uncanny valley and all that digital magic

Post by Macdoc »

Good article on it
How Hollywood Became Obsessed With De-aging Its Stars
The popular visual-effects technique has implications that could pave the way for a new era in moviemaking—for better or worse.

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SHIRLEY LI
DECEMBER 6, 2019
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainme ... ng/603130/

will be interesting to see how Cats is received,,,,



Francesca Hayward is incredible
https://deadline.com/2018/11/cats-movie ... 202494737/

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:popcorn:
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Animavore
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Re: De-aging, uncanny valley and all that digital magic

Post by Animavore »

Never mind the uncanny valley of some scenes in The Irishman; they couldn't cover up the old man movements of the actors. In one scene De Niro beats up some guy, kicking and stamping on him while he's down, and he's so stiff and rigid. All through the movie the three main's shoulders slough as they shuffle about.
A most evolved electron.
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Briton
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Re: De-aging, uncanny valley and all that digital magic

Post by Briton »

Almost as soon as I saw the 'young' versions of both Pesci and De Niro in The Irishman I turned it off. I thought it was more ridiculous than uncanny.
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Macdoc
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Re: De-aging, uncanny valley and all that digital magic

Post by Macdoc »

That's not really an uncanny valley situation in my view - it's more the dichotomy of a younger looking but familiar face in an aging stiff body.....we are used by way of make up to see aged faces as a film progresses through time and I'd guess aging software is pretty mature. De-aging still new but it won't fix the flexibility.
The uncanny valley is a common unsettling feeling people experience when androids (humanoid robots) and audio/visual simulations closely resemble humans in many respects but are not quite convincingly realistic.
Early days yet and the industry continues to perfect its craft. I really don't find it more disturbing than body doubles or make - up ( make-up blows my mind )....just part of the make-beleive.
I thought the article was well done and informative.

I'll have to watch Gemini Man to see how it works with a younger actor.

This article claims it is an extended uncannny valley visit.
https://reason.com/2019/10/11/gemini-ma ... ny-valley/
but there are other factors affecting the movie.
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EO Wilson in On Human Nature wrote:
We are not compelled to believe in biological uniformity in order to affirm human freedom and dignity.
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