How has CGI changed Filmmaking?

Over the past few decades, filmmaking has been transformed by Computer Generated Imager (CGI). What was once used for small visual enhancements now plays a vital role to how films are made. According to research published in Film and Philosophy, CGI has fundamentally “transformed filmmaking” by creating visuals that were previously impossible to achieve.

One of the biggest advantages of CGI is its ability to create entire worlds digitally. Research from the Animation Studies Journal shows that filmmakers can now construct fully digital environments and characters. For example, an entire digital ecosystem was created for Avatar, while Avengers: Endgame used CGI for large battle scenes. This has allowed genres such as sci-fi and fantasy to dominate filmmaking.

CGI hasn’t just changed visuals but also how films are produced. Industry analysis from PremiumBeat explains that CGI allows filmmakers to “design anything imaginable,” reducing the need for physical sets and dangerous stunts.

Data also shows that CGI usage in films has increased by 229% over the past decade and revenue from CGI-heavy films has risen by 400%. This demonstrates that CGI is not just a creative tool but also a major economic driver within the film industry.

Despite these advantages, CGI has also introduced new issues. PremiumBeat notes that modern filmmaking often relies on a “fix it in post” approach, where issues during filming are left to be solved later with CGI. This can lead to rushed visual effects, lower-quality results and less focus on storytelling and more in favour of the visuals. As a result, audiences sometimes feel that films prioritise spectacle over substance.

Interestingly, despite technological advances, some modern CGI is criticised for looking less realistic. Industry research suggests this is due to increased number of effects shots per film, tighter production deadlines, and greater reliance on post-production. In other words, the problem is not the technology but how it us being used.

CGI continues to evolve with new technologies. Recent research into virtual production shows that films are now using real-time digital environments during filming rather than adding effects later in post-production. This means that CGI is becoming part of filming itself and the line between real and digital is becoming increasingly blurred.

Overall, CGI has fundamentally changed filmmaking by expanding creative possibilities, increasing virtual realism and transforming production methods. However, the evidence shows a clear balance: although it enables innovation and large-scale storytelling, poor use can weaken storytelling and overuse can reduce realism. Ultimately, CGI is not the problem – the way the industry uses it is. It seems that if studios prioritise speed, scale, and spectacle, the debate around CGI will likely continue.

References

Dromm, K. (2020). CGI and Affective Responses to Narrative Films. Film and Philosophy, 24, pp.156–174. doi:https://doi.org/10.5840/filmphil20202410.

Anon, (n.d.). Animation Studies – The Peer-reviewed Open Access Online Journal for Animation History and Theory – ISSN 1930-1928. [online] Available at: https://journal.animationstudies.org.

Baker, L. (2022). What is CGI? How Reality and CGI Blend in Films. [online] The Beat: A Blog by PremiumBeat. Available at: https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/what-is-cgi-in-film/.