What does CGI stand for?
CGI is “computer generated imagery” (or similar words). Computers have gotten very good at making detailed pictures, but they often move strangely because it’s hard to apply the laws of physics precisely, and the human brain is very good at predicting what happens to things (especially things that aren’t stiff, like cloth and human bodies) when pulled by gravity. If they don’t follow the rules, it’s easy to spot. Another key problem for CGI is human faces. Our brains are also very, very good at seeing tiny details in human faces, both the way the translucent layers of skin reflect light and the way the many, many small muscles move. Getting those things right is a huge amount of work. We usually give non-human creatures a pass. Go watch Shrek: Shrek himself is more believable than Fiona, who looks oddly stiff, because he’s less human. Computer graphics are readily recognizable because they do things that would otherwise be impossible to film, even with stunt men. But because of the way
