Good or bad the film world is changing and has been since the advent of computer generated graphics (aka CGI). Films like Universal's THE WOLFMAN take full advantage of both old school and new techniques. Combining the tried and true techniques and enhancing them with today's technology can not only work but can pull off a sense of wonderment on screen that will often leave us "the audience" with our mouth hanging wide open in disbelief...

Follow up:

With THE WOLFMAN on all of our thoughts at this hour the name Rick Baker comes to mind. With some 40 years in the "movie magic" industry (better known as special FX), Baker has been responsible for some of film's most memorable movie monsters. In an interview with Bloody-Disgusting, Baker took the time to talk a little bit about what went into the new Wolfman and how he feels CG and practical effects can be more harmoniously used in film.

Its not surprising to see how the quality of Baker's prosthetic artistry or confidence has grown since his days on the set of An American Werewolf in London and, while his statements on the convergence of CG and prosthetics may throw some, he makes some valid suggestions on how they could be better used given the right eye behind the camera.

We will include ourselves in the quote "old school" class because it was our generation that really ramped up the "practical" effects, those that are created in real, 3D space (i.e. corn syrup blood, prosthetic transformations, puppets, etc). Because of this and because "practical" effects are something we can all wrap are hands around, something that has true art behind it often will win out at the end of the day over a fully digital CGI character because of those reasons. There's something magical about creating something with plaster of paris and latex rather than sitting behind a computer all day long. And let's face it. Bad CGI can ruin a film faster than having Nicolas Cage signing "Ave Maria" at the top of his lungs. But some of us also forget that bad "practical" effects can also make a picture so cheesy it can't be taken serious.

So where are we going with this? Well obviously we think a combination of both techniques are not only the answer but the future. Yes even the heavy CGI fest 'AVATAR' utilize both techniques. The problem is leaning one way or another. Some movies will work better (i.e. fantasy pictures, etc) but horror films that are more raw and gritty tend to work better with the "practical" side. The lines often get blurred and fans of either technique tend to bicker when the use of both at the end of the day often is the answer to creating the most enjoyable finished product.

Independent FX artist will always have a place as will the computer nerds at (Industrial Light and Magic) ILM. It's the combination of both sides of the isle that will be the future of horror and movies in general. Yes we think it's safe to say this is a new era for special effects. One we frankly are excited as hell about!