|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer Magic
These are all done is so polished (as in pulido) a style that the scene doesn't jar (not your usual series of static shots executed by super-imposition). Now familiar in America, these special effects are now being done locally, called computer graphics (or computer-generated imaging), and one of the pioneers of it is Ronald T. Miranda (a computer imaging artist and technical consultant who's managing his own outfit, Storm Visualization & Imaging).
"I want to help inform the (local) film industry of the many advantages of digital technology," said Ronnie (who plays badminton, scuba dives and sky dives in his spare time, but is too shy to have his picture published).
You see, it's not only owning a computer. It involves ingenuity, creativity, artistry and much, much more. |
Whether you're a computer freak or not (like this one), spare an hour to watch the episode Aswang this Friday, 9 to 10 on GMA Channel 7's Mother Studio Presents, out of curiosity perhaps. You'll see Jean Garcia (as the aswang) turn into a cat the way Jim Carrey stretches his face this way and that way as if it's made of rubber, or blink her eyes (in extreme close-up) and make them look like a cat's (reminiscent of Nastassia Kinski in Catwoman), or put out her tongue and, viola, turn into a cobra.
Ronnie Miranda showed me how he does it on his computer and I should say that, for want of a better word, it's amazing! He presses a key here and a key there and then Jean Garcia is transformed from a pretty village lass into a, that's it, cat-like aswang. For effect, Ronnie presses on more keys and there it is, a full moon behind ominous clouds. While before local technicians did this kind of thing so crudely, Ronnie does it with flair. If you ask him to show you Jean Garcia flying, he'll also do it, making it appear as naturally as if Jean Garcia had invisible wings.
A B.S. Math graduate from Ateneo, Ronnie worked with Mike de Leon's Cinema Artist Philippines from 1988 to 1990 and turned freelancer from 1990 to 1994, until he decided to put up his own company this year. Impressed by the logo of Viva Films (with the "V" splitting in two)? Ronnie conceptualized it. He's also the one who did the RPN 9 logo, the RPN News logo, the title credits of the forthcoming Ronnie Poe and Sharon Cuneta starrer Minsan Pa, the sitcom Haybol Rambol title credits and many others.
But he has a good reminder: "Great computer graphics are created not by the machine but by the artist behind the machine."