Hollywood’s move to computer generated effects has been a hot button topic for any cinephile. On one end, we now have technology that’s able to create effects that were never before possible. Yet, no matter how much CG continues to impress, many believe that it still can’t seem to capture the real life feel that practical effects and puppetry have. Still, CG has proven to be the cheaper and less time consuming option when dealing with effects and has been slowly pushing practical effects into obscurity.
It would appear in the on going battle between pixel and prosthetic we have lost one of the industry’s greatest practical effects legends. Rick Baker, award winning special effects master whose work has been shown in such films as Star Wars and American Werewolf in London has retired.
You would think that if anyone has a right to be bitter towards CG becoming the industry standard it would be Baker, but the seven time Oscar winner remains understanding if not a little disappointed.
Baker said of the industry, “When CG first became popular, we instantly became dinosaurs,” in an interview with Vice.
“I was always hoping for a much closer marriage between the CG and the makeup stuff.”
Baker also stated that cost versus demand was also a factor in his decision to retire.
“I had one project where I had a guy making some teeth, in this 60,000-square-foot building, by himself, in summer.”
“My air conditioning bill was more than I was getting paid to make the teeth. So it just became time.”
Baker has decided to sell most of his creations for the average price of a Hyundai Sonata, but those of you looking to acquire the werewolf from American Werewolf in London to frighten off attacking T-Rexes in the inevitable Dinosaur Wars to come will be disappointed, he’s keeping that one.
Hey, don’t be mad, you’re the one that bought that ticket to Seventh Son.