The Future of Suitmation in Toho Godzilla Films

[StonedHope]

^
Sorry, probably should have put the full quote:

However, as the Weta crew found out during King Kong, having an actor play a CG character 100% produces absurd amounts of data that has to be managed and dealt with. That's why Serkis is only really acting for Kong in the 'calmer', not action-intense scenes; and that was a prestigious $500 million production.

But that was 2008. Motion-capture has come much farther since then. Look at the recent Christmas Carol remake. Disney did that with motion capture, and I'm fairly sure it had less of a budget then 500 mil.

Not to mention that Godzilla is a hell of a lot slower than Kong. At least in his typical movements.

I was just saying that cause Godzilla on film is slow and lumbering doesn't necessarily mean that the filming process will produce less data to deal with.

[omgitsgodzilla]

Not to mention that Godzilla is a hell of a lot slower than Kong. At least in his typical movements.

Yeah but the way Godzilla is filmed the actor moves at an accelerated pace and the camera speed is adjusted to make it appear as if he is moving slow and sluggish.

That was due to the need to make the miniatures and suit appear bigger and heavier. With CGI all that can be done in the computer, allowing the actor to move at the same speed Godzilla will appear to move in the film.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

Am I the only one that really doesn't care if suitmation doesnt return to the Godzilla series?

If not, good.

[Killswitch]

Am I the only one that really doesn't care if suitmation doesnt return to the Godzilla series?

If not, good.

For this genre to grow, it needs to get with the times. That's why its so important for this new LP movie to do well.

[Showa Gyaos]

I don't want rubber suits to go away entirely, but if LP makes its point with a CGI Godzilla that looks more realistic, I suppose it's time to retire the technique.

[Legion1979]

When the Japanese Godzilla stops being a guy in a suit he stops being Godzilla. Period.

Tsuburaya gets it.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

When the Japanese Godzilla stops being a guy in a suit he stops being Godzilla. Period.

Tsuburaya gets it.

Tsuburaya is dead.

Even the company is.

[Tyler]

When the Japanese Godzilla stops being a guy in a suit he stops being Godzilla. Period.

I don't agree with this.

Even the company is.

Well, Ultraman's doing a lot better than Godzilla right now.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

When the Japanese Godzilla stops being a guy in a suit he stops being Godzilla. Period.

I don't agree with this.

Even the company is.

Well, Ultraman's doing a lot better than Godzilla right now.

Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and various other tokusatsu shows have been on a down turn.

[King Caesar]

Do you know what's been on the rise lately, if anything?

[Crocodile]

Do you know what's been on the rise lately, if anything?

Gas Prices

[Legion1979]

Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and various other tokusatsu shows have been on a down turn.

Oooookay.

[Showa Gyaos]

That is a frightening thought. Even the tokusatsu genre is depreciated?

[StonedHope]

IS the argument for CGI, that its more convincing??

I think the Godzilla suit was at its most convincing in GMK and that was 10 years ago. Many are talking about the improvements of Japanese CG (budget CG) and that its at the point where it can take the place of suitmation.

But the art of the man in the suit has also been growing (i haven't been follow much of any kaiju movies since GFW so I'm not speaking from viewers perspective, I'm just saying its been a long time since GMK, there has to be more the industries can do with less).

I think it'd be sick to lean towards the sin city style of filming, where you have the suit and limited set pieces around the actor with the rest filled in digitally. Mixed with a healthy dose of total CG Godzilla for shots that require it and you can pull off a convincing Suited Godzilla.

[Tyler]

Do you know what's been on the rise lately, if anything?

Gas Prices

Insanity.

[King Caesar]

Stupid answers.

[Goji]

Stupid answers.

Oh believe me, you're guilty of this as well.

[King Caesar]

Oh I know, I just try to keep that stuff pm the down low

[Crocodile]

Stupid answers.

I'm sure if I wanted to I could compile a satisfactory list of things on the rise

[Captain Aktion]

This is a simple question to me, really. Of course they should use suits. Weta and now other spx houses have proven that you can merge practical effects with cg. Look at the storming of Isengard in Two Towers. That contains a mix of miniatures and cg that created a tactile feeling while allowing the precision and detail of modern effects. Replace the setting with a city and Ents with Kaiju and see what you get. I, for the life of me, cannot understand why anyone isn't thinking the Gollum route. I'm not saying a straight up mo-cap suit, but an honest to God awesome G suit WITH mo-cap. The effects and flexibility would be incredible. Think: Rather than film in slow-mo to get the effect of mass and weight, you can isolate and control the speed of the actor alone, while allowing other effects to work in their proper speed. You still get the authenticity of an actor in the role (which is the #1 problem with G'98) and can relate to it being there as an actual character, but all the benefits of modern attention to detail and perfection, plus Legendary or Toho or whomever gets to take credit for their cutting-edge blending of technology. It's a win, win and no-brainer, again, in my opinion.