a. Thesis: Miniature model making has always been an important aspect of special effects in movies. Miniatures have appeared in some of the most influential VFX films.
II. MINIATURES IN EARLY CINEMA
a. Miniatures have been used since the beginning of filmmaking.
b. Georges Méliès
c. Early examples: Metropolis, The Ten Commandments, Citizen Kane
III. SCI-FI & STUNT MINIATURES
a. Iconic sci-fi films: Blade Runner, Star Trek, Star Wars trilogy
b. Stunt Miniatures: destructive work, like explosions, floods, fires, etc. (i.e. Terminator & Independence Day)
c. Shots look more realistic and are less expensive to create
IV. MINIATURES & COMPOSITING
a. Motion Control Photography
b. Miniatures + Live Action/CG Background
V. MINIATURES W/CG ELEMENTS
a. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
b. Compositing with models and matte paintings
c. Recognition: 3 VFX Academy Awards.
VI. CONCLUSION
a. Miniatures played a major role in changing the way we see things in films ever since the early days of filmmaking.
b. They have proven to be an effective method of achieving the look special effects artists want.
