The Cost and Ethics of Face CGI in Filmmaking

Have you ever wondered why filmmakers don't simply replace actors' faces with CGI when creating a film like Furious 7? The answer is multifaceted, involving both cost and ethical considerations.

The Cost

Using face CGI is a complex and resource-intensive process. It involves a series of highly skilled artists and technicians who must gather and process extensive data, such as detailed head scans, facial motion capture, lighting setups, and extensive render times. The end result is a highly realistic and seamless integration of the CGI face into the scene.

The process is far from simple. It requires head scanning, motion capture of facial expressions, precise lighting to match the environment, and extensive rendering times to ensure the CGI face blends seamlessly with the rest of the scene. This is why it's generally cost-prohibitive for most films to use extensive face CGI.

All-CGI Actors

Another consideration is the fact that some films do indeed use CGI actors, but not for face replacement. Movies like Avatar and The Mandalorian heavily feature CGI characters. In these cases, the same actor often plays multiple characters through the use of motion capture technology and advanced CGI techniques.

As technology continues to evolve, we are likely to see more films where a single actor plays multiple roles using CGI. However, this is typically done for full-body characters, rather than face replacement, due to the complex nature of facial expressions.

Actor Reaction and Ethical Considerations

Actors have mixed feelings about face CGI. When asked in a college lecture about the possibility of face replacement in films, an animator working on a movie like The Matrix Reloaded noted that the prospect seemed years away at the time. However, even as the technology has advanced, there is still a strong taboo against replacing the performances of actors with CGI versions.

Ian McKellen, a renowned actor, expressed his discomfort with the idea. He referred to a situation in which he found the process of filming The Hobbit through face replacement CGI so frustrating that he actually cried.

In his words, 'I cried. I cried. Then I said out loud This is not why I became an actor.' Unfortunately, the microphone was on and the whole studio heard.

McKellen's reaction is a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection in acting. The ability to interact with another character on-camera, especially in emotional scenes, requires a level of authenticity that cannot easily be replicated through CGI.

The Future of Acting in CGI

Despite the challenges, there are certainly cutting-edge examples of facial performance alteration. A video from Disney Research Hub, FaceDirector: Continuous Control of Facial Performance in Video, demonstrates how advanced techniques can help filmmakers maintain the integrity of the performance.

However, it is clear that for the foreseeable future, the most difficult aspect of acting replacement through CGI is the interaction with another human. When two characters are sharing a scene and one or both have their faces replaced with CGI, it can disrupt the illusion and highlight the artificial nature of the performance.

As technology continues to advance, we may see more attempts to overcome these challenges. But for now, the most effective way to use CGI in acting is to enhance the performance of a live actor, rather than replace it entirely.

Will we see a day when face replacement CGI is standard in filmmaking? Maybe, but it will come at a significant cost and with a great deal of debate over its impact on the art of acting.