From: "robert winkler" <robert.winkler@canrem.com>
Subject: graphics
Reply-To: "robert winkler" <robert.winkler@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: rec
Date: 27 Jan 93 17:14:33 EST

Re: graphics in Space Rangers & especially in Babylon 5

Hi Everybody!

I've just been thinking about the recent development in computer
graphics, & had a brainrush (yeah... it was painful too), so I decided
to share my invaluable thoughts.

     That is, has anybody ever wondered where this field leads to? If
you've read about Babylon 5, seen a few pictures, perhaps even ordered
the Video Toaster FREE demo tape (VHS; T: 1-800-368-5441), or just
watched Space Rangers, you must've noticed that, despite the obviously
questionable quality of animation in the latter, the Toaster (& surely
other products in the near future) offer ASTONISHINGLY real graphics.
The spaceships & structures, all drawn & none built as a model, look
absolutely real to the untrained eyes - in fact, according to the
makers of Babylon 5, even a couple of computer experts failed to
recognize that the images were computer generated!  The makers also
claimed that they were seriously considering of putting one (or more)
computer-drawn characters (!) into the show, & should the movie
continue as a series, they would attempt to do so...

     Now we don't talk about the cartoon quality of The Last
Starfighter any more; these pictures are almost as authentic as any
dogfight sequence from Star Wars. As the Toaster is commercially
available for an affordable price (around 10,000 with all the necessary
gadgets - ok, I'm not gonna buy it tomorrow, & neither are you I guess,
but it's certainly closer to the budget than a Cray), within a few
years such machines can become a household item at any movie studio.

     So what's the future? I'm pretty sure in about fifteen years
there'll be no actors or actresses needed, or make-up artists,
stuntmen, costume makers, etc. The typical Hollywood movie of 2008 will
be made by the director, editor, some designers, & a whole bunch of
computer artists.

     There'll be a number of warehouses selling ready-made character
programs with synthetized voice, in A, B, & C category;  character-
studios that specialize in inventing (or recreating) new actor/-tress
`modules' (See Bogart in the newest episode of The Maradeurs of Venus!
Monroe, Chaplin & Costner in Star Wars 21 - The Revenge of Yoda's
Illegitimate Son from Leia !).
     The stars will be those artists who create especially memorable
characters; `worn-out' programs will be sold at discount prices to low-
grade studios; there'll be (what the heck, there ARE already !) ready-
made set programs (castle from about the 15th century with 5 complete
interior & 1 exterior module; modules for 3 rooms of 19th century
German furniture, etc).
     Oh, & let's not forget the cars, airplanes, spaceships, etc. Other
warehouses will specialize on `raw' talents (Send in your own design,
we pay Big Bucks for it ! & in lower case letters: $ 100 per dozen...).

     Of course, it will be combined with virtual reality, & then...
Yeah, what then ? People're not gonna be anxious to buy anything - hey,
if I wanna drive a Ferrari or an X-wing fighter, take a vacation in
Thailand or on the Mars, I just walk into my sensor room !  I'm not
gonna bother with eating elaborate meals - just pop in a few nutrition
tablets, & if I want the pleasure I can eat a 24 course meal with Henry
VIII, without the stomachache ! Oh, & talking about pleasure... who's
gonna need sex?

     I know there's nothing new in what I'm saying - Total Recall had
something similar to it, so does TNG, & even before these two there was
an EXCELLENT SF short story about it (can't recall the author - it was
told from an actress' point of view who had doubts about her art, &
then settled for a pilot in real life, but... Could anybody help?).

What's interesting (or frightening, depending on where you stand),
however, that it's not a matter of some distant future any more. It can
become REALITY within 10-15 years...


...program ended...we hope you enjoyed our latest feature from
Virsenreal...look for our next program on 20th century BBS dreamers in
a store close to you...program ended...

Robert
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.movies