For those that are really amped over Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” (like us), the film just got a little more awesome — it will apparently have no CGI. We reported earlier that Douglas Trumbull, famed for designing the star gate sequence in “2001:A Space Odyssey,” was going to do the effects for “Tree of Life.” In an interview with Vanity Fair, Trumbull has claimed that Malick came to him for help on the effects, expressing his distaste with CG. “I said, ‘Why not do it the old way? The way we did it in 2001?'” So, much like this year’s other hugely anticipated sci-fi, “Inception,” will most of the effects will be done in camera? We hope so. Trumbull didn’t say much else about “Tree of Life,” as Malick is very secretive about his films in-production.
“Avatar” also impresses Trumbull, who doesn’t seem to strictly like things the classic way. “(It’s) a technology-enabled out-of-body experience,” he says. With “Avatar” taking audiences and critics alike with its arresting CG images (and little else), why are Terrence Malick and Christopher Nolan hesitant about using full blown digital effects? With “Avatar” taking giant steps in the way computer effects are used in film, both Nolan and Malick seem to think old-school effects fit their narratives better. As Nolan noted in an interview with the LA Times, “When the big movies of the ’70s were being made they didn’t have access to computer graphics and so forth so things had to be done either through extraordinary stunt work or building extraordinary sets, or through the enhancement of miniatures and the optical effects of the time. So I have a great fondness for the large scale films that really tried to create a world that you could get lost in, in a very credible manner and so I’ve tried to preserve that as a working methodology and we use new technologies where they are appropriate.” And it would seem that Malick is thinking along similar lines. Their approach is one that will use digital effects as a tool to help flesh out their shots, rather than use it to conceive their vision as a whole.
So if “Inception” and ‘Tree of Life’ fare very well, does that mean more movies will use CGI more sparingly? Don’t count on it, even though studios should take notice and realize there are alternatives to CGI. Science fiction films don’t always have to look like cartoons. But maybe these two philosophically-rich films will inspire other filmmakers to do the same, making their effects more creatively. And hopefully banish the 3D fad once and for all.
As for Trumbull, he mentions that he has two modestly budgeted sci-fi movies in the works, which is surprising as he has not directed a feature film since 1983’s “Brainstorm.” After the death of Natalie Wood, one of the main characters in “Brainstorm,” Trumbull became disgusted with the Hollywood machine as dealt with lawyers and insurance companies. With two films on the way, it seems that he has either changed his heart or decided to make a comeback independently. Trumbull is without a doubt a pioneer in special effects, but his work as a director isn’t as amazing. This writer has only seen “Silent Running,” which was uncomfortably silly in its direction and subject matter. With almost three decades since his last film, whatever Trumbull has to say will probably be radically different, and here’s hoping that he, as a director, has grown more mature.
With ‘Tree of Life’ reportedly 97% done, maybe we’ll end up seeing it in the fall as planned. With Malick’s track record, though, anything’s possible, even with the film being so close to completion.