1 Computer Generated Imagery in The Woman King Alexandrea Obey-Fabiyi ARH 320 May 1, 2023 2 The Woman King is a historical drama film that tells the story of a powerful African female warrior, who leads her tribe against French colonialism. In this paper, I will reflect on the role played by CGI/3D animation in the film and how it enhances its narrative and aesthetic qualities. CGI is a modern film technology that has revolutionized the way filmmakers create and present their movies. It allows filmmakers to create realistic and believable computer-generated images and animations that can seamlessly blend with live-action footage. In The Woman King, the use of CGI is particularly significant, as it enables the filmmakers to create realistic battle scenes and stunning visual effects that bring the story to life. One of the most notable uses of CGI in The Woman King is in the battle scenes. The film features several epic battles, and the use of CGI allows the filmmakers to create large-scale battles that would have been impossible to film using practical effects alone, it also enhances the realism of the battle scenes, as the filmmakers can add details such as dust, debris, and blood splatter, which make the scenes more visceral and intense. In addition to the battle scenes, CGI is also used to create several visual effects that enhance the film's aesthetic qualities. For example, the filmmakers use to create stunning landscapes, such as the African savannah, which serve as a backdrop for many of the film's scenes. It also allows the filmmakers to create realistic animals, such as lions and elephants, which add to the film's immersive quality. The Woman King works to stretch the limits of CGI by using it in innovative ways that enhance the film's narrative, like the filmmakers use the technology to create a realistic and immersive world that transports the viewer to 18th-century Africa. It allows the filmmakers to create battle scenes that are more intense and realistic than would have been possible using practical effects alone. 3 In Lev Manovich's article, "What is Digital Cinema?" he discusses how digital cinema has revolutionized the way filmmakers create and present their movies. He notes that digital cinema allows filmmakers to create new visual languages that were not possible with traditional film techniques. The Woman King is a prime example of how 3D animation can be used to create a new visual language that enhances the storytelling of a film. The Woman King also pushes the boundaries of CGI by using it in a historical context. It shows that the filmmakers thoroughly researched the Dahomey Kingdom's history and culture to create a realistic portrayal of the Kingdom's people and their struggles. Using it in a historical context demonstrates how technology can bring lesser-known histories and cultures to life. While CGI has been used in historical films before, The Woman King is unique in its use of this technique to create an accurate representation of African history. The film showcases the potential of CGI to contribute to social and cultural awareness by bringing to life a previously overlooked historical era In conclusion, CGI/3D animation plays a significant role in The Woman King, enabling the filmmakers to create realistic battle scenes and stunning visual effects that enhance the film's narrative and aesthetic qualities. The film's use of it stretches the limits of the technology, creating a new visual language that immerses the viewer in the world of 18th-century Africa. Overall, The Woman King is a testament to the power of modern film technology and its ability to enhance the storytelling and aesthetic qualities of a film. 4 References Lev Manovich, "What Is Digital Cinema?" in The Language of New Media (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001), 205-234.
