When Christoph Waltz threw out the line “CGI is for losers” at the Venice Film Festival, it was meant as a joke – but it sparked a serious discussion in the industry. With Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein praised for its practical approach, the spotlight turned back to the value of real-world effects.
Our own Danny Hargreaves was invited onto BBC Radio Wales to join the debate and explain why, at Real SFX, we believe practical effects will always remain relevant.
Explosions, fire, flames, bullet rigs, elemental effects – in Danny’s words, these are “the fun part of filming, providing the magic.” They bring authenticity, energy, and creativity to set in a way digital tools alone can’t replicate.
That said, we don’t see CGI as the enemy. Far from it. The most powerful work comes when the two disciplines collaborate. A standout example is the Arley House explosion: our practical blast set the stage, while VFX seamlessly brought the building down in post. Neither would have been as effective without the other.
As Danny warned, the danger lies in moving towards a world that is entirely digital. Strip away the physical, and filmmaking risks losing spontaneity, authenticity, and craft.
So what do you think? Is CGI really “for losers”, or is the future of filmmaking about keeping practical effects alive while embracing the best of both worlds?
Check out Danny’s full interview below.
