Nebula Release – Digital De-Aging Is Changing Movies (For The Worse)
Added 2025-08-04 12:41:58 +0000 UTCAfter a bit of a delay because I was directing something for Nebula in July, we're back! With another "grumpy Patrick complains about modern movies" episode! but it's a fun one I promise.
Comments
Hi Patrick (and Emma and/or Elliot!). Great episode per usual, but as one of your dedicated gay fans, I’m legally obligated to bring up one of the most fabulous examples of deaging and digital cosmetics: Death Becomes Her. Zemeckis utilized a unique blend of hair, practical makeup, digital makeup, prosthetics, and “a touch of magic… in this world obsessed with science” to both age and deage the main cast. And it mostly holds up to this day.
Zachary Byrd
2025-08-06 02:05:48 +0000 UTCGood essay, for once I have a quibble with the essay: isn’t everything negative you’re saying about digital actors true of like… a Studio Ghibli film? The long term trajectory seems like this is getting cheaper. Is that future “all films will be a pure expression of a single director’s vision, no actors, cinematographers or editors”. Maybe that future is even more depressing. I’m not sure. At least with animation you still feel like there was artistry in drawing each frame. What does it mean for fewer and fewer people to be part of a project? And for more and more to be animators *at best*. https://youtu.be/DC98ziDIUlQ?si=JuIlxsZ8S3pCuD04
David F Watson
2025-08-05 00:24:16 +0000 UTC
