A Feast for the Eyes: The History of VFX and Its Thanksgiving Connection
- AVG Guild
- Nov 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 19
History of VFX
As Thanksgiving rolls around, most of us think of roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and cozy evenings surrounded by loved ones. But there’s another kind of feast we often enjoy this time of year — one that takes place not in the kitchen, but on the screen. From magical animated turkeys to epic fantasy worlds, the visual feast we enjoy every holiday owes everything to the history of VFX (visual effects).
Much like a Thanksgiving meal, VFX is all about collaboration, creativity, and the perfect mix of ingredients. Artists, engineers, and storytellers come together to craft experiences that stir emotion, ignite wonder, and bring imagination to life.
The Humble Beginnings of Movie Magic
The history of VFX began long before computers entered the scene. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, filmmakers like Georges Méliès pioneered practical effects using stop-motion, double exposure, and clever camera tricks. His 1902 classic A Trip to the Moon featured painted backdrops, hand-tinted frames, and smoke effects that made audiences believe in the impossible.
These early innovators were, in many ways, the “chefs” of cinema — experimenting with ingredients like mirrors, miniatures, and lighting to create new illusions. Every trick shot was a recipe of artistry and experimentation, and each discovery pushed the medium further toward what we now know as modern VFX.
The Golden Age of Practical Effects
By the mid-20th century, filmmakers refined techniques like matte painting, rear projection, and stop-motion animation. Movies such as King Kong (1933) and The Wizard of Oz (1939) amazed audiences with larger-than-life effects.
As Hollywood matured, these techniques became the backbone of blockbuster filmmaking. In the 1970s and 80s, the world witnessed groundbreaking innovation — Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind blended model work, optical printing, and motion-controlled cameras to redefine cinematic realism.
It was a time when VFX artists worked much like a Thanksgiving kitchen crew — with precision, timing, and teamwork — ensuring every element blended perfectly to create an unforgettable experience.
The Digital Revolution: CGI Takes the Stage
The 1990s marked a turning point in the history of VFX with the birth of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Films like Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Jurassic Park proved that digital effects could be both believable and emotionally powerful. The first fully CGI character, the T-1000, and the lifelike dinosaurs stunned audiences, forever changing cinema.
Then came Toy Story (1995), the first fully computer-animated film, which opened a new era where digital tools became the cornerstone of storytelling. CGI made it possible to render the impossible — from galaxy-spanning adventures in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace to underwater worlds in Finding Nemo.
Just as Thanksgiving recipes evolve with each generation, so too did VFX — layering tradition with innovation to create something timeless.
Modern Marvels: Virtual Worlds and Real Emotion
Fast-forward to today, and the VFX landscape has grown more sophisticated than ever. Films like Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, and Dune rely on advanced motion capture, virtual production, and real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine. Artists can now sculpt entire universes — from hyper-realistic alien planets to photoreal characters indistinguishable from live action.
The artistry of VFX lies not just in spectacle but in emotion. The shimmer of a tear, the flicker of a flame, or the soft glow of a sunrise are all carefully designed. In that sense, modern VFX artists are digital storytellers — crafting feelings as much as images.
It’s the same principle behind Thanksgiving: it’s not just about the food; it’s about the feeling it creates — connection, warmth, and gratitude.
The Spirit of Collaboration
Behind every breathtaking visual moment lies a massive team effort. Just as Thanksgiving dinner brings together cooks, bakers, and helpers, the visual effects process unites animators, modelers, texture artists, compositors, and lighting specialists.
Each department contributes its own “dish” to the cinematic feast. The modelers build the world’s structure, animators breathe life into movement, and compositors blend everything seamlessly — all under the direction of a visionary filmmaker.
Collaboration, communication, and creativity are the secret ingredients to success. Without them, even the most advanced technology can’t deliver true movie magic.
A Thanksgiving Reflection: Gratitude for Creativity
As you relax after your Thanksgiving meal and flip on a holiday classic or blockbuster film, take a moment to appreciate the artistry behind every frame. The history of VFX is more than a timeline of technology — it’s a testament to human imagination and perseverance.
From hand-painted glass plates to virtual production stages, VFX continues to evolve, reminding us that the most important ingredient in art — and in Thanksgiving — is people working together.
This season, give thanks not only for the feast on your table but for the creative minds who keep feeding our imaginations.
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