Practical Effects vs CGI - When to Use Each

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Split-screen comparison showing practical effects vs CGI — on the left, an actor with blood and dirt on his face reacting amid a real explosion; on the right, a digitally created monster with glowing eyes in a dark, smoky environment, highlighting the difference between real and computer-generated effects.

As filmmakers and VFX artists, we constantly choose between the tactile charm of practical effects and the limitless power of CGI. This post breaks down their strengths, weaknesses, and storytelling impact, plus how to combine both for professional-looking results on any budget.

🎥 Why This Choice Matters

Choosing between practical effects and CGI isn’t just a technical decision, it affects your actors’ performance, your production workflow, and the believability of your story. Knowing when to use each can save you money and make your film look ten times better.

Quick Summary

  • Use practical effects when real interaction and lighting are key.
  • Use CGI when safety, scale, or impossible visuals are needed.
  • Most professionals combine both. practical first, CGI polish later.

🧨 Practical Effects - Strengths & When to Choose Them

Practical effects involve everything physically done on set: makeup, prosthetics, pyrotechnics, miniatures, or mechanical rigs. They provide realism and natural lighting that can’t always be replicated in post.

  • Authentic reactions: Actors perform better when reacting to real elements.
  • Natural lighting: Physical elements catch light naturally, reducing post work.
  • Affordable for close shots: Small practical effects can cost less than CGI.
  • Organic texture: Imperfections make scenes feel authentic.

Use practicals for scenes involving physical touch, blood splatter, close stunts, or where texture and realism matter most.

Examples

  • Makeup and prosthetics for horror characters
  • Fake blood hits (squibs)
  • Miniature explosions for vehicle shots
  • Practical smoke, rain, or fire

💻 CGI - Strengths & When to Choose It

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) is best for visuals that are unsafe, impossible, or too expensive to create physically. It gives full creative control, but requires skill and time to look realistic.

  • Unlimited creativity: Build worlds, creatures, or effects that can’t exist physically.
  • Safe large-scale destruction: Explosions, crashes, and creatures without danger.
  • Reusability: Digital assets can be reused across scenes.
  • Perfect control: Adjust lighting, motion, and details anytime.

Use CGI for large-scale scenes, dangerous stunts, or anything requiring digital precision.

Examples

  • 3D environments or planets
  • Massive crowd simulations
  • Digital doubles or monsters
  • City-wide explosions

⚡ The Hybrid Approach - Best of Both Worlds

Modern filmmaking blends both. For example, film a real explosion and use CGI to extend debris or add lighting. This hybrid method gives realism with digital flexibility.

  • On-set practicals: Capture real light and texture.
  • CGI extension: Add enhancement or background in post.
  • Perfect mix: Real props + digital polish = cinematic balance.

💰 Budget & Time Considerations

  • Practical: Cheaper for small effects but expensive for complex setups (e.g., fire or controlled explosions).
  • CGI: Expensive upfront but scalable and safer; poor-quality CGI hurts realism, so don’t under-budget.

Rule: If you can safely shoot it practically, do it. If not, go digital — but ensure your CGI quality matches your footage.

🎭 Storytelling Reasons to Choose Each

  • Practical: Gritty realism, emotional texture, close-up intensity.
  • CGI: Grand spectacle, surreal or futuristic visuals.
  • Genre tip: Horror = practical. Sci-fi/fantasy = CGI. Action = mix both.

🎬 Workflow Tips for Blending Both

  1. Plan effects early during preproduction.
  2. Shoot clean plates and HDRI for post-match lighting.
  3. Use reference props for correct eye-lines and light.
  4. Collaborate: VFX + SFX + cinematographer = consistent look.

📚 Related Posts

❓ Quick FAQ

Is practical effects always cheaper than CGI?
Not always. Small-scale effects can be cheaper, but complex setups can exceed CGI costs.
Can indie filmmakers combine both?
Yes! Start practical on set and use CGI for enhancement or cleanup.
What’s the easiest hybrid for beginners?
Use a physical prop and add digital fire, smoke, or particles later in editing.

🎯 Final Thoughts

In the end, both practical effects and CGI are storytelling tools. The smartest filmmakers blend them creatively — grounding imagination in reality and enhancing reality with imagination.

Want to master both worlds? Read our guide on Breaking Down a VFX Shot for hands-on techniques to integrate them seamlessly.

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