FX Team Reveals How 'CSI' Got Its Look

This year, the Visual Effects Society's VES-VFX Festival of Visual Effects this year featured Anatomy of CSI, a discussion panel held to give away the secrets of CSI's special effects.

The special effects team revealed that part of their success is the support they get from the CSI powers-that-be. Andrew Orloff, visual effects supervisor for CSI and CSI: Miami, is also glad the franchise cares more about the quality than the cost. "Other shows don't want your ideas until they hear what their idea is going to cost."

One of the challenges the team faces is turning California into the streets of New York. Max Ivins, the visual effects supervisor for CSI: New York. But after the first couple of episodes it was evident that the team had pulled it off. "We really do catch quite a break because of ... the high contrast and stylized look and shallow depth of field," Orloff added.

"We take a lot of pride in doing the basics so they don't show," Max Ivins, the visual effects supervisor for CSI: New York, said. "When it flies through the editing room like principal photography, then we know we've done our job."

And according to the CSI honchos, they have. Writer Eli Talbert took the opportunity to reveal his favorite special effect. "My favorite shots have always been the snap zooms," he said. "You're traveling with the camera down to the micro level. I think that's the signature shot of CSI'"

The rest of the article can be found on the June 26th edition of the Hollywood Reporter. Thanks to Al Forno for the transcript.

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