The international film industry owes much of its success to the Python programming language. Engineers at major Hollywood studios use the language create special effects specific software, and to connect their entire development process.
Movie studios began using Python in the early 1990s because of increased special effects demands and a need for a more universal, easy-to-code language. As a result, Python software development is responsible for many of the most beloved films of the past decade, including the Avengers series, Star Wars, and Transformers.
Engineers utilize Python throughout the entire film development cycle, including modeling, animation, visual effects, and more.
A History of Python in Feature Films
Special effects have been used to add exciting action sequences and otherworldly animations into feature films for over four decades. The first movie to utilize 3D computer graphics was Futureworld, the sequel to Westworld, in 1976. The rest of the industry would soon follow the film’s lead beginning in the early 1980s.
Some of the most popular films of that era, including the Indiana Jones series, the original Star Wars trilogy, and Jurassic Park, used early computers to create cutting-edge effects for that time.
The Phantom Menace, the first film in the second Star Wars trilogy, revolutionized the special effects field. They also introduced Python to the larger film industry.
The sheer amount of special effects used in The Phantom Menace was unheard of at that time. Over 1,900 shots in the film used special effects. Compare that to movies from a year or two prior, which used an average of 30 special effects shots each.
Engineers at Industrial Light & Magic, George Lucas’ special effects studio, struggled to handle the different types of computers and software needed to create these effects. They soon turned to Python to help streamline the system.
Python is a powerful programming language that simplifies code syntax. This allowed engineers to write code quicker. Python also helps the C and C++ languages talk with other types of software, serving as the communications bridge in their development pipeline.
The visual effects industry and Python development companies continue to use the language throughout their movie development cycle and for post-production special effects.
How Does Python Work in Feature Films?
Simplifies the Production Process
Python’s greatest advantage over other programming languages is its ability to be embedded as a scripting language within the entire production system. Scripting languages like Python are extremely useful because they automate tasks that would otherwise demand valuable developer time.
Film studios utilize Python as a scripting language because it is capable of launching specific functions, regardless of whether those functions are written in a different programming language like C or C++.
This type of versatility is important in a large-scale feature film production. It means that engineers can use whatever programs they need without worrying about their source code language. Instead, developers simply re-wrap those programs as Python extension modules.
Visual Effects & Animation
Modeling
The first step in the feature film pipeline is modeling. This department is responsible for building the 3D source geometry that serves as the foundation for all other visual effects and animation.
These 3D imaging programs typically work on a Python API that enables engineers to automate simple scripting. Python developers can reuse scripts to save valuable time that can be spent building more complex special effects assets.
For example, it makes little sense for an engineer to build every background character from scratch. Instead, they can create a script that allows them to quickly select specific properties, such as model height, body shape, and other features. This allows designers to quickly build realistic worlds in a short amount of time.
Rigging
Rigging uses the basic source geometry from the modeling department to create a skeleton that is capable of moving in a 3D space. Essentially, this type of engineer is responsible for ensuring that character shapes look realistic while in movement, even if they do not program the movement itself.
Developers use Python to create reusable code that can automate rig building. Python is also used to build controller libraries. These components use object animators to control rig positions, rather than manipulating the modeling geometry directly.
Animation
The animation department is responsible for creating movement. These designers take the still rigs created by the previous step in the pipeline and imbue them with motion. They’re the ones responsible for making digital characters move, speak, and express emotions like real people.
Python is essential to the animation process. Engineers use the language’s scripting capabilities to create user interfaces for the controller view. This department also uses Python to create constraints. Constraints ensure that an army marches together in formation. They’re also used to ensure that a character and the object in their hand move together in sync.
Character Effects
Python is also used extensively by the character effects department. They use the language to code details into animated characters, such as their hair texture, muscle definition, skin quality, and more.
Movies like the Toy Story and Shrek series use Python to create extremely lifelike characters. This can only be accomplished by building a large number of individual details into each character on the screen. Engineers accomplish this process in a reasonable amount of time by automating much of the process with Python scripts.
Conclusion
Python is an essential resource for the international film industry. Developers have used the language to create billion-dollar movie franchises like the new Star Wars movies, the Marvel Comics universe, and Mission Impossible.
The powerful, easy-to-use programming language is used by movie studios and Python development services to build cutting-edge special effects. It also binds the entire software development cycle together by acting as an important bridge between the C family of languages and other software.
Experts believe that Python will continue to dominate the film industry as movie studios seek to produce more special-effects driven action movies, which dominate at the international box office.
