EDIT: For even better proof, check out the trailer for this film that Michael Ashton created for $300. He’s a special effects guy, so he has the experience. If you were going to add on the location fees of the place he borrowed, the money he would have charged someone else, the cost of his computer and camera, etc. then it’s not quite as ridiculous. But that’s some low-budget beauty!

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…water before the great droughts of this century, that is.

In a recent post I discussed the implications of lower costs of filmmaking on studio models. We had a discussion in the comments about the types of high-budget films studios will be able to make. If the last few years of technological progress haven’t convinced you that even the best visual effects technology is quickly becoming possible for anyone, just look at what the geniuses at PhotoSketch have developed:

Get more information on the process from the Gawker article:

According to authors, their software can take any rough sketch, with the shape of each element labeled with its name, find images corresponding to each drawn element, judge which are a better match to the shapes, and then seamlessly merge it all into one single image.

PhotoSketch’s blending algorithm analyzes each of these images, compares them with each other, and decides which are better for the blending process. It automatically traces and places them into a single photograph, matching the scene, and adding shadows. Of course, the results are less than perfect, but they are good enough.

Mark my words, you will be able to create Benjamin Button on a home computer. 3D HD cameras will cost several thousand dollars. Prepare for the changes because they are coming!