The Lost Legacy of The Works: A Pre-Pixar CGI Odyssey
In the annals of computer animation, few projects are as enigmatic and captivating as The Works. This lost chapter in the history of digital artistry, produced at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in the 1970s, is the subject of the documentary Inside The Works, directed by Ziggy Cashmere. The film, a poignant and captivating record of a unique era in animation and computer graphics, has garnered over 12,000 views on YouTube in its first five days, sparking curiosity and fascination among viewers.
What makes The Works so intriguing is its place in the early digital era, a time when the pioneers of computer graphics were forging new paths. The project was the brainchild of Alex Schure, a fast-talking millionaire investor and founder of NYIT, who envisioned a feature film using cutting-edge computer animation technology. Schure's vision was akin to trying to draw with a missile, according to Tom Sito, but he invited animators and CG artists to establish NYIT's sprawling campus, fostering a unique mix of computer graphics boffins and artistically inclined animators.
The result was a hotbed of innovation, with the development of groundbreaking tools and techniques. Alvy Smith's 24-bit digital paint system Paint3, Catmull's digital in-between tool Tween, and Smith's eerie 3D demo Sunstone were just a few of the advancements that emerged from this collaborative environment. The project also attracted the attention of industry giants like George Lucas and Richard Edlund, who visited the lab, further cementing its significance in the history of computer animation.
The Works itself was a science fiction feature with a unique premise: robots had overrun planet Earth. The project's scope expanded beyond its initial brief, with Lance Williams, the writer and director, proposing a more ambitious vision. The documentary showcases vintage video of Lance's script, storyboards, and models, including the giant mechanical walking ant and the film's squat robotic hero, Ipso Facto. The creation of T-Square, a pseudo-human character with a woman's face in a mechanical spacesuit, is a testament to NYIT's innovation in early camera-tracking technology.
However, the project's success was short-lived. The decline and fall of NYIT were precipitated by artistic temperaments clashing with Schure's vision and the fear-driven ambitions to monetize the campus. The production of a feature film, Strawberry Fields, was abandoned in 1984, leaving behind a hybrid CG/2D-animated movie that received mixed reviews. The NYIT studio shuttered in 1992, marking the end of an era of digital ambition and innovation.
Inside The Works is a captivating and poignant documentary that brings to light a lost chapter in the history of computer animation. It serves as a reminder of the pioneering efforts of the early digital era and the challenges faced by those who dared to push the boundaries of what was possible. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolution of computer graphics and the legacy of the visionaries who laid the foundation for the industry we know today.
In my opinion, The Works is a testament to the power of human creativity and innovation. It showcases the potential of technology to enhance artistic expression and the importance of collaboration and experimentation in the creative process. The documentary is a fascinating glimpse into a lost era, one that inspires and reminds us of the endless possibilities that lie ahead in the world of digital art.
