Introduction: Have You Ever Wondered…?
You’re sitting in a theatre. The lights go dim. On the screen, a spaceship rises over a glowing alien planet. In a blink, you’re pulled into another world — one where superheroes soar, cities crumble in slow motion, and mythical creatures roam freely.
But have you ever paused and asked yourself… “How do they make all this look so real?”
That sense of wonder you feel? It’s no accident. It’s the result of two powerful tools that have quietly revolutionised the film industry: CGI and VFX.
Now, you might have heard these terms thrown around — maybe in a behind-the-scenes video or on the credits of your favourite movie. But what do they mean? Are they the same? Which one does what?
If you’re curious about how movies are made — or better yet, if you dream of crafting those cinematic illusions yourself — then you’re in precisely the right place. Whether you’re an aspiring artist looking for a VFX course in Thane or just a movie buff who wants to know what happens behind the green screen, this guide is going to break it all down for you in plain, simple language.
The New Age of Cinema: When Imagination Meets Technology
Think back to the old days of film, when monsters were just men in rubber suits and epic battle scenes were shot with a handful of extras and clever camera angles. Don’t get us wrong, those movies had charm. But what tools do filmmakers have today? They’re in a whole different universe.
In today’s cinema, anything is possible.
Want to bring dinosaurs back to life? Done. Create a fantasy world with floating islands? Easy. Turn an actor into an ageing wizard or a blue alien? Just another day at the studio.
And that’s because modern storytelling isn’t limited by reality anymore. Technology has kicked the door wide open. Directors, artists, and editors now work with powerful software, green screens, motion capture suits, and digital brushes. With these, they don’t just tell stories — they build worlds, layer by layer.
At the centre of this visual revolution are two creative forces: CGI and VFX.
CGI and VFX in Cinema: What Do They Actually Do?
Let’s break this down in a way that makes sense, without all the jargon.
What is CGI, really?
CGI stands for Computer-Generated Imagery — but that’s just a fancy way of saying “images created on a computer.”
Imagine drawing a cartoon dragon by hand. Now imagine doing that same dragon digitally — but in 3D, fully textured, and animated to roar, fly, and breathe fire. That’s CGI. It’s used to create things that don’t exist — characters, environments, even objects.
Some entire movies, like Frozen or Shrek, are made entirely using CGI. No actors. No sets. Just pure imagination and computer magic.
And VFX?
VFX, short for Visual Effects, is like the behind-the-scenes magician. It’s all about adding to or changing what’s already been filmed.
Let’s say a director films an actor running on a green screen. The background is just a blank wall. But when does the movie hit the screen? Boom — the actor is sprinting through a burning city during a zombie apocalypse. That’s VFX in action.
It combines live-action footage with other elements, such as CGI creatures, weather effects, digital fire, and even subtle details like a different sky.
In short:
- CGI creates the dragon.
- VFX makes that dragon fly through a real city and breathe fire onto a moving car.
CGI vs VFX Explained: Why They’re Not the Same
People often use the terms CGI and VFX interchangeably, and while they do work together, they’re not quite the same thing. Think of them like flour and cake. One is an ingredient, the other is the finished dessert.
Let’s walk through a few key differences.
1. CGI is created from scratch. VFX is added to real footage.
CGI is what you use when something doesn’t exist — like a digital spaceship, or an alien. It’s created entirely using computer software.
VFX, meanwhile, takes real footage — like an actor on a green screen — and adds CGI elements to it. It makes the spaceship fly. It makes the alien interact with the hero. It blends everything so it looks seamless.
2. CGI can exist on its own. VFX is always part of a bigger picture.
You can have a fully CGI movie — like an animated film or a game cutscene — with no real-life actors or locations.
VFX, however, almost always works with something that’s already been shot — enhancing, modifying, or completing it. It’s what brings CGI into the real world.
3. CGI is about building. VFX is about storytelling.
CGI is focused on modelling, animating, and rendering visuals — it’s like digital sculpting.
VFX is more about the big picture — how those elements appear, move, and fit within a scene. It’s about illusion. It’s about making sure the dragon’s reflection shows up in the glass of a nearby skyscraper. About making you believe it’s real.
Key Differences You Need to Understand
Let’s recap — but in everyday terms:
- CGI is the art of creating digital content (characters, buildings, explosions).
- VFX is the process of putting those digital creations into the final movie, alongside actors, props, and real-life backgrounds.
In a superhero film:
- The hero’s costume and powers? CGI.
- The scene where the city crumbles, he flies through debris, and lands on a rooftop? VFX.
They’re both essential. But they do different jobs — one builds the puzzle pieces, the other assembles the whole thing into a picture we believe.
Want to Create Movie Magic? Try a VFX Course in Thane
If all this sounds exciting — if you find yourself imagining creatures, explosions, or entire planets — then maybe this isn’t just a passing curiosity.
Maybe it’s your calling.
And you don’t have to go to Hollywood to learn how it’s done. You don’t even have to leave your city. A high-quality VFX course in Thane can be your gateway into the world of cinema, advertising, gaming, and beyond.
What You’ll Learn in a VFX Course:
- 3D Modelling & CGI: Learn how to create characters, props, and environments from scratch.
- Animation: Make your creations move, jump, fly, explode, or smile.
- Compositing & Green Screen Work: Learn how to blend real footage with CGI elements.
- Tracking & Rotoscoping: Match camera movements and isolate objects for better integration.
- Simulations: Want to create fire, rain, snow, or crumbling buildings? This is where you’ll learn how.
- Final Post-Production: Learn how to polish everything so it feels natural and believable.
Who Is It For?
- Creative students fresh out of 12th grade.
- Budding filmmakers, designers, and animators.
- Curious minds who love movies, games, and digital art.
- Anyone looking for a future-proof, high-demand career in a growing industry.
Why Choose e-Drishyam: Thane’s Creative Playground
At e-Drishyam, we’re more than just an institute — we’re a launchpad for creative souls.
Our VFX course in Thane is built for real-world success. It’s hands-on, industry-relevant, and taught by people who’ve worked on commercials, movies, and digital content. But more than anything else, it’s human. We mentor, guide, and believe in our students.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Real Studio Environment: Practice in labs that feel like working on a real project.
- Experienced Mentors: Learn from professionals who’ve “been there, done that.”
- Live Projects: Work on short films, ads, and more — not just theory.
- Career Guidance: From portfolio reviews to placement assistance, we’ve got your back.
Whether you dream of working in Bollywood, at an international VFX house, or starting your studio, e-Drishyam helps you build the foundation.
Conclusion: The Magic Behind Every Frame
When you next watch a film and your jaw drops at a scene — a creature, a chase, a collapsing bridge — remember that behind that moment is a mix of imagination, software, and a lot of skill.
CGI vs VFX — it’s not a battle. It’s a beautiful partnership. One creates, the other integrates. One builds the different blends. And together, they shape the stories that move us.
If you’re reading this and feeling a spark, maybe this is your sign. Don’t just admire the magic. Learn to make it.
At e-Drishyam, our VFX course in Thane is designed to turn your creative potential into a real career. With the proper training, mentorship, and tools, your dreams don’t have to stay behind the screen. They can live on it.
Ready to start your visual storytelling journey?
Join us at e-Drishyam — and become the artist behind the magic millions watch.