During the broadcast of the 1992 Grammy Awards, viewers witnessed something historical and unforgettable. Nat King Cole appeared in a duet with his daughter, Natalie Cole, and performed the classic hit “Unforgettable”. The original 1951 song was made famous by Nat King Cole, and had to be remixed substantially to give the illusion of a live duet with his daughter. Natalie was live on the Grammy stage, and her father appeared on a large television screen behind her. The concept was unique and people talked about it in the many weeks that followed. Even more controversial, was the fact that Nat had been deceased since 1965. It was a beautiful rendition, and it is doubtful that any discussions of morality or social correctness were ever presented.
Several years later, in 1995, Forrest Gump took the Academy Awards by storm and captured six categories, including the award for best visual effects. This was the first notable theatrical presentation, where Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) was used, although it was primitive, at best. Forrest Gump was played by Tom Hanks, and the character had the dubious distinction of encountering countless political figures and famous individuals, throughout his travels, during the turbulent 1960’s. John Lennon, Martin Luther King, and John F. Kennedy were just a few of the recognizable faces, that Forrest would come into contact with. The modern-day video images of Tom Hanks, were overlayed onto existing historical footage, to create the desired effect.
In the years that followed, CGI advanced radically and many famous people were resurrected for a curtain call. Marlon Brando made a surprise appearance as Superman’s father in the 1978 movie “Superman: The Movie”. Brando eventually passed, and in 2006, a remake was filmed entitled “Superman Returns”. Film editors used the original footage from 1978 to create a series of images and dialog in an attempt to resurrect Brando, for a final performance. The scenes took place in the fictitious Fortress of Solitude, and Brando portrayed Superman’s “conscience”. The results were a smashing success, and this gave the late actor one more movie credit, to support his lasting legacy.
CGI has been used extensively in recent years, and the technology is now such that there appear to be no limitations on the believability that can be presented on the silver screen. In 2016, the Star Wars saga “Rogue One”, featured scenes depicting the late Peter Cushing, who had been dead for two decades. This was the first film that brought forward notable dialog and controversy within the industry, regarding the usage of deceased personalities as featured actors. The question of morality was stepping to the forefront, as a non-living person cannot give their approval to the usage of their talents, nor the quality of the final product.
The use of CGI in the cinema or elsewhere, does pose interesting concerns. It is important to understand, that even the highest levels of CGI technology being used in Hollywood, are nothing in comparison to what the military has their hands on. Of further interest, is the fact that the government and military are not concerned about bringing home golden awards for their video productions. What is on the table for them, is of much greater value. Presently, the CGI technology that exists in the hands of the military is indistinguishable from reality. They do not require body doubles or pre-existing audio dialog to fulfill their agenda. There are political factions, that have the ability to map, in three dimensions, the exact physical appearance of anyone, that they have a vested interest in. Human gestures and mannerisms, as well as audible tone, are cataloged in databases for future use with their cutting-edge, computing hardware and software. If the subject is interesting enough - or useful enough - they can be projected in the media to do or say anything. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for humanity to come to grips with, is that the technology is already in use, on a regular basis. The next big political broadcast event, may very well be hosted by someone from beyond the grave. Great power can be wielded by those that can make the living appear dead, and the dead appear to be living.