By Aquil Akhter

In the film and motion picture industry, nearly every major release utilizes some form of special effects. Some movies make minimal use of such effects, while others present plots and storylines that depend almost entirely on computer generated images. Examples of movies that have captivated audiences with special effects include the well-known science-fiction film The Matrix and the fantasy-based Lord of the Rings.

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of 17 unbelievable and implausible visual effects “show reels” from a variety of artists and professionals, demonstrating the virtually unlimited possibilities presented by complex computer effects and animations.

Visual Effects Show Reels

The Best of the Best 2009 Autodesk Show Reel
A compilation reel of visual effects and animation work created by artists from around the world using Autodesk Media and Entertainment software.

Visual Effects Reel 2009
This reel showcases the effects work that Chris Wombold has done in RealFlow and Maya, as well as the TD work he has done. Projects worked on include Tezcatlipoca, Rock in the Road, and the Lost Sheep.

Visual Effects for Transformers; 2012; LOTR….
The official show reel of Digital Domain, a special effects company that makes computer generated images (CGI) for commercials, movies and games.

CINEMA 4D Demo Reel Siggraph 2008
On this inspiring new demo reel you’ll see some amazing animation made using CINEMA 4D. It includes award-winning visual effects and titles for well known shows such as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

‘2012′ Trailer HD
A trailer for 2012, Roland Emmerich’s fictional disaster adventure movie with breathtaking and eye-popping special effects that made this film an amazing experience on a large screen. The stunning visual effects include mass destruction scenes, tornadoes, tidal waves, earthquake scenes, volcano scenes, a spectacular shipwreck, and the destruction of the White House — absolutely breathtaking!

VFX Demo Reel – Vancouver Film School
A demo reel created by Vancouver Film School student Gianfranco Valle through the VFS 3D Animation and Visual Effects program.

Tree of Life
A visual effects piece involving advanced green screen tracking and compositing, with integration into a 3D landscape created with VUE Infinite. The soundtrack is from the film, “The Fountain”, and really adds an extra layer of depth to the project.

Digital Domain Company Demo Reel
A mind-blowing company demo reel from Digital Domain

Visual Effects Compilation
Beautiful and disturbing visual effects compilation by Simon Hannon (iggy35). Once you start, you cant stop watching this.

RvD2: Ryan vs. Dorkman 2
For Star Wars fans — the hotly-anticipated sequel to the original YouTube phenomenon.

A Visual Effects Reel – Vancouver Film School
An effects reel created by Vancouver Film School student Drew Marwick through the VFS 3D Animation & Visual Effects program.

Nick Campbell (GreyScaleGorilla) Showreel 2008 + Selected Works
This is not just a normal showreel feature, this reel sums up the (old) works of motion designer Nick Campbell (a.k.a GreyScaleGorilla).

John Adams Visual FX
This show reel features beautiful Visual Effects from the HBO miniseries John Adams.

The FX Movie
A tribute/parody to visual effects, including references to Star Wars and Quantum Leap.

Eric Acsell VFX Reel
A wonderful visual effects showreel from Eric Acsell.

The Incredible Hulk Visual Effects Featurette
Mind-blowing visual effects from the Incredible Hulk movie

Peter Banoub 3d and VFX showreel
A beautiful compilation of visual effects.

Conclusion

We hope you were inspired by the creativity and talent demonstrated in this showcase of visual effects. If you know of an interesting effects showreel or similar compilation, please share it in the comments below.

Further Resources

• 41 Diabolically Awesome Demo Reels
• 16 Killer Motion Graphics Demo Reels
• Spectacular VFX and Design Studio Roundup
• The Ultimate Motion Graphics Tutorials Round-Up

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