Anatomy, Animation, and Visual Effects: The Reciprocal Tools of Biology and Film-Making

Locomotion studies, biomechanics, and particularly vertebrate paleontology have had a deep influence on the development of motion pictures, animation, and computer generated visual effects. Biologically straightforward concepts such as morphological correlates of diet, sexual dimorphism, and ontogenetic change are powerful tools for animators and visual effects artists. Despite this deep debt to the ever-increasing role of science and technology in film making, scientists often forget to mine the communication strategies of their science-savvy entertainment industry kin. Further, many of the tools of the film industry are making a direct impact on basic research or have the potential to do so. It is becoming increasingly clear as part of the overall outreach for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ("STEM"), scientists must inform and engage with the public. Significantly, many of the concepts and stories we offer as useful to film makers are compelling stories to offer to our own students. And these can be as compelling to the public as the entertainment they often facilitate. Whereas STEM is critically important, adding "A"-art-as in the artistic strategies from the fields of animation and visual effects to produce "STEAM" helps to build a potentially unstoppable tool for science communication and the public good.