Audiences today have seen it all — or at least they think they have. In a world where attention is a precious commodity, brands need more than standard visuals to stand out. One of the most powerful ways to create that wow factor is by blending real footage with CGI and VFX. This combination allows you to ground your content in reality while unlocking limitless creative possibilities.

Why Combine CGI with Real Footage

When you mix real world footage with computer generated imagery, you get the best of both worlds. Real footage gives a sense of authenticity and familiarity, while CGI can take your visuals to places that would be impossible or impractical to capture in reality.

This approach can:

• Make complex ideas easier to understand by visualising them in context.

• Showcase products or environments that do not yet exist.

• Save on costs compared to building physical sets or prototypes.

• Create a distinctive visual style that sets your brand apart.

Where Brands Use Mixed Media Successfully

Product visualisation

Show your product in action before it has even been manufactured. This works especially well for tech products, homewares, or anything that benefits from a close up, interactive view.

Architecture and property development

Bring future buildings to life by compositing 3D models into footage of real locations. This helps buyers and investors see the vision clearly.

Marketing campaigns

From social media videos to television ads, mixing CGI with live action can create unforgettable moments that drive engagement.

The Process Behind the Magic

The success of a mixed media project comes down to planning and precision. It starts with shooting your live footage in a way that supports seamless integration with CGI. This means paying close attention to:

• Lighting so the CGI elements match the scene naturally.

• Camera movement so digital tracking is smooth and accurate.

• Angles and perspective to keep scale and realism intact.

Once the footage is captured, the CGI elements are modelled, textured, and animated to match the real world environment. Compositing software is then used to merge the two, balancing colour, light, and shadow until the line between reality and digital creation disappears.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Matching CGI to real footage requires a keen eye for detail. Even the smallest mismatch in lighting or perspective can break the illusion. Investing in professional tracking, accurate HDRI lighting, and careful post production ensures the final piece feels believable.

Performance is another factor — especially if your content will live on the web. Large CGI files can slow down load times, so optimising assets for different platforms is essential.

Final Thoughts

Mixed media CGI and VFX give you creative freedom without sacrificing the connection that real world footage provides. By combining authenticity with imagination, you can create content that surprises, delights, and stays in the viewer’s mind long after they have seen it.

If you are ready to take your brand visuals to the next level, we can help you design and produce content that blends the real and the impossible into one seamless story.