The tech of ‘Terminator 2’ – an oral history
Summary
An oral-history deep dive into ILM's early CGI innovations for Terminator 2, with veterans recounting the development of tools like Body Sock, Make Sticky, MORF, and the shift from practical effects to digital rendering. It covers hardware constraints (SGI workstations, RenderMan), software challenges, and the collaborative culture that enabled groundbreaking morphing and shading techniques. The piece offers historical insights and behind-the-scenes context useful for readers interested in AI, automation, and the evolution of complex, tool-driven production pipelines.