These Green Screen Photos Show Us How the Magic Behind the Screen Is Created

300 was a 2006 film that depicted the ultra-violent and deadly Battle of Thermopylae, a real battle that took place in 480 BC between Persia and Greece. The filmmakers aimed for as much accuracy as possible, which was difficult considering these events took place over 2000 years ago, and the areas no longer look the same.

Enter CGI! This movie is notable because it is almost entirely computer generated, except for the actors. In fact, 300 made history by being 90% CGI; we can’t begin to imagine how much work that entailed! The studio was hesitant to commit to such a risky move, so the director sent them a minimally animated version of the comic book on which the story was based.