That's what Ed Ulbrich, Executive VP of Production at Digital Domain told me about designing the 100% digital head seen in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button—a challenge he justly refers to as the "Holy Grail" of special effects imaging.

In case you were interested in a few more specifics regarding the process, Ulbrich's TED talk from a few months back is quite revealing. Despite the ludicrously complicated methodology (conveniently abbreviated during TED), Ulbrich can't deny that human recreation will democratize like every other in the special effects industry, like morphing.

"In 1991 when I saw Terminator 2, it blew my mind. It made me want to be in this business. It was a miracle," Ulbrich said. "Now, I have a 5-year-old daughter who has a little program on the Mac that can take two photos and morph them. It becomes just another arrow in your quiver."

The movie is out today on Blu-ray and DVD. More from our talk with Ulbrich to come later.

This particular rendering was made through Google SketchUp, Google's 3D modeling software. Measurements were taken of a $10,000 stack of $100 bills (just half an inch thick!) and pretty much multiplied from there using simple geometry. In that trillion dollar shot, each pallet holds $100 million...and the pallets are double stacked.

As for that red blob on the left? It's a human. [PageTutor via BoingBoing]

From optical sensors to audio transmissions, the heaviest lifting is probably done by the color filters that, year after year, become better and better at differentiation the line from the linebacker. This brief video will do a lot to make you appreciate the resourceful crews behind the broadcasts.

Of course the well-deserving staples show up in the list (Star Wars, Tron and Jurassic Park), but there was one in particular that I didn't know about, and it may be the most convincing moment on the list.

In Total Recall, there's a brief moment when a secretary changes the colors of her nails with the tap of a wand. How did they do it? The illusion was created through rotoscoping, a layered matte animation in use since 1915.

Since you're not doing anything at work today, hit the link and enjoy the whole list. And no, there was no mention of that other effect from Total Recall in the top 50. [Den of Geek via OhGizmo!]