I hadn't realised just how much CGI was in Zodiac until I saw this demo reel for the company behind the work. What's surprising is how much backdrop work was done in CGI, replacing the need to find and set-up locations to look like seventies San Francisco.

Mind you, I would have thought, from the look of these night scenes, that it wouldn't have been too much of a problem. Have a look at the demo reel to see how much work went into the film.

I'm surprised, when you see some of these scenes fade away to reveal the blue screen it adds a new level of depth to the work of the Actors and Director. However you do wonder why they couldn't, or wouldn't, find the locations to film for real.

Is this the point where the cost of CGI overtook the cost of filming the scene for real? Well since the film came in under budget you could say it did.

Did anyone notice these shots during the film? I think they look pretty close to perfection. See for yourself with the following clip through Hollywood Elsewhere.