WHAT DOES A MOTION CAPTURE ARTIST DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A Motion Capture Artist Do?)

Serkis Animators Mocap - Awards Ideas Commentary motion capture / Photo Credit: Cartoon Brew

WHAT DOES A MOTION CAPTURE ARTIST DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A Motion Capture Artist Do?)

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What Does A Motion Capture Artist Do?

Motion-capture acting, also called performance-capture acting, sometimes abbreviated as MoCap or Pcap, is a type of acting in which an actor wears markers or sensors on a skintight bodysuit or directly on the skin. Several cameras from different angles record the actor's movements simultaneously, recording the three-dimensional position of the sensors and not recording the rest of the actor. Sampling is done many times each second, aided by advances in computer technology. The resulting database of 3-D points permits a filmmaker or video game creator to create a digital character and to place this character in an entirely new setting, such as on top of a fictional volcano or flying through the air. This type of acting is seen as a growth area, with predictions that there will be more work in future for actors. Some theatrical agents represent motion-capture actors.

The motion capture artist works closely with the direction team and actors from pre-production through post in creating computer-generated characters who move, interact, and look just as lifelike on the screen as real people. Far beyond just generating a digital cast member, the motion capture artist and his or her crew strive to create a digital actor whose performance is no less convincing than the flesh-and-blood counterpart. The unsettlingly foreign-yet-familiar feel of the alien “prawns” in District 9 is owed to dozens of talented mobcap artists (among other visual effects artists including animators, compositors, cinematographers, and more).

Duties

Motion-capture acting can be difficult work. For example, one actor was "placed in a tiny booth, had dots placed all over his face that captured his movements, and had to sit perfectly still". One report suggested that actors wishing to break into this line of work should go to acting class and become experts in skills such as gunplay, sword fighting, dance, general body movement, running and jumping, gymnastics, and hand-to-hand fighting. It is a new type of acting work. Numerous sources identify actor Andy Serkis as the "king of motion-capture acting" based on his work in creating digital characters in movies such as The Lord of the Rings, King Kong and Planet of the Apes. According to one report, the first use of performance capture acting for a video game was for the 2007 game Heavenly Sword which starred Serkis and others.

In addition to recording the motion capture, the artist is responsible for setting up shots, fitting the actor with the necessary marker suit, and preparing specialized props. Post-capture, the artist creates a preliminary 3D computer character model using video capture software. With the help of software pipelines like Maya and Motion Builder, motion capture artists add texture to the scene and edit footage, cleaning up and correcting the motion captured in individual frames. Everything from skin, hair, and clothing to tentacles, horns, and extra limbs is added digitally. What is at first only a wireframe skeleton of a potential character is transformed by the motion capture artist into a living being.

Skills & Education

A degree in computer animation, graphic design, or a closely related field is a requirement for a motion capture artist. He or she must be a skilled technician and talented artist, capable of translating artistic concepts to the digital medium. Training in computer programming, video production, and fine art will help you to develop the multifaceted skills that are required to work on the industry’s biggest and most expensive-to-produce releases. Becoming experienced in the use of motion analysis software and hardware (like motion analysis and eye-tracking monitors) is crucial. Familiarizing yourself with the most current technology and staying on top of trends in emerging products will give you a leg up in your career.

What to Expect

This is not a solitary occupation. Like most areas of film and television production, motion capture is a collaborative process. You will work closely with actors, directors, technicians, and other artists. A cooperative attitude and willingness to adapt to changing needs of the production are important. You must be comfortable directing actors and technicians, but also able to take direction and perform professionally. The environment is fast-paced, with no room for mistakes. In digital animation, like all arts forms, the critics are unforgiving and the clients demand their product be flawless. If you thrive under pressure and are detail-obsessed and hyper-organized, you could break new ground in the still evolving realm of computer-generated graphics.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures,

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Serkis Animators Mocap - Awards Ideas Commentary motion capture / Photo Credit: Cartoon Brew