The technology of motion capture has a long history, nearly a hundred years. It has been invested in various industries for half a century.

However, it's all relatively simple.

For example, robot remote control, interactive games, sports training, sports tracking and other fields.

Motion Capture enters the movie...it's only 20 years old.

Of course, the past motion capture mainly refers to some animation production, mainly to simulate some of the most basic and simplest character activities.

For example, the image of "Gulu Gulu" in the "Lord of the Rings" series.

This is a character who is completely made through computer cg.

Because this technology has made breakthrough progress in Vita Digital, when watching the movie, the character "Gulu Gulu" has no sense of incongruity, as if he should belong to Middle-earth.

It's much more realistic than the "Master Yoda" in the "Star Wars Prequel" series and many animated characters.

But, there is a problem!

"Gulugulu" in "The Lord of the Rings" is simple and clumsy when the characters move...the movements are relatively simple.

The characters are not inconsistent, but the characters' actions are very inconsistent.

This is the disadvantage of "Vita Digital" in motion capture technology!

Even if the motion capture master Andy Serkins was invited to "Gulugulu" motion capture, it failed to achieve the ideal effect.

Cameron said: "Industrial Light Magic is the pioneer of motion capture technology. Last year, I even took two weeks to go to the crew of "Polar Express".

"Polar Express? That cartoon by Robert Zemegis?"

"That's right. Although this is just an animation, it is very different from past cartoons. Traditional cartoons do not require actor performances. They are either hand drawn or computerized, and the actors will dubb in the later stages. However, "Polar Express" is different. The animation characters here, every frown and smile, are performed by actors. Revolutionary motion capture technology and performance retention technology, digitize the live-action images. This will be a technological revolution in the movie!"

It is not difficult to hear that Cameron admires the new technology used in "Polar Express" very much, and then said: "During the performance, Hanks did not wear costumes, but had to wear a black tights full of sensors, and at the same time, he stuck 150 sensors on his face. Every expression and movement of his eyelids, lips, eyebrows, etc. can be accurately captured by the computer through the sensor."

“150 sensors…”

Can Don imagine Tom Hanks' face covered with sensors, 150...and not all of them are sensors?

Cameron became more and more excited and said excitedly: "Tang, I went to watch the internal preview of "Polar Express", which is really unparalleled! Science and technology can really digitize the actors' DNA on the big screen! As long as this film is released, I dare to conclude that it is epoch-making. The holographic motion capture technology it uses will become a milestone equivalent to the first audio movie "Jazz Singer"!"

Although motion capture technology has been used in past movies, it is only a very small part and it is very simple to operate.

"Polar Express" is different. All performances in the film are completed through motion capture.

This is a necessary element for filming "Avatar".

Corresponding to this... is the high price!

"Polar Express" spent $165 million, and all the performances and shooting were completed in front of the studio's green screen, and the actors' performance space was only 10 square feet in total.

If Robert Zemegis pursues "film texture" like many old-school directors, well... the production cost of the film is unstoppable!

"I heard... "Polar Express" uses the latest motion capture technology developed by Industrial Light and Magic? Even "Star Wars Prequel 3" was not used on the risk?" Tang En thought slowly.

Cameron said disdainfully: "Who said it wasn't? George Lucas...hehe, he was thinking of making "Polar Express" a test field to verify the practicality of the new technology. Anyway, it's Warner's money, so he doesn't feel sorry for him. This is different from filming "Star Wars Prequel 3".

“It turns out that the new motion capture technology is very successful?”

"Perfect!"

"So...you need me to help you with George?" Tang En looked at him with a smile.

Cameron had a slightly embarrassed face and said for granted: "Aren't you an investor and producer of "Avatar"? Isn't this your job?"

Donne nodded and said nothing. It would be no difficulty for him to deal with George Lucas.

In fact, in the 1980s, Cameron and Lucas had a good relationship.

In the 1990s, after the filming of "Terminator 2"... Cameron received great calls and market recognition, and seemed to surpass Lucas and become a science fiction master.

The great success of "Terminator 2" gave Cameron great confidence and ambition, and he really wanted to completely surpass George Lucas!

At first, he wanted to film "Spider-Man", but later he felt that filming other people's stories was too expensive, so he gave up.

Instead, he wrote his own script - "Avatar"!

What is the logic behind "Avatar"?

It is Cameron who wants to create a science fiction world kingdom that surpasses Star Wars!

Unfortunately, the technical level at that time was far from meeting his requirements.

Cameron settled for the second best and went to film "Titanic".

Because of the fluid effects of the wreck, Cameron found Industrial Light and Magic and asked for help.

As a result, this world's number one special effects company said it couldn't be done!

How ridiculous?

Cameron was furious and dug up Court Ross, the special effects manager of Industrial Light and Magic, and brought Stan Weston to establish the "Digital Field" special effects studio.

From then on, Hollywood began the binary era of "Industrial Light and Magic" and "digital fields" in the special effects market.

The competition between the industry leader and the industry leader is fierce.

Many reasons make the relationship between Cameron and Lucas very cold.

Cameron wanted to create "Avatar" with the latest research results of Industrial Light and Magic. It was impossible to do it with his personal face alone.

Of course, there is no reason for Tang En to fail.

New Global will be easier if the 20th Century Fox can handle in the previous life.

Cameron also said: "In addition to Vita Digital and Industrial Light and Magic, we also need to solve the Huacao 3D Image Motion Research Institute. The capture virtual synthetic imaging technology they are developing has a promoting effect on our real-time preview and motion capture. This is clearly written in the report."

"No problem! You said "Polar Express" is an epoch-making technological revolution. Now it seems... "Avatar" is the one, and only those who are great at showing their true qualities!"

Tang En was inspired and praised.

This great director did all the preliminary technical preparations so thoroughly that he received all the praises.

Cameron smiled and said, "Vita Digital, Industrial Light Magic, Flower Crow, and Digital Fields are not enough. We also need the latest scientific achievements of the MIT Optical Laboratory."

“MIT?”

"Yes, they improved the reflective optical motion capture system and developed a headset-style expression capture system. This plays a crucial role in the actor's meticulous expression capture."

"Are you trying to distinguish between expression capture and motion capture and develop two technical systems?"

"This is also impossible. Compared with human movements, the subtle changes in facial expressions are too complicated. Even the most advanced motion capture system is difficult to do the best."

Speaking of this, Cameron shook his head, "It's still "Polar Express". In order to pursue the ultimate performance capture, Robert stuck 150 sensors on Hanks' face, so dense that he didn't even miss his eyes. But the final visual presentation... I'm not very satisfied. The changes in facial expressions are too complicated. It's far from enough to capture 150 details."

It's only 2004 now.

Most of the technologies that have become a big deal in later generations are still under research and development, trial and improvement.

"Avatar" is a guinea pig that gathers and tries all kinds of high-tech.

It is far from a simple 3D straight shot that can be summarized.

For movie fans, the 3D effect of "Avatar" is intuitive. For filmmakers, behind "Avatar" there are more sophisticated and more advanced technology than 3D direct shooting.

Of course, this is limited to Hollywood, which pursues exquisite and perfect visual effects.

To other countries' film industry... To be honest, even Hollywood's special effects craftsmanship 10 years ago can continue to lead the world for 20 years in a general sense.

This is the conclusion of the famous French "Movie Manual". Special effects technology outside Hollywood and Hollywood has at least 30 years of generation difference.

Tang En is half a technically ignorant and doesn't understand much, so he asked: "Can the headband-style expression capture system you mentioned solve the problem?"

Cameron stretched out a palm excitedly.

"What's the meaning?"

“At least five times!”

“Five times?”

Tang En's eyes widened.

Cameron said excitedly: "In order to capture the rich expression changes, Robert Zemegis covered Hanks' face with sensors. However, if he relied on this headset-style expression capture system from MIT Optical Laboratory, as long as the actors were put on a headset, he could use reflected signals from different angles in the optical effect to capture subtle changes in the actors' faces, at least... can capture 800!"

"good!"

Tang En was also quite excited.

He suddenly realized the pleasure of Cameron's pursuit of the ultimate pursuit of technology.

This is a feeling of creating a new era!

"But..." Cameron paused for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed, and a little guilty, "It's a university, a science laboratory. Although I understand some of the situation, I still have some troubles in using their research results in film production. That's not Hollywood after all, and our set is not there...it won't work."

Tang En immediately understood what he meant, which was a little funny.

Isn’t the technology developed in university laboratories just for application in practice?

The problem Cameron talked about is nothing more than money!

Of course, it's definitely not a small amount of money.

If it was just a few hundred thousand dollars, Cameron would pay it out of his own pocket.

Please remember the first domain name of this book: Nine Heavens Divine Emperor:
Chapter completed!