Gregory Bennett
Gregory Bennett is a senior lecturer in Digital Design at AUT University where he teaches 3-D animation and visual effects at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. His major research focus is 3-D animation and animation theory and practice, including developments in motion capture and 3-D stereoscopic production. Gregory is also currently a PhD candidate at AUT University, his thesis exploring issues of embodiment and mimesis in the simulation of perceptual reality in 3D computer animation which utilises photorealistic representation, motion capture and stereoscopic projection.
His current and ongoing activities in this field include developing and delivering curriculum involving the use of motion capture for 3-D character animation and the visual effects pipeline. He has also supervised a number of postgraduate student projects involving motion capture for 3-D animation and is currently undertaking ongoing research into issues around performance capture for 3D animation, and motion capture-driven dynamic hair, cloth and muscle systems. Part of this includes the ongoing development of a range of pipelines for the post-processing motion capture data for use in animation and real-time 3-D. Research outputs from these activities include conference papers and journal articles, which have so far included Developing practical models for teaching Motion Capture (presented at Siggraph Asia 2009 and published in the ACM Digital Library), and On the edge of the uncanny cliff: motion capture and animation in recent 3-D computer-generated photorealistic films (accepted for presentation at "Animation Evolution", 22nd Annual Society for Animation Studies Conference in Edinburgh, 2010).
Gregory has a background in both fine arts practice, and moving image production and post-production. He is a graduate of the Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland University where he majored in Intermedia with a particular focus on digital moving image production and 3-D animation, and has been an exhibiting artist since 1990. Gregory has taught video production and post-production at the University of Auckland Film, TV and Media Studies Department, as well as working as an editor and sound designer. As a practicing digital artist he is represented by Two Rooms Gallery in Auckland http://tworooms.co.nz/artists/gregory-bennett/