Motion capture boot camp addressing NZ talent shortage in film

A partnership between AUT University and Deakin University in Australia is set to redress the shortage of local talent trained in motion capture technology.

King Kong and Gollum owe their screen lives to motion capture technology perfected in New Zealand but creators Weta Digital say they typically have to employ motion capture specialists from overseas because of a lack of local training.

A team of ten postgraduate students and research staff from AUT are attending a motion capture 'Boot Camp' being held at Deakin University this month. The boot camp will provide a practical grounding in the motion capture technology including post-processing, and hands-on time with the Deakin Motion.Lab's facilities.

"Part of the boot camp will also look at an overview of the broader context of motion capture, and its use in the animation and game development industries and in interactive performance."

The students and research staff come from three distinct areas of study – communication studies, art and design, and dance – which digital design lecturer Andrew Denton says illustrates the broad scope of motion capture technology.

"There is huge versatility in the applications of motion capture, from an ergonomic analysis of the way someone sits that feeds the design of a chair to dance choreography and of course, incredibly vivid, realistic replication of movement and emotion in animated characters."

"Another exciting area is in sport, where analysis of gait and movement could provide valuable information for the improved performance of elite athletes or better understanding of sports injuries."

"There are also areas of crossover which provide opportunities for cross collaborative research projects."

Denton says AUT is also looking to the Deakin Motion.Lab as a model for establishing local motion capture facilities. In addition to offering undergraduate, postgraduate and short course opportunities for study in motion capture, Deakin University opens its motion capture lab to commercial projects and R&D for the creative industries.

For more information, please contact:

Andrew Denton
AUT University
adenton@aut.ac.nz
021 655 505

Dr Kim Vincs
Deakin University - Deakin Motion.Lab
kvincs@deakin.edu.au