The University of Salford will play host to a project which aims to showcase how content creators can use virtual production and motion capture at a lower cost.
Production company Grey Moth will be working at the University’s MediaCity campus in April to trial their new approach of a more affordable way for filmmakers to use virtual production techniques.
The company has developed a bespoke workflow which uses tools such as Move.AI, MetaHuman and traditional 3D animation techniques for motion capture filmmaking without the need for mocap suits.
A ring of synchronised iPhones will capture the actors’ movement, who will also be wearing Go-Pro cameras, with the footage from the phones then collated into a single stream that can be developed within Unreal Engine. The point of the workflow is to open up previously cost-prohibitive technology to filmmakers working at all budget levels.
The result of the project will be a short film, funded by the British Film Institute (BFI) Network, called Into the Betaverse, which will include a mix of mocap and live action as the characters move between scenes in the ‘betaverse’ and the real world.
The results of the trial will be showcased at a special event on Friday 5th April.
Chuckie McEwan, head of production at Grey Moth and producer for Into the Betaverse, said: “The filmmaking landscape is so challenging for newcomers and indies. We are excited to share our budget-friendly approach to motion capture.”
More details about the workshop are available here.
