The World's Number One Performance Capture School
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to your most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that's not listed here and you would like one or all of our gurus to answer it then just send us a message via the contact page and we'll get it on here as soon as possible.
Can anyone do motion capture?
Just as an actor or director can work in film, television, theatre and radio, motion capture is just another medium for storytelling. If you can act, there'sa good chance you can do mocap. There's a lot to learn, just like in the other mediums, but there's no great barrier between you and the digital domain.
Having certain physical skills will definitely come in handy, for instance, weaponry, stage combat and good coordination are very common essentials. Having these skills will open up more opportunities for you.
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Where do I start?
If you're totally new and have never done motion capture before then it's important to get together a showreel that will demonstrate to directors and, often more importantly, animators how you move. Shots of you walking, running, sitting down and standing up, plus any special skills you have will do well to advertise your abilities and signature movement style. Having a seperate acting real is beneficial but you could add one or two short scenes to your mocap reel if you wish.
Once you have the showreel you can start lookig up the various studios and sending them your resume and reel. They are often the best people to get you work because the clients will often rely heavily on the studios to give them talent lists.
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How did you get into motion capture?
"In 2002 a friend of mine that had been working in motion capture told me that one of his employers were auditioning for a combat role in the video game title Alias. I attended the audition and demonstrated my fight skills to them. I had practiced my break falls and reactions endlessly the week before so that I would be ready for the day. I got a call several days later and was told I had the job. The shoot was a three day intensive in Cheltenham and it was great fun. I was working with Ashley Beck, a good friend who is now an exceptional stunt man.
I didn't work in the field again for another six months, then another gap, and another, until eventually the gaps between jobs got shorter and shorter. In 2004 I got the part of Captain Scarlet in the TV show of the same name. After that, work became more and more frequent. I've now worked on over 80 titles in ten studios in five different countries."
- Oliver Hollis-Leick