Until the recent past, actors could play only a certain type of roles. Most roles that we see in films are of humans themselves. Some roles (like aliens, monsters, etc) are also seen in films. Most of these characters are played by actors under heavy costumes and make up or created on a computer.
Make up and costumes look cheap and unconvincing. Visual effects can be breathtaking, but other aspects like facial expressions and the little details cannot be captured intimately by visual effects. Neither of these methods can be deemed as being completely satisfactory.
Enter live motion capture and it's cinematic champion, Andy Serkis.
Unlike most actors, Serkis prefers doing roles that are not human. "Gollum" of "Lord of the Rings", "King Kong" and "Caesar" from "Rise of the Plante of the Apes" are some of Serkis' well known roles.
This is achieved by using the technique of live motion capture. Serkis has openly embraced this technique and is widely acknowledged and credited to be the person to bring motion capture into the spotlight.
What live motion capture does is, it sort of combines both the aforementioned techniques. While an actor enacts the whole sequence or scene, some motion capture markers are placed on the actor. These markers capture the motion and the same motion is transferred onto the computer.
The filmmaker can choose to apply this motion to a computer generated figure. If you have a figure, say King Kong. The markers capture the motion of Mr. Serkis and this motion is applied to Kong. Therefore, you can catch even the minutest detail and apply it.
The visuals are good and the expressions can be captured perfectly, resulting in a better experience for the viewer.
While Serkis has lead the path for actors, no major star has joined him on this journey yet. Maybe this will change soon, once it's potential is realised. A fat man can play a hunk, a girl can play a boy. The possibilities will be really exciting. There will be no limitations. Let's see what happens in the future.
Maybe a person will win the Academy Award for Best Actor whilst ustilising the motion capture technique.
Check this video out, it'll give you a good idea.
Make up and costumes look cheap and unconvincing. Visual effects can be breathtaking, but other aspects like facial expressions and the little details cannot be captured intimately by visual effects. Neither of these methods can be deemed as being completely satisfactory.
Enter live motion capture and it's cinematic champion, Andy Serkis.
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| Serkis as King Kong in the 2005 film of the same name |
Unlike most actors, Serkis prefers doing roles that are not human. "Gollum" of "Lord of the Rings", "King Kong" and "Caesar" from "Rise of the Plante of the Apes" are some of Serkis' well known roles.
This is achieved by using the technique of live motion capture. Serkis has openly embraced this technique and is widely acknowledged and credited to be the person to bring motion capture into the spotlight.
What live motion capture does is, it sort of combines both the aforementioned techniques. While an actor enacts the whole sequence or scene, some motion capture markers are placed on the actor. These markers capture the motion and the same motion is transferred onto the computer.
The filmmaker can choose to apply this motion to a computer generated figure. If you have a figure, say King Kong. The markers capture the motion of Mr. Serkis and this motion is applied to Kong. Therefore, you can catch even the minutest detail and apply it.
 |
| Serkis' latest avatar as Gollum in the film "The Hobbit" (2012) |
The visuals are good and the expressions can be captured perfectly, resulting in a better experience for the viewer.
While Serkis has lead the path for actors, no major star has joined him on this journey yet. Maybe this will change soon, once it's potential is realised. A fat man can play a hunk, a girl can play a boy. The possibilities will be really exciting. There will be no limitations. Let's see what happens in the future.
Maybe a person will win the Academy Award for Best Actor whilst ustilising the motion capture technique.
Check this video out, it'll give you a good idea.
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