‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Crew Updates Tech on Motion-Capture, High-Def Cameras
variety.comDaron James Along with its record setting box office numbers and four Oscar nominations, “Avatar: The Way of Water” brings a “Metkayina” wave of impressive next-gen technology that will undeniably set new industry standards in motion capture, animation and underwater photography.
The original facial motion capture rig that also impressively immersed Andy Serkis as Gollum and Caesar, received an overhaul.
Not only physically but also in the way the software replicates a performance. “We looked at how the muscles in the face, eyes and lips are all related and created a neural network that maps all the connections between them,” says senior VFX supervisor Joe Letteri. “This gave us this sympathetic motion in the actor’s face which allowed us to translate the performance to the character and make each frame more believable.” Additionally, the single-standard definition camera that recorded facial expressions was replaced by two high-definition versions that provided more data and detail.
In recording the underwater activity, actors — and crew — trained in free diving methods to hold their breath for extended periods as air bubbles interfered with the performance capture.
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