The USC School of Cinematic Arts has installed SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT, its facial animation software, for use in a new performance capture graduate course for 12 students, co-instructed by Robert Zemeckis (THE PLOAR EXPRESS, MONSTER HOUSE, BEOWULF).
"Performance capture has changed the way I make movies," Zemeckis said. "I want to share the techniques and strategies in this class that I have learned over the years to help filmmakers understand and master the complexity of performance capture and facial expressions to convey a full range of realistic and exaggerated emotions--while retaining the human element in their productions. SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT will expand the horizons of what the students can accomplish creatively during a very short production cycle."
Students in the Performance Capture class will write the material and direct actors in a short scene relying on motion and performance capture techniques. Using the Vicon MX motion capture system with 16 cameras, motion capture intermediate software and SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT facial animation software, Zemeckis and USC co-instructor Eric Furie will guide students through the process of creating the two-minute sequence. Building on characters generated by Darwin Dimensions' Evolver program, students will cut and edit the rendered video on Avid Media Composer software.
"When we began creating FACE ROBOT several years ago, the goal was to provide an more efficient environment for artists focused on creating realistic facial performance for characters in both film and 3D games," said Marc Stevens, vp/gm for Softimage. "Softimage continues to innovate to help artists create realistic digital character performances. We are excited that the USC School of Cinematic Arts is using FACE ROBOT software in its Performance Capture class."
Softimage Co., (www.softimage.com) a subsidiary of Avid Technology Inc. develops intuitive, production proven tools that free 3D artists to create the world's most compelling characters in the film, broadcast, post-production and games industries. Its flagship product, SOFTIMAGE|XSI is one of the most complete and intuitive character animation solution available. Easily integrated into any CG production pipeline, XSI software enables 3D artists to create the most lifelike character performances. SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT is the first commercial toolset that accelerates facial animation that empowers 3D artists to create, refine and repurpose high-quality, lifelike facial animation in less time than traditional solutions.
Avid Technology Inc. (www.avid.com) is a world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively and creatively.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
