Vicon Ent.'s Los Angeles-based House of Moves has launched a new state-of-the art motion-capture studio at the University of Central Florida on the grounds of the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, UCF's graduate video-game development school. The 3,500-square-foot studio, one of the largest on the East Coast, is described by House of Moves executives as a "world-class facility" for industry professionals and academia.
UCF and city leaders say the 46-camera studio is a major pillar for the area's multimedia future. In addition to providing hands-on educational opportunities for students, it serves as a catalyst for a downtown "Creative Village," where high-paying jobs mix with professional, residential and retail development.
The recently completed renovations at FIEA include the motion-capture studio, film sound stages, editing suites, audio suites and a new teaching auditorium, for a total cost of about $2.9 million. The city and UCF each provided $1 million, and Vicom donated $900,000 worth of equipment.
Several FIEA faculty members are already trained to use the motion-capture equipment, and students are working on game pitches and projects in the new facility. House of Moves executives say they'll train students and other faculty to work in the facility and bring in their own employees for major productions.
House of Moves' motion-capture work has appeared in TITANIC, SPIDER-MAN 2, THE POLAR EXPRESS and, most recently, in Paramount Pictures' BEOWULF. The company also contracts with video-game makers Nintendo, Sega, Ubisoft and Electronic Arts.
