Motion Analysis Studios recently made motion capture history when they created a 50-foot-by-50-foot volume to capture motions of NFL stars Terrell Owens and Michael Vick for the Nike Gridiron commercial spot directed by David Fincher. This latest cutting-edge spot takes viewers right into the action of a digital football arena, complete with snow and a fantasy football team of 22 growling opponents.
In order to create the realistic effects needed, Motion Analysis used an unprecedented 50 cameras to capture up to six players at a time performing high intensity football moves and tackles. The entire shoot was accomplished using the Motion Analysis Digital Eagle system, which allowed Fincher to view the data instantly during the shoot.
"Nike and Digital Domain needed the largest mocap volume ever made in order to make the commercial a reality," said Jeff Swenty, head of production for Motion Analysis Studios. "The sheer volume of a 2,500 square foot volume is almost breath-taking considering a 200-square-foot volume was at one point considered huge."
Motion Analysis also worked with partner Nexus Digital Studios to 3D scan more than 20 players and actors, including Vick and Owens. The data needed to be processed incredibly fast because of the volume and tight turn-around time associated with this high profile commercial. The data was then provided to Digital Domain who created the animations necessary to bring all of the elements to life.
"MAS delivered on all fronts. Not only were they able to give us great data from the captures, they were also able to work seamlessly with our animation team to ensure that we got what we needed when we needed it," said Michael Pardee, producer for Digital Domain. "They are a pleasure to work with and would recommend them to anyone doing a large complicated motion capture session with several characters."
Motion Analysis Studios (www.mastudios.com) is a state of the art motion capture facility dedicated to providing the 3D animation industry with the highest quality motion-capture services available. MAS, a pioneer in character animation services, provide animators and directors from feature films, music videos, television, games and commercials with the best technology and superior Motion Capture service. Founded in 1999, MAS is located in the heart of the studio section of Culver City, California.
Nexus Digital Studios (www.nexusdigitalstudios.com) is a fully equipped state of the art scanning and digitizing facility and is one of the largest companies of its type in the world. Located in Culver City, it is equipped with a full suite of Cyberware Laser scanners for complete human head and body scanning and high-resolution model scanners for entertainment, industrial design and engineering. The team has more than 15 years of hands on experience in Computer Graphics Imaging, 3D laser scanning and digitizing.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
