Faceware Technologies, the leading innovator and most experienced provider of markerless 3D facial motion capture solutions, today announced that it has partnered with pioneering localization service provider, Binari Sonori, to launch a new video-based localization service. The service uses Faceware’s professional headcam systems to capture video of a voice actor’s performance at the same time that the audio is being captured, providing both actors and animators with time-saving video reference for localization. The service launches today.
Animating the facial movements, and in particular, the lip movements, of digital characters speaking multiple languages can be a very laborious task. If the English audio track is not synced correctly between languages, it requires many time-consuming and costly adjustments. By introducing video-based motion capture into the initial stages of the process, Binari Sonori is now able to provide perfect facial performance and audio reference to international actors. This, in turn, guarantees that facial animation and localized performances sync perfectly in any language.
How the service works:
1) English-speaking actors use Faceware’s headcam to record their facial performances while their voices are recorded in Binari Sonori’s U.S. studio.
2) The facial performance video is then used as reference for actors recording localized audio in different countries.
3) The developer then completes animation using Faceware’s video-based facial motion software. The facial movement that is created by the software is based on the video performance, ensuring that both the game developer and audio-localization facility are syncing to the same facial movements.
4) The localized audio tracks are then applied to the animation.
An in-depth video about the service can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdgkRefsDkY
“I’m really excited about this new service,” said Andrea Ballista, account manager and co-founder of Binari Sonori. “It gives us a simple yet elegant solution that allows actors around the world to mirror their performances, saves artists time in the animation process, and helps game studios drive up the quality of localization without adding any time to the process.”
“We’ve been talking to Binari Sonori for many months, and have tested the service internally,” said Pete Busch, vice president of business development for Faceware Technologies. “It’s now ready to roll out globally, and we can’t wait to see the results on actual productions.”
For more information on the new service, go to www.facewaretech.com or binarisonori.com.
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About Binari Sonori
Binari Sonori was founded in 1994, at the dawn of the new media age, to offer translation and audio services to developers and publishers looking to distribute digital content on an international level. The company swiftly became an important player on the global localization market, developing a wide array of audio services (casting, dubbing, pre and post-production) and distinguishing itself through its ability to effectively blend organizational, technological, and creative services. Customers include Bandai Namco, Capcom, Fisher Price, Microsoft Game Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Square Enix, Ubisoft and others. For more information, visit www.binarisonori.com.
About Faceware Technologies
Sherman Oaks, California-based Faceware Technologies Inc. (FTI), which spun off from Image Metrics in 2012, is dedicated to meeting the needs of professional artists in the video game, film, television, and commercial industries. The company’s Faceware product line has been utilized in the production of more than 85 AAA video game titles, feature films, music videos, commercials, television shows, and stage plays, and is the most innovative and experienced facial animation solution provider for clients such as Double Negative, Digital Domain, ILM, Blur Studios, Activision-Blizzard, Rockstar Games, Microsoft, 2K Sports, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sega, Sony, Bethesda, and Moving Picture Company. The Faceware Facial Motion Capture product line consists of the Faceware Headcam kits and systems; Faceware Analyzer, which allows clients to analyze and process performance videos automatically with little to no user input; and Faceware Retargeter, a Autodesk plug-in which allows users to create facial motion capture data at a much faster rate than traditional methods.
© 2014. Faceware Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. “Faceware” is a registered trademark of Faceware Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s).
