New motion capture film studio for Quebec

Motion capture technology is still sometimes misunderstood as a form of animation but is actually a type of digital ‘make-up’ used to build character design around actors as they perform in a specially-designed studio.

Movies like Avatar and the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise – which stars motion-capture expert Andy Serkis as ape leader Caesar (pictured) – have been instrumental in furthering the technology for filmmaking. Serkis co-runs specialist motion capture studio The Imaginarium in London.

“Our team is appreciated for its unique talent to bring cartoony characters to life,” said Denis Dore, president and co-founder of Squeeze, discussing the opening of MOOV.

“With motion capture technology, MOOV makes it possible for us to reach the same level of excellence with realistic animation. We expect increased collaboration opportunities with the videogame, TV and film producers located in Quebec City. This will also allow us to offer more services to our international partners.”

The MOOV facility includes a full-performance studio, live pre-visualisation and a virtual camera.

Quebec’s post-production and visual effects sector has had a profile boost since alien contact movie Arrival filmed in the province. The film secured multiple Academy Award nominations this year in technical categories and won the Oscar for Sound Editing.

Earlier this month the Quebec government went on a three-day trade mission to Los Angeles to promote the province’s filmmaking resources to Hollywood executives. The Quebec Film and Television Council is targeting annual growth of 30% for the province's production sector.

Image: 20th Century Fox