Avatar & Avatar 2 Behind the Scenes - How James Cameron Evolved Motion Capture in the Avatar Films
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
- Avatar and Avatar 2 Behind the Scenes - a look back at how James Cameron revolutionized motion capture technology on Avatar and how shooting Avatar 2 underwater forced him to break new ground all over again.
The Making of Avatar 1 & 2 ►► bit.ly/hs-at
StudioBinder Blog ►► bit.ly/sb-bl
─────────────────────
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro - Avatar Behind the Scenes
01:45 - Chapter 1: Innovating Motion Capture
04:52 - Chapter 2: Pushing 3D Further
05:37 - Chapter 3: The Simulcam System
07:06 - Chapter 4: Again, But Underwater
12:57 - Takeaways
─────────────────────
Special thanks to:
All Games Network ►► bit.ly/ht-agn
─────────────────────
THE MAKING OF AVATAR & AVATAR 2
Writer/director James Cameron has been dreaming of Avatar for decades. After years of brainstorming, the initial treatment was completed before he made Titanic. But motion capture technology was nowhere near able to manifest his vision. In this video, we’ll explain the making of Avatar, the evolution of motion capture technology, and how the making of Avatar 2 brought a whole new set of challenges.
AVATAR BEHIND THE SCENES
James Cameron’s goal for Avatar was to create a CG character with a full range of human emotions. Up to this point, animators would “copy” performances shot with motion capture, but for Cameron, this never quite hit the mark. His solution was to attach a small camera to the actor’s helmets to record their facial expressions at all times. Now the animators could tweak or augment these performances instead of having to create them themselves.
Another innovation made during the making of Avatar was the ability to use a “virtual camera” that could render the actor’s CG characters and the environment of Pandora in real-time. Now the blocking and compositions could be more refined and specific at the capture stage rather than have to compromise later in post-production.
Cameron was also able to use his 3D Fusion Camera System to shoot live-action footage. Unlike previous 3D cameras with fixed lenses, the Fusion camera could manipulate each camera to mimic human vision for a more natural and realistic 3D experience.
Finally, the SimulCam system also used the Fusion camera but could be “tracked” in the motion capture stage so that live-action footage could be shot alongside previously recorded CG elements. Thus reducing the number of compromises when compositing in post-production.
AVATAR 2 BEHIND THE SCENES
When filming Avatar 2, the biggest challenge was moving all of these systems underwater. The motion capture system required two additions - the first was a layer of white, plastic balls on the water’s surface to eliminate issues of reflections interfering with the infrared system. The second was that the actors couldn’t use scuba gear because the bubbles would also throw off the marker system. So, they just learned how to hold their breath while acting. Kate Winslet was able to do a breath hold for over seven minutes!
The making of Avatar and Avatar 2 will go down in history as defining moments when art and technology came together to produce something truly out of this world. And, of course, the man behind all this innovation (just like he is for every one of his movies) is the inimitable James Cameron.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
─────────────────────
♬ SONGS USED:
"Becoming One of 'The People' / Becoming One With Neytiri" - James Horner
"The Bioluminescence of the Night" - James Horner
"Scorched Earth" - James Horner
"You Don't Dream in Cryo. ...." - James Horner
"Still Need Syndrome" - Yarin Primak
"The Destruction of Hometree" - James Horner
"Quaritch" - James Horner
"War" - James Horner
"Assembly Line Dreams" - Ostin Drais
"Binary Love" - Stanley Gurvich
"Jake Enters His Avatar World" - James Horner
"Morning Sunbeams" - Yehezkel Raz
"Jake's First Flight" - James Horner
"Glass" - Claudio Laucci
"Avatar: The Way of Water Official Trailer Music"
"Climbing Up Iknimaya - The Path to Heaven" - James Horner
"Pure Spirits of the Forest" - James Horner
Music by Artlist ► utm.io/umJx
Music by Artgrid ► utm.io/umJy
Music by Soundstripe ► bit.ly/2IXwomF
Music by MusicBed ► bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq
─────────────────────
SUBSCRIBE to StudioBinder’s UA-cam channel! ►► bit.ly/2hksYO0
Looking for a production management solution for your film? Try StudioBinder for FREE today: studiobinder.com/pricing
- Join us on Social Media! -
Instagram ►► / studiobinder
Facebook ►► / studiobinderapp
Twitter ►► / studiobinder - Фільми й анімація
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro - Avatar Behind the Scenes
01:45 - Chapter 1: Innovating Motion Capture
04:52 - Chapter 2: Pushing 3D Further
05:37 - Chapter 3: The Simulcam System
07:06 - Chapter 4: Again, But Underwater
12:57 - Takeaways
Quantum leap doesn't mean what you think it means. And James doesn't create technology, he hires very clever people to do it. Trouble is his screenplays don't match his visions any more. Out of curiosity, I checked and it looks like "expression capture" or "performance capture" or what he likes to call it was around before Avatar. It's a process that goes back to the 1960s although was was really just learning to "see a face" but let's keep it real or we'll end up worshipping the guy as some do with Elon Musk.
I am going to use your video ok
I LOVE these!!!!!
James Cameron is a genius with creating the world of Avatar. Seriously, the cinematography of the original film is gorgeous. There’s no telling what’s in store in part 2 and I love it.
Can't wait!
If you think old things are good, Cameron is good for your. Otherwise is a huge pathetic propaganda on something unimportant.
@@blender_wiki What does this even mean
Cinema goers nowadays are like babys in front of wind chimes: "Bwoah, awesome special fx.., wait what was that?! Bwoah, awesome special fx..."
@@blender_wiki grow up and get a life
James Cameron is a scientist of film making. He is a deadly combination of innovation, imagination, spectacular writing, and great direction. This is why he is a pioneer, and his works are legendary.
Dances with smurfs on a 200 million budget, you can love the movie but it is neither complex nor innovative. it. just. isn't.
He's the engineer of modern cinama
@@u1rtc7t5f64t157856v8 You can complain about the plot but the technique and filmmaking were definitely innovative.
@@u1rtc7t5f64t157856v8 ~ Ah look, a knee-jerk contrarian, how original.
The irony.
@@u1rtc7t5f64t157856v8 come on man!! You should give a little credit to him. If you look at his filmography, you would be surprised to know that he didn't take up any project that was not ground breaking in cinematic experience. So the 200 millions that you are taking about would obviously be needed when someone endeavors to enrich the cinematic experience of audiences in a new dimension . If you look at the average budget involved in MCU , it is more than 200 millions per movie, however they do nothing new, only a little modification on the existing technology. Even the Russo Brothers who directed The Avengers admitted themselves that if it wasn't for the James Cameron motion- capture technology in Avatar, they wouldn't have been able to do it.
I will never forget the moment I saw Avatar for the first time in 2009 in 3D, we all felt that this movie was from the future, people were really gasping with awe on some of the shots which were just beautiful. It was an amazing experience and James Cameron showed us something we never imagined!
Can't wait to see what he does this weekend!
Yes, it was an incredible experience. Unforgettable!
This! I was 13 at the time. Today I watched Avatar 2, and I loved it. A 13 year old girl was sat next to me and the first thing she said after the movie was ''did this have to take so many years to make? I mean, it was an alright film, but.. why so long''. Man, I still remember the feeling of awe after the first one. I watched it 6 times on the big screen, I loved it so much. I just can't imagine not being in awe about it all haha
This is an unbelievable feat. I couldn't imagine all the long hours, thought processes, stress that went into filming underwater.
Props to everyone involved sincerely. I'm so ready for this movie!
a juggernaut of a challenge!
Just saw avatar 2. So amazing everyone needs to see this in the theaters with 3D. Movies like this with the effort and money put into it for us, needs to be appreciated and reciprocated. Didn't even seem like 3 hrs. You were so immersed. By comparison I last seen black panther 2 that was 2 and a half hours and felt bored and thinking of other things at times. But this felt like I didn't want it to be over. Can't wait for pt 3 just mad it will be 2 more years
I just saw it yesterday IMAX 3D! Totally agreed the movie didn’t feel long at all. My eyes were literally glued to the screen I don’t think I blinked that often either. It was beautifully done
Cameron is a genius and "The Way of Water" is only the first of four sequels, wow we are so lucky.
it'll interesting to see how he keeps developing the franchise!
4 sequels so 3 more with an rate of making one every 13 years Cameron needs to become really old.
James Cameron and his films have entertained me since I been a young girl. He's a real film magician.
I agree!
Yea but still it's bad writing and I heard that the new one sucks from when critical drinker did a review with a guy who was able to see it well it's horrible dialogue and well that's just really bad even since it's been...13 years? Since the first avatar now don't get me wrong the visuals are great but the plot and dialogue were horrible because we all know that James isn't good at that but having 4 screenwriters to make this movie it's like wait how? Wtf how is that supposed to happen when it's been given like 13 years to have time to make this it was very disappointing and well it's half bad and half good now I'm sure it's a movie good for normies or the average movie watcher but for ones who care about entertainment and for what's happening well it's not for them but overall I could say it's half bad and half good but worst than the first! I expected the film to be much better than many thought like me but I was disappointed at that resolution now some may find what I'm saying dumb but please watch critical drinker's second channel to see the breakdown and the first impressions I'm not gonna spoil anything but hey if you want to see some spoils in that lice first impressions you can but also it doesn't give out many spoils but theirs a few but doesn't give away the whole movie
@@andrewreynolds912 "when critical drinker did a review..." and that's where I stopped reading your comment.
@@zez_gval 🤣🤣👌
and he'll do it again this week!
The people who hate Avatar should watch videos like this to understand what they've been failing to appreciate
most haters hate CGI. another think they complaining is the plot is very basic and copy pasting from other movie.
@@boboboy8189 which is wrong . Sometimes a simple story , executed perfectly is better than a complex well-written story. Writing is only one part of cinema.
always a lot to learn from Cameron
it is just a ripe off of dances with wolves just in space and cgi crapped all over o the story sucks the plot human bad men are evil pass keep your progressive crap i won't be wasting a dime to be talked down to by some hack actor and some old crack head director who glory day are long passed him by
@@bc64100 It is indeed a ripoff and people do have issues with the plot. But that isn't that main attraction of the film; the main attractions are the outstanding visual effects and world creation (not crapped all over like you said). It's not a bad plot, it just overused, and merely served as a vessel to showcase the director's extraordinary technical prowess. You will not be talked down to during the film; it highlights some very real problems (no matter how clumsily or on the nose). And even if that wasn't the case, you can still enjoy the immersion. Sam Worthington isn't a hack; the sequel proved he's a actually pretty good at his job. Cameron certainly isn't a hack either, crafting unforgettable cinematic experience after unforgettable cinematic experience, no matter how flawed each of them may be.
Not only Cameron push the limit of filmmaking he also push his actor to their best limit.
He has created great characters
Reminds of Linda Hamilton
Actually pretty crazy rendering time when you think about it, especially with Avatar 2. You not only have to render out twice as much frames, 48 compare to the previous 24, but you also need to render 2 separate frames for each frame, making the render time 4 times longer than the original. Of course, considering new tech, it takes probably long as the first one did, but doing 4x the render load.
But the tech, GPUS, hardware and render farms have evolved in the past decade too, and obviously the software. So it is more advanced but the bar is higher too.
Everything was pushed to the limit for this sequel
Thank you for this detailed insight. I'm also in awe of all the actors involved who are capable of playing into virtual scenes with all the emotions as if it is real, all with technology never seen before.
Everyone did their job well!
@@StudioBinder hey Studio Banger I just want to let you know that I love watching you guys create movies
Im so happy that we get to experience something like avatar and its majestic beauty, its an escape from reality and it just triggers so much emotions and feelings inside of me it is simply stunning, very thankful to Cameron for sharing his dream with us and allowing us to enjoy this incredible art that he created!
Long time coming!
Cannot wait to be blown away again! Seeing the Avatar 4K HDR IMAX remaster a few months ago looked incredible, and this will be even better!
Can't wait!
Today I watched the movie. It is breathtaking. The visuals are stunning.
Great to hear!
Well explained man. All the other videos I had watched about this topic were so unorganised and confusing. This was PERFECT❤️
Great to hear!
James Cameron is a gift to humanity.
JC is great and all but these dudes keep putting out the best content on this platform and we aint waiting 15 years for it. Thank you StudioBinder Team!!
Yes!
haha we wouldn't have an audience if we took as long as Cameron
This video is a cogent breakdown of the innovations that went into the creation of the Avatar films. Thanks, StudioBinder!
Thanks for watching!
James Cameron is so visionary. Especially technically and action wise, and movies like Terminator 1&2. Familiar story many times but effective.
Brilliant! Looking forward to Avatar 2.
Great work Studio Binder!
Glad you liked it!
I played Horizon Zero Dawn a couple of years back. I immediately knew that if anyone ever made a movie or show about it, it absolutely should be James Cameron because the entire ecosystem reminded me of the vision, scale and scope of Avatar.
He would be a great choice!
Xenoblade Chronicles X's planet Mira reminded me of Avatar's alien world, and one of the aliens (the blue guy, I forgot his name) reminded me of the characters.
Loved that game
Avatar 2 was the greatest cinematography experience I’ve ever had in a theater. Watched in IMAX 3D
Best part is he does not worry about screenplay structures. He simply goes to basic regular screenplay structure. He generates great characters and the drama between them is making the movie so engaging! It doesn't matter if the structure is old school "save the cat" beat sheet
no need to reinvent the wheel
Thank you @StudioBinder, you've earned my subscription. But seriously, this is the channel for your Behind the Scenes coverage.
Appreciate it!
This channel is the best. This type of information is gold for us that work in the area. Thank you so much for this.
Glad you liked it!
This channel broooo!!!! So informative. Kudos to the narrator….if I could I would have every film maker subscribed to this….love every bit. Keep em’ coming
Awesome as always. Thank you Studiobinder
Thanks for watching!
I'm sitting here watching all these "behind the scenes" videos on UA-cam, but what I really want to be doing is watching the movie again!
I enjoyed this. Thank you.
This is the only guy who can create actual 3D content, no other movies even come close. Watching his movies in the theatres feels like it’s happening just in front of you.
Every time he makes a new movie, it always breathtaking and beautifully made!
always innovating!
Breathtaking ❤
Thanks STUDIOBINDER for this inspiring class.
Cheers!
It's getting slightly better but the REAL IS REAL and human eyes and brain can see it.
We'll see!
Couldn't even imagine the complexity of Avatar shooting - thank you for such an in-depth analysis
Oh, wow! I'm gobsmacked by the sheer scale of work and technology that went into making these movies. I was aware of the ingenuity that went into the production of the first Avatar movie. But to see how much further they (James Cameron and crew) went to create and bring to screens around the world the spectacle that is the sequel, I take my hat off to him and his crew. He and his merry bend of techinitians are the grandmasters of technical filmmaking!
it's the peak of filmmaking technology
Seeing this truly awesome. I love Cameron's works! Thanks for covering this.
Inspiring to watch. Great video. Also, Wētā FX did phenomenal work in post-production.
Glad you liked it!
these movies are truly breathtaking.... I really wish more films were done at this quality
*Apart from great content that STUDIOBINDER provide, I really feel excited and impressed that you guys reply to the selected comments, which makes us all feel that studiobinder is accessible to our ideas & feedback...it's like we can talk to them, and they are listening everything. THANK YOU StudioBinder.*
we're definitely listening. Always appreciate the feedback!
I give ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) for this movie.
Amazing... Honestly I wanna watch it again.
The best online film school in the game! Can't express how helpful this channel has been in my journey to understand what the hell I'm doing with a camera. Large appreciation from South Korea team!
Cheers!
Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Best underwater film ever, like The Abyss.
Omg it's amazing movie and I appreciate all the great work team's members. Love ❤️ you and God bless you all ❤️💕❤️
This video truly shows the effort that James Cameron made to make this film....
both films!
This video's ending is epic ,the narrator says ‘we will see you next week'and jake & neytiri says ‘I see you’. And even the ‘no need to hold your breathe'and the villian wears a mask.
Glad you liked it :)
I think I would have to hold my breath till the next video. What I just saw is mind-blowing!!!!!
haha stay safe
Cameron always brings high expectations. Great video studio binder.
man is still hustling
The best way to do art is doing your way. That's what makes James Cameron and other genius stand out. Expressing themselves their way
He definitely has great vision!
ソニーのカメラやニコンのレンズが使われてて嬉しい👍
Thanks for watching!
Imagine.. Avatar 3, somehow shot in space.
the only logical next step haha
James Cameron is the most genius film director of all time.The ways he use to make his movies is absolutely incredible to watch and know.
James Cameron is One of the Most Inspiring Modern Filmmaker today. A Creator, A Genius who's the Ambitions makes Innovation. Thank you StudioBinder for the Video. I Am Inspired to watch Avatar The Way of Water.
we're excited too!
The narrator does an amazing job here.exactly like a teacher.
Many thanks from India.
U know what: I'd love to see how they shot The Batman (2022) with use of volumes and what types of lenses and gear they used 😄
Thanks for the suggestion!
Thankyou StudioBinder for this video.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this breakdown, Studiobinder! I just came home from watching Avatar 2 in IMAX 3D, and I kept mouthing “wow” before the spectacle! The story is pretty simple, but it resonates with the most profound feelings in our hearts.
By the way, have you done a breakdown on LucasFilm’s The Volume? It came under fire following terrible use on Boba Fett and Kenobi. I am interested in listening to your thoughts. Thanks!
Great to hear! We haven't but appreciate the tip
Thanks studio binder... 😍
So exited to see this on a IMAX screen
Going to be awesome 🔥🔥
It’s so genius that I wanna cry! And I did cry in the end
just watched Avatar 2 and sheeesh! the best!!
Now this is a whole lot! JC be steady pushing boundaries
always has :)
You guys are always the best
🙏🙏
Kate Winslet... She's a superwoman! And Sigourney! Damn... 🤘💪
both great actresses!
So good. Been here since 10,000 subs
CAN'T WAIT TO SEEEE ITTTTT
us too!
Great docu, thanks
Amazing!
So much effort by all. Cameron is beyond Genius.
He's always pushing the boundaries
Watched Avatar 2..it is spellbounding.. Marvellous making
Irayo nìtxan nìwolt! Which is Na'vi for 'thank you so much', for covering Avatar. I have been an unexpected fan of Avatar since it came out 13 years ago. It gave me an amazing journey in meeting new people and even lead to a visit by us Avatar fans to Jim Cameron's studios in LA back in 2014. We got given a live demonstration of their performance capture in the volume as well as getting to see props from Avatar (and Titanic, Terminator, Aliens and True Lies). Besides having a Q&A with people involved in the film, they also showed us Avatar in their in house cinema. Lightstorm have been amazing with their fans and we can't wait to return to Pandora. 'Siva ko!', which means 'rise to the challenge'.
Hyped for this weekend!
@@StudioBinder I'll say! I think its not about if you are going to see it, but rather how many times!
The Revenant would be nice
Thanks for the suggestion!
Im going to see this movie on Saturday...its gonna be epic for sure
Sweet!
truly inspiring
Informative ❤️
How did they hold their breath for soo long under the water impresses me
Training 😮
Un vrai magicien et un réalisateur de légende !!!
Great video, as always!
People always talk about the technical wonders of Avatar, but rarely talk about the beautiful story. I, precisely, saw the other day an interview in which one of the actors pointed that out. She thought the visuals are fantastic, but she thinks the story of The Way of Water is better and greater than the one of the first one.
hope it is!
The heroes of this movie are the actors who had to hold their breath & act at the same time. 💯% greatness!
just saw avatar 2 recently, it absolutely astounds me how much human emotion they put into cgi characters. there weee moments when i remembered that they were cgi and not real actors and i was boggled.
7 MIN UNDER WATER WHATTTT
a really useful skill haha
An extraordinary video on an extraordinary director.
🙌🙌
Thanks amazing work..
Thanks for watching!
Just creating the technology for this is amazing itself. Then to utilise and implement it is groundbreaking.
Thanks Studio Binder
👍👍
Going to see avatar 2 tonight w the family in imax, can't wait
I was expecting this video❤
Cheers!
i wanted to make sure i watched the movie first before watching this video and let me tell you James Cameron is one of a kind an absolute genius Avatar 2 is even better than the first one
Cameron will go down as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Long after he is gone, his movies will be seen and talked about for ages.
they're standing the test of time so far
I don't understand why so many people don't like James Cameron. He's an incredible director!
His imaginations are beyond our expectations
I Lv u Jim💜💚💛
we're lucky to see him work!
I just thank God for studio Binder. That's all I can say
Cheers!
Hell yeah Kate Winslet! 7 plus minutes under water while acting is incredible.
So hyped!
Agreed!
I can't find words for it. 💚💖💙
Words not needed, just a like and share ;)
You’ve got to admit, this is pretty genius film-making.
Incredible
Thanks for watching!
James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because he is James Cameron he is a genius.
👌👌
Thanks studio binder wea could I get this information ❤
Hope it helps!
Cameron is from another planet. May be they have these technologies on their planet and Cameron is just importing them here on earth. Legend 👏
He's just going off of memory
9:53 beautiful shot 😍
🔥🔥