Breaking down the script

[DMan]

BREAK DOWN THE SCRIPT
              Breaking scripts down for motion capture, on a T.V. series or feature, is slightly different than for regular film.

Normal script breakdowns for film would be broken down into camera shots.

Because the camera in motion capture is virtual and can be placed anywhere in relation to the motion which is shot, it is not necessary to break scripts down based on camera shots.

Motion capture shooting can be broken down into capture volume sizes required per shot.

Because we can place the virtual camera after the fact, it may save time to shot many different camera shots which all occur in the same location, with one master motion capture shot.

               You may want to have some shots which are specifically to get particular camera angles

Having previously stated that you don’t have to shoot the same way that normal film does, there will still be times when shooting with specific camera angles in mind is necessary.

You may want to shoot some things like traditional film, because a shot done as a wide master might not work in a close up. You may want to shoot close up shots separately.

             Motion capture shots should be kept to around the three to five minute mark or less.

The longer the shots are, the harder they are to deal with in the computer, as the keyframe information that motion capture generates is quite computationally heavy.

              Longer shots also make it hard for actors re-acting to audio to stay in synch.

Unless the audio is very complete (more than just dialogue...with sounds effects), it can be quite difficult for actors to stay in synch on long takes.

Break the script down into more manageable 10 or 15 second shots, (something under 1 minute) when actors react to audio.

               Break down the script into the following groupings

Single character, no props,

Single character, props

Multi person, no props

Stunts, no props

Single person, props

Multi person, props

Stunts, props

Face Capture

Face and Body capture (if any)

              Sort the various groups further, into capture volume sizes required

Moves fall into the following categories

small volume face capture,

small volume face and body capture,

normal capture

tall volume

long volume

Prop Specific volume

[biggyninja]

Thats really handy. Good stuff.

[DMan]

Thanks!

although I would add the caveat the this information is (to me) quite old.

It's from before Polar Express so doesnt cover face and body capture.