Even though many modern blockbusters feature whole scenes that are rendered digitally, filmmakers can use a variety of techniques to make sure they still have complete control over the camera in computer-generated environments. These techniques are referred to as virtual cinematography, and that’s what we’re talking to Weta Digital about today. Weta Digital, the New Zealand-based visual effects company responsible for bringing Alita: Battle Angel to life, was kind enough to invite us to their headquarters and show us around. In the final video from our visit, the visual effects artists at Weta show us how virtual cameras work and explain how filmmakers bring classic storytelling principles to a computer-generated environment.
You can also see us put on a motion-capture suit and kick some cyborg ass here.
2 Comments
Sorry to say this, but they gave this thing to the one person in your team who felt REALLY uncomfortable to move in this virtual space. I do get, that this might feel uncomfortable since it takes a while for your brain to get used to being in two spaces simultaneously and people are worried about stumbling and falling down, but come on!?They had a full team out, to get this thing running and Nick actually points out that this is usually “A fun experience for the director”…unlike Mara, I guess?
I find it funny how Marah lowers the camera and then keeps looking at the monitor screens throughout even though she has the camera viewfinder screen literally in her hands 🙂