Chapter 799： The technical difficulties of "Avatar" (Part 2)

Head to head Hollywood 799.3 Author Qiandixue Full text 3406 words

Motion capture technology appeared very early, but in the past, most of them were mechanical, acoustic, electromagnetic and other motion capture technologies, which were relatively backward. Until 20 years ago... MIT developed a set of graphic marionettes based on optical principles, the earliest optical motion capture system, called "Op-Eye". Optical motion capture technology has also been favored by Hollywood and applied in movies. The current mainstream motion capture technology actually relies on the continuous improvement of "Op-Eye", the continuous improvement of the "motion capture clothing" on the marionette, the installation of more sensors, and the use of more sensor **** to improve the final visual presentation. The "black sensor suit" on Tom Hanks in "The Polar Express" is the latest invention of Industrial Light and Magic. Unexpectedly, when Hollywood continues to capture more movements by increasing the number of sensor balls, MIT's Optical Laboratory has already found another direction. It really is a world-class university! When it comes to promoting science and technology, Hollywood as a whole is no match. Of course, if there is research and development, there must be funding! MIT is a private university, and its main source of funding...is donations from celebrities. As for this "donation", the meaning is very deep. Some are really gratuitous donations, and some... are actually the acquisition of the latest scientific research results. "No problem, donate $10 million to MIT in the name of New Universal..." "How much? $10 million?" Cameron looked at Dunn in surprise, with a weird expression. "What's wrong?" Dunn was puzzled. Cameron sneered: "This is the most sophisticated and high-end technology in the world, and it is unique! Not to mention the daily expenses of researchers, the cost of equipment alone is more than $10 million!" "No way? It's so expensive. ?" Dunn was shocked. Even an expensive imax camera is only a few hundred thousand dollars. Cameron said: "After all, this is the latest research result, which is equivalent to a concept version. Even if we start the price on the ground, we can't do anything about it." The laboratory's research and development expenses for the past two years can still be reserved for further research and development. It is considered a good deed." "30 million US dollars..." Tang En twitched the corners of his mouth, his heart agitated. It's so expensive! In the previous life, the budget of "Avatar" was as high as 500 million US dollars! Among them, the production cost is 280 million US dollars, and the publicity cost is 220 million US dollars. Of that $280 million in production costs, $65 million was technical support. In other words, Cameron spent a total of 65 million US dollars in order to film "Avatar" and solve technical problems! "Where's the patent?" Tang En's heart moved and suddenly blurted out. The future of motion capture will still look like a "marionette". The expression capture technology is constantly being developed relying on the principle of "optical headgear". Cameron shook his head and said, "I don't know, but...the marionette's patent has made a lot of money for them. This optical headgear, if you want to buy out the patented technology at one time, without 100 million US dollars, I am afraid it is difficult to do it." Tang En pouted, and never mentioned it again. It's ridiculous! The headgear type expression capture system is an unprecedented innovation at present, and it is still in the testing stage, so the unit price is very high. When the technology is mature and it can be mass-produced, a set of top-level equipment, 5 million US dollars is enough. Can be reused. Still, spending $30 million on the first crab...seems like a good deal! Tang En's eyes lit up and immediately said: "Okay, that's it! Contact them immediately, it's 30 million US dollars! In two months, I will see new equipment samples!" "You won't be... "..." Cameron's eyes widened, obviously seeing through Dunn's intentions. Dunn said with a smile: "I'm going to shoot "The Avengers" at the end of July, and I just happened to be able to use this equipment." Cameron was about to vomit blood, and he worked hard all over the United States to consult Dozens of service providers have found their favorite capture technology. This is great, it has become a part-time job for Dunn! The real-time preview technology at the beginning is the same, and the expression capture technology this time is the same! Bandit! This Dunn is so unreasonable! This is what he prepared for "Avatar", and he made a wedding dress for others... ""The Avengers"... This type of film does not need such high-end capture technology!" Cameron gritted his silver teeth, eyes Fire in. Tang En laughed and said, "Don't be so stingy, although it's a popcorn movie, as a filmmaker, you must always strive for perfection, right? Besides, there is a superhero 'Hulk' in "The Avengers", I just need motion capture and expression capture technology. I'll be a guinea pig for you, are you still not happy?" Because of his previous life experience, Tang En decided not to shoot the single film of "Hulk", but let him directly Appeared in the "Avengers" assembly. Other superheroes don't need expression capture, or even motion capture, and the natural effect is good. The Hulk is different, he is not a normal human shape, like a monster. If you want to shoot this green monster realistically, you need high-end technical support. Cameron felt powerless for Dunn's shamelessness. He cursed at him ten thousand words in his heart: "Robber!" Back then, he robbed him of "Titanic". Now, reaching out to grab the latest technology he painstakingly prepared for "Avatar"... If the visual effects of "Avengers" shocked the world and improved the aesthetic taste of global audiences, how could "Avatar" still be revolutionary and epoch-making amazing Special effects? Dunn saw his worry, waved his hand, and said, "James, your worries are really superfluous. In fact, we filmmakers pursue perfectionism, but ordinary movie fans, do they understand? They understand real-time preview technology. And expression capture technology? Can they tell which special effects are computer CG and which scene is motion capture? Too much research is just an explanation to professionals in the industry, not a responsibility to fans." "No! Cameron pointed to his chest with a solemn look on his face, "I'm responsible for the cause I love." Dunn smiled, not wanting to argue with him, "The biggest selling point of "Avatar" is actually the 3D effect , This is a transformation from nothing. Other computer CG and motion capture are just technical enhancements. I can assure you that "Avatar" is definitely the world's first 3D direct-shooting commercial film!" Came Only then did Long take a deep look at Tang En and nodded. He was so scared! He was afraid that Dunn would suddenly have an idea one day, and he would borrow his 3D direct shooting technology to make a 3D movie to be released before "Avatar". Then he was going to vomit blood. Fortunately, Dunn... still has a bottom line. With Tang En's current status, since he has made a guarantee, there is absolutely no possibility of breaking the promise, Cameron is relieved, sighed, and said: "However, the presentation of 3D effects, the current digital technology, must still be No." The resolution of digital images is far inferior to that of film. This can be distinguished with the naked eye through the imax giant screen. Once the image is 3D, the weakness of the low resolution of the digital copy will be further revealed. If the current digital photography technology has not improved, then the 3D version of "Avatar" will not be stunning visual effects, but dizzying. In his previous life, in order to solve this problem, Cameron cooperated with a number of digital companies and spent $14 million to finally develop a new camera system and digital technology. The digital copy resolution, color saturation, and image quality clarity of the 3D format have been greatly improved. "What a coincidence!" When this topic was mentioned, Tang En slightly raised his chin. Cameron's eyes lit up, "What?" Dunn smiled and said: "You know, I have acquired two companies, X company is promoting digital technology making imax digital cameras, which can adapt to giant screens Dolby Laboratories, not to mention the promotion of audio-visual integration, was my request on the first day of acquiring this laboratory.” Dolby Laboratories is actively promoting “Dolby Cinema" project. In order to succeed and achieve the transcendent audio-visual enjoyment of Dolby Cinema, the sound part is actually not difficult. After all, this is the housekeeping skill of Dolby Laboratories. The biggest difficulty is the more prominent high-definition visual imaging. Whether it is the digital shooting technology promoted by imax company, or the high-definition digital imaging technology promoted by Dolby Laboratories... Cameron's requirements are all of great help! Very simple, two technologies are "input" and one is "output". One is to shoot with higher resolution when shooting, and the other is to release higher resolution when projected. As long as it can be perfectly combined, the expected visual effect can be achieved! It is even higher-end than the digital photography system and digital technology used in the previous life "Avatar"! You know, both imax and Dolby Laboratories are the pinnacle of this industry! Under the promotion of Dunn, these two projects have been secretly developed for two years. Cameron asked in surprise: "You have been promoting new digital camera technology and digital imaging technology for a long time?" Dunn smiled: "Of course, don't forget, I am also a representative of the new director, and also a technology controller! I am also No worse than George Lucas!" In the field of digital technology, George Lucas is very famous. He is also the most powerful promoter of digital photography in the industry. However, Industrial Light and Magic is only a special effects company. It is very strong in software technology. In terms of hardware research and development... it is far from imax and Dolby Laboratories. Today's Hollywood, the real leader of digital technology, is Dunn Walker! https: Please remember this book's first domain name: . Nine Heavens God Emperor mobile version reading website: