CAGD 325 Motion Capture

Pre-Viz Final Project

Final Project prompt:
In this assignment, we are assigned to create a previsualization sequence. This process consists of:

• Basic camera aesthetics furthering your language of film.
• Create a motion/shot list to plan out your time in the volume and animation.
• Using Optitrack Motive, MVN Studio, MotionBuilder, and both mocap systems to capture the data.
• Editing animation in MotionBuilder, and export the scene into Marmoset for the final layout.
• Apply video editing techniques.

From composing shots to animating cameras to doing quick, efficient character animation, we are expected to learn the skills needed to allow us utilize necessary tool sets to help today’s top filmmakers transform their stories from rough storyboards to fully-realized previsualization that is often not far from the finished product. 

Teams of 3 is required to help during the motion capture process

Assignment duration: 5 weeks

Storyboard Criteria:

• Create a Storyboard with a shot list and camera angles for the video sequence in Camtasia, Premiere, Photoshop, or After Effects, or equivalent.
• Be broad and simple with your own original story.
• Create thumbnails of the sequence (to help with the timing of animation) in premiere, photoshop, or after-effects (can be hand-drawn as well) for final approval from the instructor.
• Needs a minimum of two characters
• blockout between 10 - 20 shots or more for the story. The length of Previz animation is 20 or longer seconds (maximum a minute)
• Needs to be a cohesive story without the reference video. Motion list and Asset List Criteria
• Create one excel spreadsheet with a motion list of all animations and assets.
• Collects from online and provided resources for this project. All scenes/assets must be Credited.
• Scenes/assets used in this project should be cited in the motion/asset list ( stating where you got the asset or motion from).Rough Cut Criteria
• The animation sequence must be the length of the video unless otherwise approved.
• Needs to be a cohesive story without the storyboard notes.
• 80% of animation needs to be done with mocap and cleaned up.
• Use Marmoset Toolbag for the rough-cut animation sequence (dynamic lighting not needed)Final Video Requirements
• Render out final Animation in Marmoset Toolbag
• Needs proper lighting and different shaders to distinguish characters and actors
• 80% of animation needs to be done with mocap and cleaned up.
• NAME Video file according to naming conventions
• Submit a compressed video at a resolution of 1920x1080 in mp4 format.
• MUST HAVE ENVIRONMENT! Models can be pulled from the web or simple blockouts in the scene.
• Save movie file in an mp4 format using the H.264 codec at a resolution of 1920x1080. Use handbrake for the conversion process to drop the file size.

My contribution and responsibilities:

• Have Character Approach/interact with hallway door scenes (0:06 - 0:16)
• Applied realistic motions to character to help portray story
• Run to door, try opening locked door w/ one hand
• Turn and run to another door
• Looks over shoulder
• Runs to another door, opens this door w one hand (Camera Under)
• Swing door open motion (Cut Camera)
• Arranged scene utilizing tools available in Marmoset Toolbag
• Animated, cleaned and smoothed necessary motions in Motionbuilder and Optitrack Motive 

Project references: 

• Bed prop: https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/old-bed-3d-model-1508685
• Main character Remy: https://www.mixamo.com/#/?page=1&query=remy&type=Character
• Hallway: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/building-hallway-b8088f23f2064eb6a929014032eff6f1

Game Animation Pack

Animating Props in Motionbuilder