Entertainment
Motion Capture for Film and TV Production
Virtual production and motion capture for a new age of Film & TV
We work with the leading production studios, film makers and universities to revolutionize storytelling by helping them create blockbuster visual effects and immersive environments for film and TV production.
Motion Capture for Film Production
It’s highly likely that the last TV show or film you saw had at least some sort of VFX, virtual production, pre-viz or motion capture involved in its creation. Motion capture for film and television is no longer limited to the biggest-budget blockbuster sci-fi films—it’s become an indispensable tool in many filmmakers’ arsenal. Since the first use of film motion capture in 1995, Vicon has been at the forefront of technology and creativity in this arena. For decades, we’ve built up the expertise, bespoke systems, relationships, and passion for virtual film-making, and this momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
START YOUR MOTION CAPTURE JOURNEY Turning your creative visions into reality has never been easier with motion capture
From pre-visualization to final production, Vicon’s technology supports dynamic virtual production workflows, allowing for real-time feedback and rapid prototyping. This enables filmmakers to blend live-action footage with digital elements smoothly, creating stunning visual effects and immersive environments. Vicon’s holistic approach, combining hardware and software, provides a robust solution for film and TV production, ensuring that every creative vision is captured with unmatched fidelity and efficiency.
ACCELERATE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS
Capture every nuance with Vicon Markerless, the ultimate motion capture solution for film and TV. Free your actors from restrictive suits and markers, allowing for authentic, unrestrained movement that translates seamlessly to the screen. With Shōgun’s real-time tools and industry-validated pipelines, directors and VFX teams can iterate faster, refine performances instantly, and integrate seamlessly into post-production. From previs to final animation, accelerate storytelling like never before.
Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher And Vicon
In the production of “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Vicon’s motion capture technology was pivotal in creating the show’s most chilling and immersive moments. Collaborating with the show’s visual effects team, Vicon provided its advanced Vantage cameras and Shōgun software to capture realistic movements and facial expressions, essential for the series’ haunting supernatural scenes. Vicon’s involvement allowed the team to seamlessly integrate digital characters and effects into live-action footage, enhancing the show’s dark, atmospheric storytelling. “Vicon’s technology enabled us to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said the production team, highlighting Vicon’s crucial role in bringing their creative vision to life.
Motion Capture for Previsualization and Production
Vicon’s technology is perfectly tailored for motion capture for television and film, providing comprehensive tools that enhance every stage of the creative process. Vicon’s high-precision cameras,, capture detailed motion data with unrivalled accuracy, essential for complex visual effects (VFX) and virtual production.
Advanced Shōgun software seamlessly integrates this data into real-time environments, enabling directors to visualize and manipulate digital elements on set, enhancing efficiency and creative control.
VICON VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Facilitating more efficient and streamlined pre-production, Vicon’s virtual production pipeline enables the precise tracking of both rigid objects and full-body subjects. This advanced system allows users to seamlessly integrate film and video cameras with highly realistic digital characters, fostering enhanced creativity and collaboration on set.
From VR scouting and full-body performance capture to green screen and in-camera VFX, the Vicon pipeline seamlessly supports every aspect.
See our Virtual Production Solution
Motion Capture Systems for Film Production
SHŌGUN
One license includes all three elements below.
SHŌGUN LIVE
- Real time capture of the performance
- Reconstructs the motion and fits the skeleton to the performer
SHŌGUN POST
- Clean & edit the marker data e.g. custom batch process, auto process, scripting (python)
- Export to game engine or animation tool like Maya or Motionbuilder
RETARGETING
- Creates mapping between the character and the performer’s skeleton
- Can be streamed to game engine
Game engine plugins
We provide plugins for the main game engines to allow you to render your character and scene in the game engine.
EXPLORE
Valkyrie
Valkyrie is the most powerful motion capture camera ever brought to market, offered with four different specs with four different focuses: resolution, speed, value, and strobeless.
EXPLORE
Vero
Vero combines market-leading resolution and speed at an unrivalled price point. Like its bigger brother, Vantage, Vero has on-board sensors that monitor camera position and temperature to ensure optimal performance at all times.
EXPLORE
ADDITIONAL HARDWARE
Lock Lab and Lock Studio are Vicon’s control boxes for connecting, integrating and synchronizing third-party devices with your Vicon motion capture system – whether analog or digital.
EXPLORE
FAQ's
How is motion capture used in film and TV production?
In film and TV, motion capture records an actor’s performance, including facial expression and full-body movement, and maps it onto a digital character, which is then blended with live-action footage. It underpins VFX, pre-visualization, and virtual production, and has been a filmmaking tool since the first use of film motion capture in 1995, with Vicon involved from the very start.
What are the benefits of motion capture for filmmaking?
Motion capture gives filmmakers real-time feedback, rapid prototyping, and high-fidelity performance capture, so digital elements blend seamlessly with live action. It supports every stage from pre-visualization to final production, helping teams iterate faster, refine performances instantly, and spot issues early, reducing cost and reshoots while raising creative control and on-screen realism.
Can motion capture be used for virtual production?
Yes. Motion capture sits at the heart of virtual production. Vicon’s pipeline tracks both rigid objects and full-body performers, integrating film and video cameras with realistic digital characters on set. It supports VR scouting, full-body performance capture, green screen, and in-camera VFX, letting directors visualize and manipulate digital elements in real time as they shoot.
How does motion capture improve visual effects workflows?
Motion capture streamlines VFX by capturing detailed, accurate motion data that feeds directly into real-time environments through Shōgun. This lets VFX teams integrate digital characters and effects seamlessly into live-action footage, iterate faster with industry-validated pipelines, and carry performances cleanly into post-production, as seen on Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher.
Is motion capture used in real-time on set?
Yes. Vicon’s systems capture and process motion in real time, so directors and VFX teams can visualize digital characters and environments live on set rather than waiting for post-production. Shōgun’s real-time tools drive on-set decision-making, LED wall workflows, and in-camera VFX, giving crews immediate feedback while the camera is rolling.
GET IN TOUCH
Vicon is here to support you on your motion capture journey. We’re happy to provide more information, answer questions and help you find the solution you need. Fill out the form below.
SUPPORT FOR LIFE
Support is a crucial part of the Vicon offering and it’s something we’re very proud of. Not only do new customers receive a one year warranty on their hardware, but all of our customers benefit from basic phone, email and web technical support for the life of their system.
Get support