Dr. George Popovich, Director of Theater, Henry Ford Community College, Artistic Director, VTL
Alan Contino, Chief Engineer
Dan Lemieux, Motion Capture Acting and Physical Performance

MOTION CAPTURE CERTIFICATE

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It is no secret that the film industry is rapidly moving into Detroit. Major studio growth is beginning NOW! Jobs will go to those with ADVANCED skills. The VTL now offers a series of 4 classes that result in a Motion Capture Certificate. The skills offered in this certificate are comparable to the industry standard position of Motion Capture Systems Technician.

Motion Capture has been used in major Motion Pictures such as LORD OF THE RINGS, THE POLAR EXPRESS, HAPPY FEET, BEOWULF and THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON as well as thousands of video games. Perhaps more importantly,  it  is quickly  becoming  a means to produce animated  television  shows quickly  and with  quality  results as evidenced in such productions  as SID THE SCIENCE KID and JANE AND THE DRAGON. With the opening of  Wonderstruck Studios  in  Detroit  this  year,  Motion Capture is destined to be a technology  in  high  demand  in  the Metro area.

The certificate was developed in cooperation with Thad Johnson, owner of Critical Moves USA, Detroit’s professional Motion Capture Facility and Dan Lemieux, Hollywood stunt coordinator and Motion Capture performer.
The Motion Capture course sequence is taught by Alan Contino. Mr. Contino has been training students on various Motion Capture systems since 2003 and is currently the Chief Research Engineer at The Virtual Theatricality Lab. Mr. Contino received his training from Vicon’s House of Moves in Los Angeles, California.
The courses are taught using a Vicon Optical Motion Capture System, Blade and Motion Builder Software. These are the same tools used to create Motion Capture Characters in THE POLAR EXPRESS and BEOWULF.

As a prerequisite for the Certificate course sequence, Art 209, Maya is required. The course is offered Spring Semester (May 12 to June 29th) 2009. The class is offered TWR from 5:35-7:30 PM. This class may be taken concurrently with STH 262, Introduction to Motion Capture. It is also possible to test out of the Maya class, by showing evidence of taking a similar course or by interview/demonstration.

Introduction to Motion Capture will be offered TWR 9:35-11:30 AM Spring Semester. STH 263. Intermediate Motion Capture, will be offered TWR 9:35-11:30 AM Summer Semester (June 30th-Aug 17th). STH 264, Advanced Motion Capture Application, will be offered Fall Semester, 2009, TR 9:40-11:10 AM.

Superior students will be invited to participate in the EXCLUSIVE VTL Mo-Cap LIVE stage production of DINOSAURUS! For more details, call Dr. George Popovich, Director of the Virtual Theatricality Lab @ 313-845-6478 or email him @ popovich@hfcc.