February 22, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Reality boost for computer generated imagery
By Mark Rutter

LONDON, February 22, Graphic News:  Computer graphics (CG) is a term first coined at the beginning of the 1960s to refer to the technique of using a computer to manipulate images from the real world. The technology has been adopted by filmmakers over the last 30 years to generate animation and other special effects. Now further advances are revolutionising the quality of CG. The Henson Digital Performance Studio (HDPS) is employing trained puppeteers to control the movement and performances of the characters to create images for computer enhancement, giving a much more realistic outcome.

Early developments in CG were driven by academic and government interests, but it wasnÕt long before the technology came to the attention of the commercial world. The use of CG in feature films is believed to have begun in 1973 with Michael CrichtonÕs Westworld. Another milestone was laid down in 1977 when Star Wars became the first film to use 3D CG. Further developments were made possible as microprocessor speeds began to take off in the 1980s, one of which was to use a process known as shading. This involves the computer simulating what an image will look like when illuminated by a light source. In practice this means coming up with a more realistic representation and producing an image of the quality that appears acceptable by todayÕs standards. Among the earliest first feature films to use shaded 3D computer graphics imagery were CrichtonÕs Looker, in 1981, and DisneyÕs Tron, and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, both released in 1982.

The Jim Henson Company, formed by the man famed for creating the Muppets, has been at the forefront of character animation and visual effects for the film and television industries over several decades. Today, it is a multimedia production company and its portfolio includes Labyrinth, Around the World in 80 Days, The English Patient, and 101 Dalmatians. The latest offering from the company uses real-time 3D animation HDPS puppet technology. This motion capture technique involves filming performers, usually with eight infra-red cameras. One puppeteer acts out a characterÕs body movements, which are captured, animated and projected live on to a background screen. A second puppeteer improvises the characterÕs facial expressions in real time by mechanical manipulation of the eyes, eyebrows and mouth.

The results can be seen in the forthcoming film Frances, based on the classic childrenÕs book about a family of badgers. The film is directed by Brian Henson, son of Jim and CEO of the Henson Company. As all of a characterÕs movements are made by people and not by a computer, the process is quicker than other forms of CG animation. The main advantage however, is that the technique allows for spontaneity while filming, resulting in a much more jaunty end product with an exceptional level of realism.
/ENDS