SIGGRAPH Motion Capture FreeForAll PhaseSpace Inc Provides Free Motion Capture Studio Time for Participants at SIGGRAPH 2005



PhaseSpace Inc. returned to SIGGRAPH 2005, the premier annual conference on computer animation, for the third strait year to provide free motion capture studio time for SIGGRAPH attendees. PhaseSpace set-up and staffed a 24'x24' portable motion capture studio, complete with a surround-sound system. Persons attending the conference signed up with PhaseSpace for a free 15 minute motion capture session; they were dressed out with active LED markers and given the opportunity to capture their choice of motion. In all, PhaseSpace had over 60 participants during the conference, and captured 344 takes which are being provided to the performers free of charge for them to use for independent projects, animation shorts, teaching tools, etc.

Peter Braccio, who was in charge of the Guerrilla studio, had this to say: "PhaseSpace has been an integral part of the Guerrilla Studio for the past three years. They have offered something that you can't find anywhere else; the ability to get your own motion capture for just the effort of signing up for a slot and taking the time to record it." PhaseSpace personnel had the pleasure of watching a variety of professional and amateur performances from people with a variety of talents. Several spectacular martial artists put the hardware to test as they performed high speed, high impact aerial maneuvers. "We saw and captured some great dance performances. Flamenco, modern, ballet, and hip-hop dancers really made the show, and demonstrated how our motion capture system can accurately track and capture complex motion in real time," said John McKnight of PhaseSpace's sales and marketing team.

The real winners of PhaseSpace's portable motion capture studio were the participants in the Guerrilla studio. Educators and performers alike gained first hand experience in operating and working with a high end motion capture system. Charles Luther, PhaseSpace's CFO commented that "Our contribution to the Guerrilla studio was rewarded by the excitement of the many participants who experienced capturing their own motions for inclusion in their personal projects." Many teachers, actors, and performing artists took time to learn about the science and capabilities of motion capture technology. Debbie Dias, an accomplished Flamenco dancer, came to the studio with the dream of being the first "mocapped Flamenco Dancer."My idea was to create a custom choreography specifically for motion capture that would take advantage of mocap's ability to record movement 360 degrees around. One question I knew would not be answered until I actually got suited up was how much my mobility might be impaired by the wiring (other companies' suits in the not-so-distant past have involved tethering or other cumbersome contrivances). It was a relief to find PhaseSpace's equipment not only lightweight but adjustable: the markers could be positioned according to the movements I wanted to make. I may have looked like a Christmas tree but I felt like a rock star, with the attentive professionalism I was given by the folks at PhaseSpace."

PhaseSpace is looking forward to SIGGRAPH 2006 in Boston and another year in the Guerrilla Studio. Contact PhaseSpace to be put on the mailing list for next year's free motion capture studio time at SIGGRAPH, other PhaseSpace events, or to arrange a demonstration of PhaseSpace motion capture technology at their San Leandro facilities.





SIGGRAPH Motion Capture FreeForAll PhaseSpace Inc Provides Free Motion Capture Studio Time for Participants at SIGGRAPH 2005