Live animation! Tec students are pioneers in Latin America

Bachelor of Digital Arts degree students at the Tec’s State of Mexico campus were the first in Latin America to use a new camera system capable of projecting interactive real-time animations.

It all started with the Virtual Production project carried out by the Space Boy company, which consists of the planning, production, and execution of live events using special effects and mixed reality.

Students also had the opportunity to use the motion capture laboratory at the Tec’s Mexico City campus, integrating both the campus’s filming equipment and that of the company.

This collaboration resulted in the creation of one of the largest digital animation laboratories in the history of Mexico, made up of 18 filming devices.

Using real-time interactive animation

“Space Boy is one of the few studios in Mexico that specializes in the use of this technology, so we decided to work on an agreement through which it was possible to train our students.

“The organization was very pleased with the students’ performance, so it invited them to collaborate on a film production,” said Fernando Vicencio, director of the Bachelor of Digital Arts degree at the State of Mexico campus.

This production is part of a collaboration between Space Boy and ZEISS, a leading German optics company that is currently developing its cinema area: ZEISS CinCraft Scenario.

In order to demonstrate and implement the Virtual Production technique, ZEISS proposed giving Tec students the opportunity to participate in the production of a short film to Space Boy.

SVEN: A short film made with cutting-edge technology

SVEN is the title of the short film that tells the story of a dancer who must fight against adversity in order to give one of her best performances.

Using digital production techniques and constant motion capture through cameras provided by Space Boy, the actress will interact in real time with her digital representation.

“The magical interaction we are working on in this production means that the protagonist will make contact with her younger self: this meant generating a 3D model of the child version of her character,” explained the academic.

This generated a unique learning experience for the students who participated in the project, as well as high-quality results.

“The organization was very pleased with the students’ performance, so it invited them to collaborate on a film production.”

A professional internship offered by Space Boy will soon be available at an institutional level, which will teach students how to use high-end digital equipment in the best possible way.

In addition, it is expected that Bachelor of Digital Arts students will collaborate next year on the creation of a new production wholly structured and directed by themselves.

“It’s very exciting to see students participating in this type of project. They’ve shown that they have the ability to work in a professional environment,” concluded Vicencio, the director.

The tentative dates for the short film’s release are between September and October 2024, with the possibility of a premiere at the State of Mexico campus theater.

SVEN will be available afterwards on the official ZEISS CinCraft Scenario website.

DON’T GO WITHOUT READING: