Star Wars and Rise of The Planet of the Apes actor Andy Serkis is backing a unique course that will train a new generation of creative technicians to work in performance capture - the VFX technique used to transform an actor’s performances into a digitally realised character.
The 10-week course will be run by the NFTS in partnership with The Imaginarium - the performance capture studio and production company co-founded by Andy Serkis who plays Caesar in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes film and its sequels and the character Lord Snoke in the forthcoming Star Wars Episode VII – the Force Awakens.
Speaking from Vancouver, where he is filming War For The Planet of The Apes,Andy Serkis said: "The Imaginarium is passionate about expanding the British talent pool and building bridges to the multitude of facets that make up the visual and digital entertainment industry. So we’re thrilled to be partnering with the NFTS to deliver a unique course that will train a new generation of creative technicians to work in Performance Capture."
Starting in February 2016, will train people to work in this fast expanding area of the film and games industry. It will be taught by industry professionals at both the NFTS, in Beaconsfield, and The Imaginarium, based at Ealing Studios where students will enjoy a work placement.
Graduates will produce a fully-realised performance capture sequence to be shown at an industry screening. There is also a guaranteed paid job contract for one graduate at the end of each course.
Tony Orsten, CEO of The Imaginarium Studios, said there was an urgent need to train people to work in performance capture: "Our remit, as championed by our founder and creative mentor, Andy Serkis, is to tell next generation stories using our techniques and technologies. To do that, our industry needs new talent – very quickly. Working with the NFTS to inspire and educate the next generation of creative/technicians in the performance capture arena is clearly vitally important to continue the UK’s stellar journey in the VFX industry."
The Imaginarium combines the latest technology with the highest standards of execution to create the ultimate next-generation storytelling capability in film, television, video games and digital applications. The studio has recently worked on: Jungle Book: Origins; Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens; Ryse: Son of Rome; Avengers: Age of Ultron and Fungus the Bogeyman.
Don't miss your opportunity to join this exciting new course. APPLY by January 11, 2016, for the full-time course that starts in February 2016. Find out more about this course here …https://nfts.co.uk/our-courses/certificate/performance-capture
Pictured is a performance capture station ad The Imaginarium.
