Matchmoving and Motion Tracking

Ever imagined how your favourite superheroes on the screen can make such a deep impact on your mind. Apart from their superpowers all those moves, costumes, fight sequencing grab everyone’s attention right? For a VFX artist, it is essential to understand the process behind all of these sequences. To name a few Transformers, Avengers, and lots of other sci-fi movies take the help of match moving also referred to as motion tracking, to create an impactful presence on screen.

VFX is the technique that makes possible the interaction of 3D elements in real-world footage. To make all these 3D elements as real as possible a combination of a live-action camera along with a virtual camera is needed which is called match moving. Match moving is made possible by showing all the 3D models living alongside the actor with the help of a virtual camera that follows actually like the camera in the live-action footage.

As we are aware that today it’s not only in the entertainment business but several other arenas like military, gaming, sports, robotics, medical applications that use motion tracking. Here it is important to note that out of the many examples mentioned above, some refer to it as ‘motion tracking’ or ‘motion capture’, while for films and games it is referred to as ‘match moving’.

Human-computer interaction enhances to a large degree with match-moving as it helps in the animation of the 3-D model along with providing real-time information. Motion tracking is not only used for tracking human motions but it can be used for video tracking for the purpose of surveillance.

What does it take to become a match-move artist? 

• The very essential skill not everybody talks about is the eye for detail, yes to become a successful match move artist one should be keen to observe the tiniest of the details to bring accuracy in every project.
• The undeniable fact that a great match move artist should possess is the understanding of virtual 3D camera principles along with filming techniques and lenses.
• Match moving works with a lot of live information that is huge in size thus requires specific software, the knowledge of all relevant 3D packages becomes the primary requirement.
• However often neglected, for perfection and accuracy a good match move artist should be able to communicate well within their VFX departments about the filming and on set schedules.
• If you are one of the people who hone all these skills or are eager to learn new, congratulations you have taken that first step.

A day as a match move artist 

Responsible for generating a convincing image of the two i.e. computer-generated scenes and shots from live footage, Match move artists sometimes can be found at film sets measuring or tracking markers for their future reference.

A match move artist needs to be pixel perfect every time thus the job is to deliver highly accurate information. A person that enjoys an eye for every minute detail along with a strong belief in problem-solving is required. As it is the match move artist that will ensure perfect alignment between live footage and virtual camera even if get disoriented in some situations.

It is because of the technology of match moving that the real and the virtual scenes appear from the same perspective. Recreation of all the live-action backgrounds on a computer so that a virtual image of the camera can be mirrored is all possible with the efforts of match-move artists. In the final stage, the motion files are passed on to the layout artists, who further initiate the framing, composition, and camera angle of each VFX shot.

3 steps to get your first project as a match move artist 

• Match moving involves advanced level software so the basic requirement to get into this entry-level job is to have a suitable degree of knowledge about computer graphics or VFX specific software.
• If one has the desired skill set they can further polish their skills by joining apprenticeship programs in a VFX company which is jobs with training.
• The key to showcasing your talent is by networking with people working around the VFX industry. Take time to meet and interact with professionals from the field and stay updated.
• Apart from the necessary technical skills to deliver accuracy in every project, a Match move artist should watch a lot of films for a constant update in the VFX usage around.