Category: Collaborative Unit

Scene Development

During weeks 9–12, our group focused on integrating the motion capture animation with the environments and finalising the main scenes of the project. This stage involved combining the captured performances, characters, and environments into a complete sequence.

Animation and Character Integration

The mocap data was processed and applied to the characters, including the humanoid MetaHuman and the mannequin used for testing animation. This allowed us to visualise how the captured performance translated into the digital characters.

At the same time, the café environment and the laboratory set were placed into the Unreal Engine scene to support the narrative.

Cinematic Setup

We also began setting up cameras and scene composition to present the story clearly. This included framing the interaction between the alien and the human in the café and ensuring that the character movements and emotions could be clearly seen.

Final Outcome

By the end of this stage, we were able to assemble the main sequence of the project, showing the alien’s interaction in the café and the training process.

Reflection

This final stage helped us understand how different elements—motion capture performance, environment design, and animation—come together to create a complete scene. Working collaboratively across different roles allowed us to complete the project and translate our initial concept into a finished visual sequence.

Environment Development

During weeks 6–8, I focused on building the futuristic café environment in Unreal Engine based on our group task division. This location is important because it is where the first scene of our story takes place, where the alien interacts with a human in a public space.

I began with a white box layout to block out the basic structure and scale of the café. This helped define the spatial arrangement before adding detailed assets.

Asset and Material Setup

After establishing the layout, I added environment assets and began developing the visual style of the space. The design direction was a futuristic cyberpunk-style café / pub, which fits the narrative setting of a future society.

I applied materials using Unreal Engine’s material system, connecting UV nodes and materials to ensure that textures worked correctly on different objects. Smart materials were also used to help achieve a consistent visual style across the environment.

Scene Integration

Once the environment was complete, I integrated it with the motion capture animation. I produced the first major shot of the project, showing the alien character interacting with a human inside the café as part of the test scenario.

Reflection

This stage helped me develop my workflow in Unreal Engine, from environment blockout to final scene setup. It also showed how environment design supports storytelling and character performance within the motion capture project.

Mocap Planning

During weeks 4–6, our group scheduled the motion capture sessions and began preparing the performance based on our script. We participated in two motion capture sessions to record the main actions and emotional interactions between the characters.

Roles During Mocap

During the mocap sessions, different members of the group took on specific roles.
Me and Avi worked as the mocap directors, guiding the performance and ensuring the actions followed the script and emotional beats.

Elsa and Issa performed as the mocap actors, acting out the character movements and interactions. Adarsh worked as the mocap technical operator, responsible for importing and exporting the captured motion data.

With support from the mocap and directing tutors, we also learned how to guide performers, manage the capture process, and use the mocap software and equipment correctly.

Post-Capture Workflow

After the capture sessions, we confirmed the production workflow and divided the remaining tasks:

• AVI – Model the laboratory set and compile the process video
• Adarsh – Create the MetaHuman humanoid and process mocap data in Unreal
• Vano (me) – Model the coffee shop environment
• Elsa & Issa – Animation work and importing mocap data onto the mannequin

Reflection

These sessions helped us understand both the technical and performative aspects of motion capture. Working directly with actors and equipment gave us a clearer idea of how performance translates into digital animation.

Concept Development

Project Background

During the first three weeks, our group focused on developing the concept and narrative for our motion capture project. The brief highlights the importance of combining technical motion capture skills with performance and direction, so we aimed to create a story that focuses on body language and emotional expression.

Group Collaboration

Our group consists of five members from different disciplines: three 3D animation students, one VR student, and one VFX student. Working in a multidisciplinary group allows us to approach the project from both creative and technical perspectives.

Story Development

We selected the scenario “Alien Naturalisation Programme.” We expanded the original idea into a short narrative set in the future, where humanoids try to blend into human society. Because their behaviour is still slightly robotic, they capture aliens and train them to imitate human emotions, facial expressions, and everyday actions.

The story follows one alien during this training process. At first, the alien appears to behave like a normal human in a café, but small unnatural movements reveal something is wrong. The alien is then transported back to a laboratory where humanoids analyse its behaviour and continue the training.

Reflection

We chose this concept because it offers strong opportunities to explore performance, emotion, and gesture, which are key elements of motion capture. In the next stage, we will begin preparing the performance and planning the motion capture process.

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