William speaks again...

MOTEK uses a new real-time facial motion capture system from Image-Metrics
for a pilot shoot of Shakespeare’s Sonnets.

March 2003, Amsterdam – MOTEK Studios and U.K. based Image-Metrics have completed an animated pilot production of Shakespeare’s Sonnets using RealFACE™ a new, real time facial motion capture system. Developed by Image-Metrics, the system utilizes its Optasia™ technology, for real time statistical shape modeling video based capture, a customized helmet with miniature video camera and a plug-in for 3D packages. The new initiative, presented by MOTEK, uses Image-Metrics Optasia™ technology for real time video based capture of 67 tracked points on a human face. The video data is grabbed directly from a video camera, rigged to a head-mounted camera, into Optasia™, which in its turn, tracks pre-defined face features and points. The real time tracking enables data stream to 3D packages, for real-time visualization and rendering.

The new system was recently used in a pilot production of Shakespeare’s sonnets. A performer is fitted with a full body motion-capture suit, a pair of Cyber gloves for fingers animation and the new device. All data was recorded in one take.

In the final production the author himself will perform every one of the 154 Shakespeare sonnets. MOTEK is building a virtual Shakespeare based on surviving paintings of the playwright. The RealFACE™ facial motion capture system enables the actor to express the emotion of the words and create a realistic portrayal of the real Shakespeare reading his own words.

About Image Metrics

Image Metrics was founded in 2000 by a team of PhD computer vision scientists from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. With over 30 years of computer vision expertise the founders represent one of the strongest technical teams of any commercial organization providing computer vision solutions.

Image Metrics has developed a proprietary model-based computer vision platform, Optasia™, which automates the extraction of information from images and video. Replacing a whole class of image analysis and image processing technologies, Optasia represents the world’s first true Image Understanding platform. Image Metrics’ Optasia software modules deliver world-class image understanding solutions in through three dedicated business units in Media, Medical and Security. In partnership with leading global OEMs, systems integrators and governments, Image Metrics enabling technology is already embedded in thousands of hardware and software systems worldwide. Image Metrics received seed equity investment in November 2000 from Axiomlab and Acorn Capital Partners. Since then, the company has rapidly added strength to the management team, developed and launched Optasia and secured several significant six figure contracts with leading Channel Partners in target markets. A first institutional round of venture capital was raised in June 2002 from Mitsubishi Capital Europe, Close Brothers and Saffron Hill.

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