Michigan Film Office posts new film training by Alan Contino

from the Michigan Film Office - Education/Training posting:

http://www.michigan.gov/filmoffice/0,1607,7-248-50999-210916–,00.html

Henry Ford Community College’s Virtual Theatricality Lab offers a 12- credit course sequence that teaches the skill sets required for the film and animation industry standard of Motion Capture Systems Technician.

The certificate was developed in cooperation with Thad Johnson, owner of Critical Moves USA, Detroit’s professional Motion Capture Facility and Dan Lemieux, Hollywood stunt coordinator and Motion Capture performer.

The Motion Capture course sequence is taught by Alan Contino. Mr. Contino has been training students on various Motion Capture systems since 2003 and is currently the Chief Research Engineer at The Virtual Theatricality Lab. Mr. Contino received his training from Vicon’s House of Moves in Los Angeles, California.

The course is taught using a Vicon Optical Motion Capture System, Blade and Motion Builder Software. These are the same tools used to create Motion Capture Characters in THE POLAR EXPRESS and BEOWULF.

The first required course, Maya, Art 209 gives students the fundamental knowledge of 3D art and graphics necessary to the understanding and mastery of a Motion Capture Pipeline.

The second course in the sequence, STH 262, introduces students to the elements of Motion Capture.

The third course in the sequence, STH 263, gives students experience in facial Motion Capture. The final course, STH 264, culminates in a Motion Capture project showcasing acquired skills in a demo reel.

Interested persons should call Dr. George Popovich, Director of the Henry Ford Community College Virtual Theatricality Lab at (313) 845-6478.

More information can also be obtained at the VTL website: www.hfccvirtualtheater.org