Keeping pace with industrial trends and deepening university‑enterprise cooperation, the Innovation Application Forum on Motion Capture and Virtual Production themed "Virtual‑Real Interaction, Pioneering the Future" was hosted by the School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China on November 25, 2023. More than one hundred participants including university teachers and industry elites from across the country attended the forum.

Co‑hosted by Shanghai CHINGMU Vision Technology Co., Ltd. and the School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China, this forum was undertaken by the Department of Digital Media Art, Department of New Media Art and VR/AR/MR Laboratory of the School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China. It received academic support from the Digital Art and Animation Special Committee of China University Film and Television Association, the Digital Visual Design and Presentation Special Committee of China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, as well as strong support from China Industry‑Education Integration Community for Image and Media Industry and Youhu Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Focusing on Motion Capture Technology to Boost Industry‑University‑Research Development

At the forum, Associate Professor Song Ge, Director of the Department of Digital Media Art, School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China, emphasized that the School of Animation and Digital Arts has long been committed to cultivating high‑end talents for digital imagery and keeping close attention to cutting‑edge film and television technologies. Motion capture technology has been widely adopted in creative practices of various majors including Digital Media Art, New Media Art, Animation and Game Design within the school. A growing number of teachers and students are experimenting with virtual production not only for graduation projects, but also for regular course assignments.

Song Ge Associate Professor, Director of the Department of Digital Media Art School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China

Wang Ye, Head of the Department of New Media Art, School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China, delivered a speech titled Impacts of Motion Capture on Body Perception and Digital Performance. Wang Ye reviewed the development history of motion capture technology, highlighted its continuous evolution in the digital media field, and elaborated in depth on how motion capture reshapes people’s perception of human bodies.

Wang Ye Head of the Department of New Media Art School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China

Hu Shihao, National Sales Director of CHINGMU, gave a presentation themed Innovative Applications of Motion Capture in the Digital Entertainment Sector. He illustrated the differences, advantages and disadvantages between inertial motion capture and optical motion capture, and introduced product features of CHINGMU.

Hu Shihao National Sales Director of CHINGMU

Hu Shihao pointed out that optical motion capture represented by CHINGMU features five major strengths including high precision, flexible site adaptation and multi‑performer capture, with extensive application scenarios covering film‑television animation, game development, XR virtual production, digital‑human live‑streaming and large‑scale VR virtual reality. Up to now, relevant successful cases include numerous domestic anime series, theatrical feature films and hit games, demonstrating motion capture’s vital role in improving production efficiency and retaining realistic human movements.

Yu Qiubei Person‑in‑Charge of Technical Service Department, Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis

Yu Qiubei, Person‑in‑Charge of Technical Service Department, Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis, delivered a speech entitled Application Cases of Motion Capture and Virtual Production. He stressed the significance of university‑enterprise cooperation, hoping to nurture more outstanding talents through collaboration with universities so as to contribute to the sustainable development of the film and television industry.

Virtual Production: Inheriting Past Achievements and Leading Industrial Trends

Professor Zhang Gedong from the School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China, Executive Deputy Director of Digital Art and Animation Special Committee of China University Film and Television Association, Director of Digital Design and Presentation Special Committee of China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, reviewed the origins of virtual production. He noted that virtual studio technology, which emerged in TV production at the end of last century, not only enhanced TV program production efficiency but also brought more creative possibilities. Motion capture and virtual production technologies have ushered in a brand‑new era for digital imagery, and we should fully embrace this new era and new technologies.

Zhang Gedong Professor, School of Animation and Digital Arts, Communication University of China Executive Deputy Director, Digital Art and Animation Special Committee of China University Film and Television Association Director, Digital Design and Presentation Special Committee of China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

Professor Chen Jun, Dean of the Department of Film and Television Technology, Beijing Film Academy, Director of Advanced Imaging Special Committee of China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, delivered a speech on Development Trends of Film and Television Virtual Production. Professor Chen illustrated LED‑based virtual film production from perspectives of production workflow, team division of labor, as well as two core game engines and digital assets for virtual production. He also shared the current status and development trends of AI‑empowered film production.

Chen Jun Dean of the Department of Film and Television Technology, Beijing Film Academy Director, Advanced Imaging Special Committee of China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

He Wei, Executive Dean of Metaverse Cloud Atlas Intelligent Research Institute, Beijing University of Technology, Review Expert of National Metaverse Standardization Working Group, Chairman of Beijing Xinghan Yuntu Culture & Technology Co., Ltd., shared insights in the report Multimodal Interaction Technology and AIGC‑powered Collaborative Digital Creation for Film and Television. He discussed three generations of film technologies, highlighted the unique strengths of third‑generation film technology in creating visual spectacles, and expounded the importance of multimodal fusion interaction technology.

He Wei Executive Dean of Metaverse Cloud Atlas Intelligent Research Institute, Beijing University of Technology Review Expert of National Metaverse Standardization Working Group Chairman, Beijing Xinghan Yuntu Culture & Technology Co., Ltd.

Zhang Xin, CEO & Partner of Shanghai Youhu Technology Co., Ltd., gave a speech titled Virtual Reality Technology Applications of Unreal Engine, discussing the importance and necessity of Unreal Engine in virtual reality technical applications.

Zhang Xin CEO & Partner, Shanghai Youhu Technology Co., Ltd.

Sun Wen, XR Virtual Production Consultant of Starlight Film‑TV Park, Director of Virtual Production at BlueFocus Dalan, delivered a keynote speech Applications of Virtual Production in Film‑grade Commercial Advertisements.

Sun Wen XR Virtual Production Consultant of Starlight Film‑TV Park Director of Virtual Production at BlueFocus Dalan

Sun Wen gave a comprehensive introduction to XR virtual shooting in film‑television scenarios, demonstrated virtual production workflows with real shooting behind‑the‑scene materials, and showcased selected virtual shooting works from Starlight Film‑TV Park.

Virtual‑Real Interaction, Pioneering the Future: Immersive Experience of Motion Capture System

Following the forum, CHINGMU invited all attendees to visit its self‑developed motion capture system for deeper understanding of applicable scenarios and functional features. Participants took photos inside the motion‑capture studio, put on motion‑capture equipment and experienced real‑time interaction with virtual avatars. Attendees spoke highly of CHINGMU’s well‑developed hardware devices and system solutions.

Further Deepening University‑Enterprise Cooperation and Boosting Industry‑Education Integration. As motion capture and digital‑human technologies keep maturing, higher vocational education can better align with industrial demands, enabling broader teaching explorations in film & TV production, game development, animation creation and new‑type talent training for performers. As a leading domestic enterprise in motion capture, CHINGMU will actively build platforms for exchanges and cooperation with universities. Apart from providing technologies, equipment and application guidance, CHINGMU will offer support for industry‑education integration, art‑technology integration and industry‑university‑research development according to actual developmental needs of academic institutions.