The Technology Behind the Phenomenal Success of "Hot": How Motion Capture Creates Screen Miracles

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2025 Apr. 01

On April 3rd, the film Raging Heart will return with fiery passion, reigniting the fervor of street dance! As a sports film dedicated to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the movie conveys China's street dance culture through the dream-chasing journey of a young dancer. While achieving a box office success of 913 million yuan, it has also garnered over 10 domestic and international accolades, including the Best Cinematography Award at the 37th China Golden Rooster Awards, the Jury Special Award at the 2024 BRICS Film Festival, and the Outstanding Feature Film Award at the Zhejiang Phoenix Film Awards.

Jury Commentary for the Golden Rooster Best Cinematography Award:

Raging Heart's cinematography masterfully employs lighting to create a visually stunning presentation, capturing dynamic details with precision. The seamless integration of camera transitions and dance rhythms forms a unique aesthetic, blending artistry to build immersive atmospheres. By merging inherent light sources with environments, it enhances spatial depth and enriches character portrayal, making the narrative profoundly moving.

True to its title, Raging Heart's visuals are intensely immersive, evoking exhilaration and presence. This achievement stems not only from the cinematographer's superb technical skills but also from the integration of digital technology + motion capture technology. Leveraging motion capture, the production ensured fluidity and realism while significantly reducing costs associated with live-action shooting.

To achieve both meticulous authenticity and maximum visual impact in the holistic presentation.Shanghai Jinglang Culture Media collaborated with the Digital Entertainment Center of Shanghai Film Arts Academy to develop digital virtual human + motion capture technologies. Utilizing CHINGMU's optical motion capture system, they recorded real-life movements such as jumps, waves, and cheers. These data were rendered in real-time via virtual engines to drive 3D character models, creating lifelike "audience" figures. Combined with crowd animation, the scenes depict high-definition, fluid imagery of a packed venue with cheering spectators waving glow sticks.

Motion capture technology is now widely applied in film, animation, and game production. Iconic works like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Lord of the Rings utilized motion capture to craft memorable characters. Blockbusters such as Avatar, Ne Zha, and AAA games like Black Myth: Wukong further popularized this technology, showcasing its innovation and allure.

CHINGMU Optical Motion Capture System: Collaboration Highlights

High-quality productions demand rigorous motion capture systems, requiring extreme precision, ultra-low latency, and adaptability to diverse scenarios. CHINGMU's optical motion capture system excels with sub-millimeter accuracy, millimeter-level latency, and robustness. It captures human bodies, rigid/soft objects, fingers, and quadrupeds, ensuring precise data and realistic character/scene rendering. Additionally, the NÜWA—Premium Animation Production Solution offers globally leading motion capture systems and full-pipeline services, supporting top-tier creations in film, animation, and games.

From the lifelike "audiences" in Raging Heart to the technical backbone of classic films, CHINGMU's optical motion capture system shines in visual creation. It not only empowers creative visions but also drives industry innovation toward higher quality and originality. Moving forward, we will continue to upgrade our technology and services, delivering excellence to clients and opening new chapters in visual storytelling!