MPC, a VFX and animation studio, is tasked with bringing Disney characters and the African savanna to life in the movie Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel to The Lion King.
Fusion of Art and Advanced Technology
Under the direction of Barry Jenkins, MPC combines art and cutting-edge technology to capture the emotional essence of the story, taking animation to new heights.
A Global Team of Artists and Technologists
MPC's team, consisting of more than 1,700 artists and technologists distributed across four continents, has worked remotely from various locations such as London, New York, and Los Angeles.
- Virtual Production: They use innovative tools like virtual production and motion capture.
- Remote Collaboration: Thanks to virtual reality (VR), the team navigates digital environments and transfers actors' movements to digital animals.
Motion Capture and Real-Time Direction
Adam Valdez, Visual Effects Supervisor (VFX), explains that motion capture maps actors' movements to digital characters, allowing Jenkins to direct performances in real time.
“Motion capture allows actors' movements to be integrated into digital characters, giving Barry Jenkins the ability to direct in real time” – Adam Valdez, VFX Supervisor.
Innovation in Animals and Environments
Photorealistic Animals
MPC has created more than 118 photorealistic animals, with impressive precision in anatomical details, using their proprietary fur system Loma, which simulates natural effects like wind and water.
Detailed African Savanna Environments
The environment artists have recreated African landscapes such as plains, canyons, and jungles through photogrammetry and manual sculpting, capturing every detail.
- Photogrammetry: Technique used to capture landscape details.
- Manual Sculpting: Artists sculpt elements by hand to ensure a realistic recreation.
An Unprecedented Digital World
The result is a digital world spanning 107 square miles, allowing characters and landscapes to come to life with unparalleled realism.
MPC demonstrates once again how technology can take animation to a completely new level, fusing art and science to tell unforgettable stories.