Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists
Encyclopedia
Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists (2000) is the first feature length CGI film created exclusively using motion capture
. While many animators worked on the project, the human characters were entirely animated using motion capture. At a reported US$30 million, Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists is reported to be the most expensive direct-to-video movie ever shot. It was filmed at Raliegh Studios in Los Angeles
, over a three-month period in 1997.
Along with Pandavas: The Five Warriors (also from 2000), this was one of the first computer-graphics-based features made in India. The Pentamedia
company was behind both of these productions.
) "discovers a mysterious island ruled by King Akron (voiced by John Rhys-Davies
) and his daughter, Princess Serena (voiced by Jennifer Hale
)". Threatened by the powerful wizard Baraka (voiced by Leonard Nimoy
), Serena asks for his help in creating a spell that "will conquer Baraka once and for all".
process". The film used different actors for the motion caption of the main characters based on their particular size and body shape, as well as another set of actors for the facial movements. A couple of hundred animators in Madras, India, worked on the animation, as well as a smaller group in Los Angeles.
Produced by Pentamedia Graphics and Improvision
with assistance of Pentafour Software and Madras. It was purchased by Trimark Pictures for television distribution and had a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The motion capture technology was provided by the House of Moves Motion Capture Studios in Los Angeles.
Motion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
. While many animators worked on the project, the human characters were entirely animated using motion capture. At a reported US$30 million, Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists is reported to be the most expensive direct-to-video movie ever shot. It was filmed at Raliegh Studios in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, over a three-month period in 1997.
Along with Pandavas: The Five Warriors (also from 2000), this was one of the first computer-graphics-based features made in India. The Pentamedia
Pentamedia
Pentamedia Graphics Limited is a graphics, multimedia solution and animation company in India. The company is engaged in enterprise as well as open source multimedia solution....
company was behind both of these productions.
Synopsis
Sinbad (voiced by Brendan FraserBrendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
) "discovers a mysterious island ruled by King Akron (voiced by John Rhys-Davies
John Rhys-Davies
John Rhys-Davies is a Welsh actor and voice actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the charismatic Arab excavator Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
) and his daughter, Princess Serena (voiced by Jennifer Hale
Jennifer Hale
Jennifer Hale is a Canadian-born American actress and singer best known for her voice over work in video games like Grandia II, the Mass Effect trilogy, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Tales of Symphonia, the Metroid Prime trilogy, the Metal Gear Solid games, Brütal Legend, and Disney's...
)". Threatened by the powerful wizard Baraka (voiced by Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
), Serena asks for his help in creating a spell that "will conquer Baraka once and for all".
Production
Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists was billed as "the first full-length animated feature using the 3-D animated motion captureMotion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
process". The film used different actors for the motion caption of the main characters based on their particular size and body shape, as well as another set of actors for the facial movements. A couple of hundred animators in Madras, India, worked on the animation, as well as a smaller group in Los Angeles.
Produced by Pentamedia Graphics and Improvision
Improvision
Improvision is a software developer based in Coventry, England. The company is the developer of Confocal, live cell imaging solutions and image analysis software for 2D, 3D and 4D imaging....
with assistance of Pentafour Software and Madras. It was purchased by Trimark Pictures for television distribution and had a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The motion capture technology was provided by the House of Moves Motion Capture Studios in Los Angeles.