Mova develops new digital facial animation technology
San Francisco-based Mova introduces its Contour system, a new method for generating high-fidelity 3D facial models for film and game production.
Mova has developed a system called Contour, which aims to improve the realism of digital characters in video games and movies. The process utilizes fluorescent makeup and a 44-camera array to capture facial movements, which are then synthesized into a 3D wireframe model. This approach is intended to replace traditional motion capture, which often requires significant manual touch-up work to replicate subtle human expressions.
Founder Steve Perlman argues that the technology allows animators to bypass the 'uncanny valley'—the phenomenon where digital characters feel unnatural due to slight imperfections in movement. By capturing data at a precision of one-tenth of a millimeter, the system significantly reduces both production costs and the time required to develop lifelike models compared to standard industry practices.
Early adoption by game developers and film directors suggests a strong industry demand for more efficient, high-quality animation tools. Looking forward, the company expects the technology to become increasingly accessible, eventually enabling consumers to generate their own high-fidelity digital animations.