In the field of motion capture today, Andy Serkis is undoubtedly the leading figure.
Motion capture technology was first utilized in filmmaking by James Cameron in Terminator 2, and it quickly became widespread in Hollywood productions.
Later, Gilbert directed Real Steel, which became the first film to use motion capture technology on a large scale.
This Lord of the Rings project also requires motion capture, with Andy Serkis performing Gollum's scenes in a motion capture studio.
Since the entire Lord of the Rings crew had moved to China for filming, Gilbert's VFX studio had also followed suit, setting up a branch office there.
The VFX studio established an office in Beijing and even built a temporary motion capture studio.
However, this motion capture studio was only temporary. The reason was simple—this technology was too advanced for Chinese filmmakers to utilize at the moment.
Although Lord of the Rings was being filmed in China, this was a special case.
In the future, Hollywood productions coming to China for filming would likely be very rare. Keeping a high-end VFX studio permanently in China, from a business perspective, would be a financial loss.
Without a sufficient market environment, even the most advanced technology would be useless.
Considering this, Gilbert decided to establish a branch office in Beijing while only setting up a temporary motion capture studio.
Once filming wrapped up, the motion capture studio would be dismantled, though the branch office would remain.
With Gilbert's wealth, keeping this loss-making branch wasn't a big issue for him. However, for Chinese filmmakers, this VFX studio held great significance.
At the very least, Chinese filmmakers would now have access to a local VFX company for future productions.
Additionally, the studio would inevitably hire local staff, helping to train technical talents for the Chinese film industry.
Though the impact might be limited, it was still better than nothing.
In his previous life, Gilbert had worked in the Chinese film industry, albeit as a director of online movies. But at least he had been part of the industry.
Now, with a different identity and perspective, his influence was also limited. This was as much as he could do. If he did any more, Hollywood would start questioning his true motives for coming to China.
Andy Serkis' motion capture scenes were being overseen by VFX supervisor Brian Van't Hul, who was also responsible for the visual effects of the entire trilogy.
When Gilbert arrived at the Beijing motion capture studio, Andy Serkis was already in the middle of a performance.
To showcase Hollywood's advanced technology to the Chinese film industry, Gilbert had specially invited Tian Congming, along with National Master Zhang and ten other domestic directors, to observe Andy Serkis' entire performance process.
Brian Van't Hul explained, "Our entire performance process is completed within this studio. Using the reflection markers around the set, we capture movement data.
We then process these shots in post-production, using computers to refine the visuals and ultimately integrate them into the final film."
National Master Zhang curiously asked, "How much does a full motion capture system like yours cost?"
Brian Van't Hul smiled and replied, "We use an optical motion capture system, developed jointly by our engineers and Industrial Light & Magic.
This optical motion capture system offers high precision and detail, but the downside is that it's quite expensive.
The system we're using here cost around $450,000 to develop."
Gilbert added, "That's mainly because it hasn't been widely adopted yet. There are fewer than ten of these systems worldwide, so we haven't been able to reduce development costs."
Upon hearing the price, National Master Zhang shook his head, indicating that it was impractical.
$450,000 was roughly equivalent to 3.7 million RMB—enough to finance an entire film. Yet here, it was being used just for a few scenes, some of which might not even make it into the final cut.
At this point, National Master Zhang had yet to embrace the concept of big-budget filmmaking. It wasn't until Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film that he would start venturing into large-scale productions.
It had to be acknowledged that, at least until 2008, National Master Zhang was undoubtedly the top director in China.
As for his later compromises with capital interests—everyone has their own choices, and there's no helping it.
However, dismissing his achievements due to his later decisions would be unfair. People are multifaceted, and at the very least, his early contributions to Chinese cinema were significant.
Tian Congming, on the other hand, was focused on another issue. "I heard that once you finish filming, you're planning to dismantle the motion capture studio?"
Gilbert nodded. "Yes. Given the current state of the Chinese film market, this technology is simply too advanced for local productions."
Tian Congming found this statement a bit harsh, but he also knew it was the truth.
He asked, "If China Film Group wants to purchase this system, would you be willing to sell it?"
Seeing Gilbert's skeptical expression, Tian Congming quickly added, "We would also hire professional experts to serve as technical advisors and help us master this technology."
Gilbert shook his head. "Tian, have you considered that this system is incredibly expensive? Every time it's activated for filming, the costs are astronomical. Very few Chinese film productions would be able to afford it.
To make practical use of this technology, the Chinese film industry would need at least another ten to fifteen years of development to reach the necessary level."
"I understand, but…" Tian Congming remained resolute. "I still want to give it a try. If we can keep this system in China, profitability isn't the main concern—it's about providing inspiration and opportunities for domestic filmmakers."
It had to be said that Tian Congming was one of the few pragmatic and forward-thinking leaders within China's state-run film institutions.
In 1994, he spearheaded the market-oriented reform of the Chinese film industry. Now, nearly five years later, the domestic market was starting to show signs of prosperity, and Tian Congming had played a pivotal role in that progress.
He had been instrumental in securing The Lord of the Rings as a Hollywood project to be filmed in China. Now, he was attempting to retain cutting-edge technology to promote the industrialization of Chinese cinema.
However, as Gilbert had pointed out, China's film industry was still in its infancy—comparable to a toddler just learning to walk.
Industrialization? At best, Chinese cinema was still at the workshop stage—more like a traditional, manually operated workshop without any machinery.
Jumping too quickly to high-end technology was like trying to run before learning to walk—it simply wouldn't work.
That was one reason. Another reason was that even in Hollywood, motion capture was still an emerging technology.
Such an advanced technology was considered new even in Hollywood, let alone in China.
This, in essence, was the core nature of Hollywood—one of its most cutting-edge technologies. If Gilbert casually sold it to Chinese filmmakers, it would cause some trouble if word got out.
After all, motion capture wasn't just useful for filmmaking. It also had applications in automation research, rehabilitation therapy, and other fields.
This kind of technology was classified as sensitive, and the policymakers in Washington had restrictions on its export.
The reason they hadn't stopped Gilbert from setting up a temporary motion capture studio in China was probably because they considered him an insider—someone who wouldn't share the technical details with the Chinese.
Besides, even if they did get access to the technology, what could they do with it? Given China's technological level, it would take at least another decade to fully understand it. By then, the equipment would be obsolete, and newer generations of the technology would have already replaced it.
Of course, restrictions were still necessary.
So, Gilbert had no choice but to regretfully refuse Tian Congming's request. "I'm sorry, Tian. It's not that I don't want to, but this technology is highly advanced and falls under restricted exports.
Once filming is completed, we will have to dismantle it."
Tian Congming was disappointed but didn't blame Gilbert. He understood that Gilbert had already done as much as he could.
It could be said that it was nearly impossible to find another Hollywood figure of Gilbert's status who was as friendly to Chinese filmmakers as he was.
"That's alright, Gilbert. I was just asking. If there are difficulties, I won't push any further," Tian Congming said.
The dozen or so directors who had followed him overheard their conversation. When the negotiation fell through, they also felt a sense of regret.
They looked at Andy Serkis performing inside the studio, clad in high-tech motion capture gear—it was truly something to be envious of.
Gilbert thought for a moment, then, putting on an aloof demeanor, said, "You can come by to observe when you have time. Just remember—no photos, no notes, and don't touch anything.
If anything breaks, you won't be able to afford to compensate for it."
Tian Congming sensed a deeper meaning in Gilbert's words, almost as if he was hinting at something.
He glanced at Brian Van't Hul, thinking to himself that it was fortunate this man didn't understand Chinese. Otherwise, such a hint might have put Gilbert at risk.
Understanding the implication, Tian Congming immediately expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Gilbert. We promise—no photos, no notes, and we won't damage anything."
"Hmm…" Gilbert gave Tian Congming a meaningful look, and the two reached a tacit understanding.
After that, whenever he had time, Tian Congming would bring along a group of elderly men, mostly in their sixties or seventies, to visit. Occasionally, some energetic middle-aged men in their thirties and forties would join them.
These individuals claimed to be staff from China Film Group, but judging by their detailed analysis and curiosity about the technology, Gilbert knew they weren't just ordinary film professionals.
It was clear they were high-level experts from certain academic institutions—leaders in their fields.
With such individuals analyzing the system, the motion capture technology was being thoroughly studied from top to bottom.
Unfortunately, since the equipment was still in use, they couldn't disassemble it. Otherwise, they could have examined it even more closely.
But Gilbert had already made arrangements—once filming concluded, this equipment would mysteriously "break down."
A broken system wouldn't yield much in terms of research. It would simply be discarded as scrap.
Tian Congming understood—this was the opportunity Gilbert was offering them, and they needed to seize it.
Suddenly, Tian Congming recalled a peculiar group from decades ago—people who had willingly served the Japanese and were called "rare breeds."
So, did that mean Gilbert's actions made him an "American traitor"?
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