Stuntvis in Virtual Production

Stuntvis is a Action Design / Stuntvis term in filmmaking. In virtual production, the nuances of this term take on special meaning. Here, we break down the definition to give you a starting point.

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Basic Definition:

What is Stuntvis in virtual production?

Stuntvis is an innovative form of techvis (technical visualization) that uses 3D assets and physical simulation to plan live-action stunts. It is also known as Action design and has become a crucial component of the production process for many types of films, from large action blockbusters to smaller character-driven stories. 

A typical stuntvis workflow involves multiple people who must collaborate closely to create efficient and safe plans. This includes directors, stunt coordinators, art directors, CGI artists, motion graphics specialists, digital stunt performers, riggers, animators, and even special effects supervisors. All of these roles have specific responsibilities when it comes to planning out a stunt or series of stunts within a project. For example, stunt coordinators are responsible for creating safety plans, while art directors decide on locations and overall look of the film's stunts.

The benefits of using stuntvis include cost savings in both time and money. With a well-executed stuntvis plan, filmmakers can drastically reduce their budget by avoiding costly mistakes such as set overhangs or unnecessary pyrotechnic effects. Additionally, stuntvis enables filmmakers to accurately simulate complex movements and environments without risking injuries to actors or crew members. Moreover, stuntvis helps make sure that stunt work will appear realistic and convincing onscreen.

When it comes to best practices for stuntvis, accuracy is paramount. A good way to ensure accuracy is through prototyping. This means starting with low-fidelity models before progressing to higher quality ones in order to save time and resources during pre-visualization stages. Additionally, it’s important to allow enough time for testing simulations before shooting so that any problems can be identified beforehand and corrected if needed. Lastly, having a dedicated stunt coordinator present throughout all steps of the process is essential for maintaining safety protocols. 

For virtual productions where most or all stunts are done digitally rather than with physical performers, experts known as the digital stunt double coordinators come into play. They coordinate the use of motion capture technology and other visual effects tools such as physics engines to bring digital characters to life realistically. The goal is to replicate real-world movement and behavior in a virtual environment which requires extensive knowledge.