Actors who want to work in games: I get asked 'how?' a lot. Many think they need to be 'trained' in motion capture first. This is not true. We look for the right actor or actress for the role. Just like everything else.
I'm more often than not working with actors who've not been in a mocap studio before and it has never ever caused a problem.
However, it's often the case that actors who do theatre land the roles, by virtue of being familiar with being a little more expressive physically and facially. Animation requires this. It doesn't require exaggeration though.
Of course, this is a generalisation. Screen actors also land the roles when they're comfortable with this too.
It is always best to be fully off-book for a game mocap audition. As the character won't be holding a script (probably). So that way, the clients can see your full, unhindered physical performance.
For a mocap audition, you will be most likely asked to perform the scene fully, on your feet, playing out stage directions etc. It's a good idea to come dressed close to the character art if you've been sent it.
Actors: a few thoughts regarding games acting. Thread. Firstly, it’s a great industry to get into if you’re not already & it’s continued to thrive through lockdown. I’ve been lucky to direct hundreds of games and it’s seeing me through this tough time. Maybe it can you, too.
Performance capture shoots are fewer during Covid. However, voice recording is busy. Many actors ask me how to get a voice agent: this is tough, as many don’t want anyone extra just now, but it’s also important to put a reel on @SpotlightUK (UK based).
Casting for games is very very fast: clients (ie games developers) often send a brief to an Outsourcer (studios who specialise in games and bring the ‘talent’ on board, ie you and me) or to the CD, fairly close to the date they want to start auditions.
Actors: I’ve held a lot of auditions over zoom during lockdown, in UK & US. A few subjective observations I thought might be useful to share since this may become a new normal... Again, these are only my opinion!
Thread. RT if handy.
1. Generally, I’d say it’s helpful to use the lens as the eyeline. I feel more able to connect to your performance that way. If you take the eyeline away, it very quickly can become an audition with a marvellous view of the top of your head, or an ear...
2. It’s really helpful if you’re not holding the lens: handheld self-shoots aren’t that easy to watch with all the jiggling around! If you are using your phone for the zoom, make sure it’s securely propped up in front of you and leaves you free to be marvellous...
Actors.. Please add a voice reel to your spotlight page: I’m casting a game VO that the clients want clips only for, & if you’ve no voice clips, I can’t send you up for it, no matter how interesting your cv!
NB I don’t mean a games reel. Just need to hear good performance
Also, to qualify, I do check the VO agents sites and the reels there too. But not everyone has a VO agent, so best to pop reel on spotlight. I’d add it there, even if you do have a VO agent as well.
Tonight I met a brilliant young woman. I wish she could see this tweet. Another woman fell off her scooter on Oxford Street, suffering a serious head injury. Many of us tried to help. The injured woman was delirious, trying to walk away, with blood pouring from her head.
We couldn't get the lady to stay still. But this young woman eventually managed to, taking the bleeding lady in her arms & bringing her to sit with her. She gave up her sweatshirt to stem the flow. She talked calmly and frankly to her. The ambulance took 20 mins to arrive.
That was a long 20 minutes of us having to coerce and manually make the lady stay with us. Other young women helped bring her scooter and rucksacks over. Young men called the ambulance and got advice. We tried to take the steps they advised & stem the flow.