Match-move Artists

What does a match-move artist do?

Match-move artists match computer-generated (CG) scenes with shots from live-action
footage therefore the two may be convincingly combined.

They recreate live-action backgrounds (plates) on a computer in a very way that mirrors the
camera on the set in every way, including lens distortion. they are doing this by tracking the
camera movements to form sure the important and virtual scenes appear from the identical
perspective.

Sometimes match-move artists attend the film set to require measurements and put up
tracking markers. Then they use these markers to trace the camera movement and figure out
the relevant coordinates within the 3D scene. they are doing this using 3D tracking programs
like Maya or 3DEqualizer.

What's a match-move artist good at?

Maths and physics: understand camera motion in virtual 3D space and the way to accurately
model it to reconstruct a scene.

Understanding of virtual 3D camera principles: fathom filming techniques and lenses,

including the principles of distortion, parallax and over scan.
Software knowledge: be skilled at employing a kind of relevant tracking and 3D packages
and compositing software.

Eye for detail: be methodical and highly accurate in your work, paying closing attention to
detail and have strong problem-solving skills.

Communication: communicate well with the VFX departments about schedules and also the
on-set team filming the shoot.

Who does a match-move artist work with?

Match-move artists work with the info capture technicians and therefore the live-action
production crew to line up markers on set. Match-move artists’ work is passed on to layout
artists, who consider the framing, composition and point of view of every VFX shot.

Match-move artists also do body and object tracking, using markers to recreate the
movements of individuals, vehicles or other objects in CG. The motion files created (camera,
object or body track) are then passed on to other departments via the VFX pipeline, so that,
eventually, they will be seamlessly combined by the compositor.

Match-move artists are highly accurate and meticulous in their work. It must be pixel perfect,
so that they need a watch for detail. If the CG and live-action movements don't seem to be
lining up perfectly, they need to search out the way to mend this.