Previsualization
In the realm of animation and video game design, there's always room for passion projects, and "Harley & Joker" certainly exemplifies that. As an ambitious endeavor undertaken purely for personal satisfaction, the creation of this sample previsualization (previz) video represented a harmonious fusion of technology and creativity. The ultimate goal was not profit or business promotion, but rather the production of a highly polished, fan-art-style showcase. The final output—a captivating previz video featuring pop icon Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix as Joker—is a testament to the possibilities of digital creation and my dedication to mastering various forms of software.
Previz
Crafting Characters with Reallusion's Character Creator 4 and iClone 8
When it came to designing the project's central characters, Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, I turned to Reallusion's Character Creator 4 and iClone 8. These two software suites allow for the creation of high-quality, custom-tailored characters and the animation of those characters in real-time 3D.
In the case of Harley Quinn, my goal was to combine Lady Gaga's distinctive style with the unmistakable persona of the popular DC character. Using Character Creator 4, I carefully shaped the character's facial features, body shape, and outfit, keeping a keen eye on the smallest details to ensure a realistic depiction.
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Joker
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Harley Quinn
For Joker, I aimed to capture the unique essence of Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal. Drawing from an array of visual resources, I used Character Creator 4 to mold the Joker's grim smile, haunting gaze, and eccentric attire, thus merging the Academy Award-winning actor's likeness with the iconic comic book villain.
Subsequently, I imported these meticulously designed models into iClone 8, which was essential for creating high-quality, professional-grade animations. iClone's powerful tools allowed me to breathe life into Harley and Joker, assigning them with the movements, expressions, and actions that would play out in the video.
The Xsens Motion Capture Advantage
A project like Harley & Joker thrives on realistic character animation, and to achieve this level of realism, I employed the Xsens MVN Animate Motion Capture System, using their accessible Awinda Starter Kit. Xsens is renowned for its top-tier motion capture technology, offering an innovative, inertial-based system that perfectly suited the needs of this project.
With the Awinda Starter Kit, I was able to capture a wide range of movements in real-time, translating them directly into the digital realm. This technology provided me with the flexibility to capture complex action sequences and nuanced character mannerisms in a controlled environment. The captured motion data was then applied to the character models of Harley and Joker within iClone, resulting in incredibly lifelike animations.
Joker running down dark alley mocap.
Harley dancing in dark alley mocap.
Every grimace, laugh, gesture, and fight sequence in the Harley & Joker video stems from real movements captured using the Xsens system. The ability to utilize this form of advanced motion capture technology added an authentic layer to the project, making the characters appear even more real and relatable.
In Conclusion
In every facet of the Harley & Joker project, there was a constant drive to push boundaries and explore the true capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.1, Reallusion's Character Creator 4, iClone 8, and Xsens motion capture technology. The outcome is a testament to the potential of modern digital creation tools and the limitless bounds of imagination when paired with technical skill and a passion for storytelling. This project is a prime example of what can be achieved when creativity meets technology, and I am immensely proud to present it as part of my portfolio.
