Fuzzy Door Tech, the recently launched technology division of Seth MacFarlane’s production company Fuzzy Door, today shared a behind-the-scenes look at how its ViewScreen real-time production solutions helped deliver the Ted prequel series, which premieres on Peacock today (January 11).
Ted marks the first show to film an animated lead character in real time alongside other actors with ViewScreen. The technology had a significant impact on the production, from allowing the entire crew to see Ted in real time while filming, to capturing MacFarlane’s performance so he could act as Ted while simultaneously directing.
“ViewScreen Studio was critical for planning shots and how the team approached filming. It allowed them to visualize the digital asset in real time and treat Ted like any other actor or live-action element,” said Faith Sedlin, President of Fuzzy Door Tech. “By removing the guesswork, ViewScreen transformed the creative process which resulted in a faster turnaround time.”
Making the Invisible Visible
ViewScreen enables filmmakers to effortlessly integrate digital assets into their shots — making the invisible visible, a help to the whole crew. On Ted, the ability to see the bear in real time helped everyone working on the project understand the story and capture the right shots faster.
“Filming with VFX components can be challenging because an essential part of the scene is left to the crew’s imagination,” noted Brandon Fayette, Chief Product Officer of Fuzzy Door Tech. “On Ted, using ViewScreen meant that everyone could see the composited scene, including the digital bear, in video village in real time.”
ViewScreen helped MacFarlane guide the actors to deliver their best performance because he could offer creative feedback based on a composited scene. Camera operators didn’t have to rely on eyeline tools or a stuffed bear placed in the scene to estimate Ted’s position. Using these techniques is especially difficult when trying to capture shots where Ted is moving. ViewScreen let the camera operators see the complete scene, with Ted in their viewfinder, so they could frame shots more easily.
Capturing Real-Time Performance without MoCap
MacFarlane had multiple roles during the production of Ted. He was the co-showrunner and director, plus he had the added responsibility of acting as Ted. ViewScreen was a critical tool that he used to capture his real-time performance without a motion-capture suit, freeing him to move without constraints. ViewScreen captured his facial expressions — without the need to leave his monitors — so he could continue to direct scenes and watch the action. Overall, the process saved MacFarlane time and allowed the crew to capture the right shots in fewer takes.
“We did the motion capture work in real time on set, which we did on the films as well, but it’s now a lot easier with ViewScreen Studio,” explains MacFarlane. “You can do motion capture work without having to wear a large mocap suit all day, which can be distracting and inhibiting when you’re also trying to act and direct. In the space of just 10 years, it made it a significantly different experience when shooting the show.”
Ted is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, Fuzzy Door and MRC.
Learn more about the ViewScreen product line at viewscreen.com.
