The #1 iPhone Mocap Helmet

The M2 Headcam from MOCAP Design

The M2 Headcam is a facial motion capture helmet rig for the iPhone, designed for recording stable video footage of an actor’s face during their performance.

This production-ready hardware solution is used in a wide variety of entertainment and visual effects applications, and provides a key element in the facial performance capture pipeline.

What is facial performance capture?

Facial performance capture is the process of recording video of an actor’s face throughout their performance for use in a visual effects or digital animation pipeline. The facial performance video is then submitted to a digital tracking algorithm, where the video information is transformed into a digital wireframe “mask” that moves exactly like the actor’s face. The goal of this digital process is to transfer the motion and emotive likeness of the original actor’s performance onto a digital character model, so that the digital character’s face moves exactly like the original actor’s face. This process of extracting the motion and emotive likeness (but not the actual physical appearance) from the original performance is known as retargeting.

The facial video recording typically takes place when an actor is also giving a body movement performance (a traditional “stage acting” performance), so that their body movement can be simultaneously recorded using an inertial motion capture body suit, or alternatively an optical motion capture solution using a configuration of infrared cameras trained on the actor.

The M2 Headcam in action, on a facial performance capture production session for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

While a theatrical actor is commonly used to provide a facial performance as well as a body performance, it’s also possible to capture a facial performance during a voiceover ADR session, where a voice actor not only delivers an audio performance but simultaneously provides the facial emotive element as well.

When combined, facial performance capture and body movement motion capture are known as full body motion capture or full body mocap. Sometimes the facial performance capture is done at the same time and in-sync with the body movement motion capture, but it is also possible to separate the facial performance from the body performance and then combine them later with timecode and syncing data. These components can even be supplied by different actors — one actor delivers the emotive facial performance, and another delivers the body movement performance — and then the two are combined together to animate a digital character.

How does the M2 Headcam fit into the facial performance capture pipeline?

The M2 Headcam holds a camera steady in front of an actor’s face during their performance, regardless of whatever motion and movements the actor makes. The alternative to using a helmet-mounted camera — keeping the actor perfectly still in front of a stationary camera — is impractical and will result in an unnatural performance.

What camera can I use for facial motion capture?

The M2 Headcam has a ball-joint camera mount, which accepts a variety of camera cases available for the iPhone, GoPro, or Intel RealSense cameras.

If you want to use a different type of camera, our design team can create a custom case to fit your camera. For more information about custom solutions, contact support@mocapdesign.com

How is it made?

The M2 Headcam is manufactured using components which are 3D Printed in a strong and durable ABS Plastic material. Most consumer products are made using traditional manufacturing processes, such as injection molding — traditional manufacturing processes commonly have long lead-times required to produce a large batch of goods in one cycle, which can result in inventory delays and gaps in product availability.

The M2 Headcam broken down into its individual component pieces.

Another benefit that 3D Printing brings to the table is the ability to always have product in-stock — you’ll never suffer shipping delays due to gaps in inventory related to traditionally longer manufacturing lead-times.

Is it durable enough to be used in a production setting?

Products made from 3D Printed ABS Plastic are strong, and the M2 Headcam holds up incredibly well to the various stresses associated with repeated mechanical use in a performance setting.

The M2 Headcam is durable motion capture helmet, and does not require delicate handling — out of the box, the equipment is production-ready.

How much does it weigh?

The complete assembly weighs in at 1.35lbs / 0.6kg without a camera.