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Mapi was a challenge from the start. How to use similar technology as Avatar, Mandalorian or Fortnite to produce live TV? Augmented Reality is used by many broadcasters to add graphic content or data, but this is the first time a hybrid 3D character acts in real time for multi cameras.
We would like to thank RTVE and Mediacrest for commissioning us to create Mapi, an AR content using pioneering Virtual Production at a global level. We would also like to thank the team at Iralta VP and our technology partners: Epic Games, Mo-Sys Faceware and Tangram Solutions.
THE CHARACTER DESIGN
The design of Mapi adapting the character from the Japanese program Chiko´s Challengeobliged us to revisit animated characters that work in our culture, such as Cleo and Cuquin from the Family Telerin or Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph.
The character design was undertaken by Marcos Raya with the Iralta VP team directed by Angel Urbina and Dave Burton. Mapi is a 3D model with a girl’s face capable of expressing emotions; she laughs, sings, gets angry and improvises with other her co-characters. Mapi is the queen of knowledge, a little girl with a questioning mind, funny and full of emotions.
THE ACTRESS
AR using Virtual Production allows us to get the best performance from an actor and translate it to a 3D character in real time. However, the expressions wouldn’t be the same without the great actress behind Mapi, Carla Octopus. Everday on set Carla gave life and voice to a virtual character. She did this while wearing a dummy head for reference and a facial capture camera that synchronizes her movements with those of Mapi.
COSTUME
Mapi is half virtual and half human. The costume for the real Mapi was taken on by Esther R. Luaces and Kings Pe of Mutis Productions. The designs approved by TVE were made in record time to coincide with the pilots and technical tests. The colors and textures of the fabrics had to work and integrate with the virtual digital character. Mapi’s outfit needed to be attractive and very functional, her backpack had to hide the hardware for facial and motion tracking. The dummy head helped Carla achieve the correct movement and gave us real reflections and shadows to work with.
TECHNICAL CREW
Seven powerful computers were used to bring life to the virtual part of Mapi and to integrate the different data (e.g., video, position and facial recognition): analysis animation and render. A whole series of digital props were also developed to enhance the emotions and movements of Mapi.
During the months previous to recording, the Iralta VP crew were involved with R+D and tests to bring Mapi to life. Many long days with the optimization of the facial and camera tracking systems that continued to evolve in every program. Over various weeks the crew pushed machines and software to the limits to get the best real time result. The team’s directors, Ángel Urbina, Dave Burton and César Urbina, wish to thank all the technical and artistic crew at IraltaVP: Peter Gagnon, Xavi Calvo, Gonzalo Fuentes, Alberto Sanchez, Illary Vasquez, Ramón Verdugo, Iván Quesada, Sandra Vazquez, Fran Carbajo y Claudio Garcia.
_IN OTHER NEWS
RURAL SUSTENTÁVEL: LOW CARBON AGRICULTURE IN BRAZIL
In the last months we have been involved on this project we have met thousands of people from all over the world that are fighting against the climatic chance. The immersive experience VR “Low carbone agriculture in Brasil” is based on the Rural Sustentável project and it has been developed together with the Inter-American Development Bank.
LOS40VR: MUSIC AND VIRTUAL REALITY
LOS40VR is a virtual reality App created to surprise fans of bands and lovers of music and virtual reality. For the first time viewers will be near their favorite musicians and will live exciting immersive experiences next to them.
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BID VR
In the month of March there have been two important events in Brazil and Argentina in which virtual reality has been the protagonist, the World Water Forum and Annual Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the IDB and the IIC.
The virtual reality experiences that we have developed in the last two years together with the IDB they have had their space and it has been a success among the attending public.
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The new Iralta VR App
Iralta publishes its new application that allows viewing 360° videos from iOs and Android mobile devices.
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10 Tips for the good use of Virtual Reality in Tourism
10 Tips for the good use of Virtual Reality in Tourism is the title of the workshop held at FITUR 2018. Segittur suggested that we summarize our experience in creating tourism and virtual reality projects for the FITUR Know-Export space in ten tips.
In this article you will find some tips and ideas that you should assess before producing a virtual reality experience in the tourism sector.
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FEATURE
FITUR, the great tourism fair has broken records in its 38th edition. This year 2018, more than 140,000 accredited and more than 10,000 companies from around the world have participated in the quintessential event of Tourism in Spain.
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Cervantes VR in the classroom
Now that the classes are empty and the students and teachers are enjoying their vacations, we would like to remember the virtual reality day that we lived with the students of the CEIP "Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo" in Madrid the last week of the course.
SUITE SELFIE
A few months ago, we received an interesting order. On the occasion of the centenary of Madrid's Plaza Mayor, Photoespaña sought to produce, with the patronage of Samsung, a VR piece for this year's festival.
Chasing the Northern Lights VR – Lofoten Island Norway 360º
Traveling to the Arctic Circle in winter is a unique experience.
Unpredictable and ever-changing weather produces a wide variety of lighting conditions. It is the best time of the year to photograph its incredible mountains and frozen lakes. But above all, it is the best time to capture the elusive and capricious Northern Lights.
Cervantes VR Presentation
Did you miss the Cervantes VR presentation?
Don't worry…. Here is a summary of the day