Resident Evil 5′s Chris Redfield discusses motion capture work

THE NEXT LEVEL

When gamers playing “Resident Evil 5″ see character Chris Redfield crouch, run or punch, it’s Reuben Langdon who provided the template for those movements.

Langdon is the co-founder, producer and action director for Just Cause Productions, a motion capture company for video games and films. Recently, Langdon used motion capture in his performance of Chris Redfield in “Resident Evil.” In addition, Langdon is providing motion capture for the anticipated film “Avatar” from director James Cameron.

To be a “mo-cap” performer, Langdon says a good physical command of one’s body is a must.

“Mo-cap is fast paced, there is no need to wait for camera and lighting set ups,” Langdon said in a recent interview with The Oklahoman. “Some days I’ve played five different characters, ranging from a drunk homeless guy to space monsters.”

Since many games involve fighting and martial arts, it helps to have martial arts, weapons, and tactical training.

Langdon said motion-capture has evolved quite a bit since he started 11 years ago.

“Back in the day we used a magnetic capture system that had us attached to wires,” he said. “It was bulky and limited our movement. In the new systems like the one used in ‘Resident Evil 5,’ there were optical motion cameras, which allows us to be free and work with a much larger space.”