The Magic of Projection Mapping

When I first watched the above video, I assumed that the stunning visuals where the result of CGI added in post. Upon further research, I was shocked to discover that this scene consists entirely of live visuals, captured in camera. To create these stunning visuals, Bot and Dolly, the company that produced this video, utilized robotics, motion control, and projection. Through the use of special software, Bot and Dolly was able to synchronize the projected visuals with the movements of the dollies and robotic arms. Not scene in the shot is the third dolly, on which the camera is mounted. The movements of this third dolly are programed so that the camera angles interact with and add depth to the projections on the screens. While projection mapping has been used in some films, most notably Oblivion, it is still a relatively new technology. The most notable advantage of implementing projection mapping, as opposed to using CGI, is that it allows actors to see and interact with visuals in real-time. It will be interesting to see if this technology catches on and becomes a common sight in mainstream films. Judging from this video, I say it is only a matter of time.