LightSpeed’s new performance capture studio prioritizes safety and creativity
LightSpeed Studios announced this week that it has opened a new performance capture facility for its LightSpeed L.A. studio, located in the Los Angeles area. The new space was built with an eye for not only innovation and creativity in mind, but also safety and worker comfort. The studio is 38,000 cubic feet across two floors and includes a massive stage and recording areas, among other amenities. At present, the first project in the works at LightSpeed L.A.’s new space is Last Sentinel, an open-world action game developed by Lightspeed.
GamesBeat spoke with Steve Martin, VP of LightSpeed Studios and general manager of LightSpeed L.A. about what’s inside their massive new facility. According to him, the studio’s stage includes a stunt trust and uniform lighting as well as performance-friendly acoustics. For performers, there is also a voice recording studio and an editing suite that enables actors to do all of their work in one place.
Filming for Last Sentinel includes full-body performance capture, directed by award-winning video game actor Troy Baker. Baker said in a statement, “Working with LightSpeed Studios and the outstanding team at this facility is nothing short of thrilling. And I’m honored. The amount of skill, talent, thoughtfulness, experience and care that went into the making of this studio is remarkable. The flow of the space, every minute detail is designed not only to support actors in crafting memorable performances but also fully equips every member of this creative team to get it done and get it done right. And that’s what LightSpeed Studios did from the jump; they got it right.”
Safety and security of performers
LightSpeed’s L.A. studio is equipped to give performers anything they might need while on the stage, Martin told GamesBeat. “We’ve got a really large prop room. There’s woodworking, there’s metalwork — we have two separate 3D printers. We can make custom weaponry or anything you want in there. Literally, we never have to making something — if you’re running upstairs, we can build those stairs.”
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He also emphasized that safety was the highest priority. “We’ve got giant elephant doors for moving everything on and off the stage, so it’s safe for people moving things. No one has to carry or lift anything. We’re trying our best for efficiency, but also comfort and safety as well.”
Martin also adds that it’s not enough just to have room for performers to perform. The studio also has facilities such as green rooms, dining areas and a nursing room, to name a few. “The entire thing was designed for staff who work on site to have a really comfortable model work environment. These stages can be very industrial and uncomfortable, so we wanted to make sure the people who work there are comfortable. But also, for talent we bring in — acting talent, stunt talent, voice talent — we also wanted them to have a really comfortable and respectful, and they can feel like they’re being treated like the professionals they are.”
Martin also added that the entire space was designed to maximize productivity, and performers don’t have to worry about technical details as the studio staff are prepared to handle it all. “What the facility does for us, which for me is huge, is it lets us say to the actors, don’t worry about anything technical, give us your best performance.”