Virtual camera system shows virtual counterparts of actors in real-time, which allows adjustment and scene direction as if it were a live action filming. The motion picture filmmaking has the advantage of not having to use lighting and camera setups, in addition to the advantage of filming scenes without being interrupted.
Visual effects have also presented an innovation to filmmaking including the new system for lighting large areas such as Pandora’s jungle, as well as improved facial expressions capture method. Face capturing was achieved by putting skullcaps with an installed small camera, placed in front of the actors’ faces. The facial expressions captured by the camera were then sent to computers for processing. An extensive use of digital cameras enabled the digital artists to cover a large shooting area, with multiple angle performance.
The visual effects company Weta Digital from New Zealand has had, at one point of the filmmaking, 900 people working on the movie. In addition, Microsoft delivered a new Digital Asset Management (DAM) system called Gaia, specifically made for the production of “Avatar.”
The pre-production of “Avatar 2” started in November 2014. A major part of the movie is filmed in New Zealand. The movie’s creators have reached an agreement with the New Zealand government, which requires “Avatar 2” to have at least one premiere in Wellington. In addition, the agreement also requires the movie producers to shell out NZ $500 million be spent on production in New Zealand.