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The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 17.1094  Friday, 15 December 2006

From: 		Al Magary <al@magary.com>
Date: 		Friday, 15 Dec 2006 01:14:16 -0800
Subject: 	CGI Shakespeare

<http://uk.gizmodo.com/2006/12/14/shakespeare_tests_computer_gen.html>

Antony's "all is lost" soliloquy from A&C (4.12) has been rendered by CGI 
(computer-generated imaging) artists to challenge their skills with 
dramatic characters and in particular facial expressions.  Here's the 
Gizmodo-UK squib, which links to the 2:12 YouTube video.  I thought the 
scene too dark (probably covers errors well) but Antony's movement, though 
limited, was realistic.  I guess the speech was not machine-generated but 
I didn't recognize the actor.

Cheers,
Al Magary

Shakespeare Tests Computer Generated Actors
December 14, 2006

http://uk.gizmodo.com/2006/12/14/shakespeare_tests_computer_gen.html

When it comes to testing the cutting edge in CGI characters - particularly 
the notoriously difficult facial expressions - it seems there's no harder 
taskmaster than The Bard himself. The man who put the 'T' in tragedy has 
made, and broken, many actor's reputations on stage but, getting animated 
characters to portray all of those emotions, is seen as the Mt. Everest in 
computer animation.

Pendulum Studios has taken a decent stab at it though with its CGI Mark 
Anthony and the recreation of [one of] the betrayal scenes in Antony and 
Cleopatra. There are over 30 facial expressions on display here but while 
it is good, there are too many emotions going on and the swapping between 
those emotions is a bit jarring.

Still, if you want to see the first hammy Shakespeare rendition from a CGI 
thespian, play the clip.--Martin Lynch

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