Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Virtual Stuntmen Ready for Hollywood

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can-you-take-a-punch dept.

Kerhop writes "Discovery Channel has an article about a new form of virtual actors in movies. In particular "Endorphin's virtual actors learn how to move and react independently, unlike most computerized characters now that depend on fixed databases containing animated clips". MSNBC also is featuring a news video (no direct link is available, stream must to be added to playlist). The featured software Endorphin is created by Natural Motion."

20 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Oh great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now we get to hear the people in Hollywood complain about having their jobs outsourced to computers.

    1. Re:Oh great by The+Ultimate+Fartkno · · Score: 3, Funny

      Could be worse - they could have followed the tech industry model and outsourced everything to India.

      "Coming this summer to a theater near you, 'Mission Impossible 3' starring Tom Cruise!! (as portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan). Costarring Star Wars' Jake Lloyd! (as portrayed by a bowl of warm curry.)"

  2. Next we need...... by LordPhantom · · Score: 2, Funny

    Virtual porn stars!!!

  3. Wow... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So now we have to teach our virtual stuntmen how to act, instead of just telling them what to do? ?_?

  4. Re:Ain't this a bit OLD? by Psykus · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's not news, it's Slashdot!

  5. They'll still need fixed databases... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...to reproduce the robotic movements of the virtual Stallone and Bronson.

  6. Re:Ain't this a bit OLD? by captnitro · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've also heard about this new site that plans to post links to "News for Nerds, Stuff That Matters". I can't wait until it goes live!

  7. Manny the Virtual Stuntman... by GreenPenInc · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... he'll come on at the start of every movie, and tell the kids to quit downloading his code!

  8. Toy Story by Ced_Ex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did Buzz Lightyear do his own stunts, or did he have a stunt double?

    --
    Live forever, or die trying.
  9. A much simpler solution by elid · · Score: 4, Funny

    can be found here

  10. Re:Is this really news by GreenPenInc · · Score: 5, Funny

    Olds for nerds. Stuff that mattered.

  11. In other "news" by ValuJet · · Score: 4, Funny

    Apple is rumored to be developing a portable MP3 player that has a hard drive, leaked sorces say it's name will be the 'I-Pod'

  12. The cliche, redefined. by InfinityWpi · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wow... imagine a whole bunch of these taught to do Beowulf...

  13. I thought we were responsible... by hende_jman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Isn't it people who download movies that put people like stuntmen out of jobs?

  14. Re:Ain't this a bit OLD? by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    I've also heard about this new site that plans to post links to "News for Nerds, Stuff That Matters". I can't wait until it goes live!

    Sounds almost like slashdot, except for the "matters" part.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  15. Time to counter with a by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...virtual Darwin Award.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  16. Hmmm.... by gandell · · Score: 2, Funny

    Which isn't much different from directing a Seagal film.

    --
    Mercy was given to me by Christ...I must give the same to others.
  17. Come on lines we don't need..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Hey there - I love a woman with 64 bits

  18. Re:Oh great ... and in 20 years... by mikael · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... the computers will be complaining about having their work outsourced to cheaper systems abroad.

    --
    Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  19. Ohhhh... Virtual _STUNT_men... by alefbet · · Score: 2, Funny

    I almost misread that as "Virtual Statemen Ready for Hollywood," which made me think "don't they have those in congress already?"

    --

    A hack is just an idiom waiting for wider use.