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In 1968, Lee Harrison III's Mr. Computer Image became a monumental achievement, setting the stage for the future of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and motion capture technology.
This project wasn't just a step forward, it was the first time a fully animated CGI character could speak and move in sync with human performance, a pivotal moment in the history of digital animation.
At the core of Mr. Computer Image was Harrison’s Animac system. This analog animation system used potentiometers sensors embedded into a body suit worn by performers that recorded movement in real-time.
These movements were translated directly onto a character displayed on a CRT monitor, effectively creating one of the earliest examples of motion capture.
The system even allowed the character's facial animations to sync precisely with audio tracks, making the puppet not only expressive but also capable of delivering lines in time with a recorded voice. This was a groundbreaking blend of technology and performance.
Mr. Computer Image stands as a direct ancestor to the advanced digital puppetry and character animation techniques used today. Harrison's innovation went beyond mimicking human motion, he introduced the potential for real-time manipulation of characters.
His experiments inspired the creation of subsequent systems like Scanimate, which dominated TV production in the 1970s and 1980s, bringing animated logos, show openings, and effects into mainstream entertainment.
Moreover, Mr. Computer Image demonstrated how analog technology could offer dynamic and synchronized interactions between visuals and sound.
The rigging of body suits to control animations was not only novel but essential to shaping what we now recognize as motion capture.
Harrison’s contributions remain woven into the DNA of the VFX industry. His early work blurred the line between artist and engineer, proving that animation could evolve into a real-time art form.