Virtual camera scouting with 3DOF motion trackers

Abstract

The Screenplay Scout interface enables a filmmaker to scout camera placements and angles in a virtual 3D world using a lightweight and low-cost combination of a gamepad and a three-degree of freedom (3DOF) orientation sensor. He or she records the camera moves as the orientation sensor's real-time 3DOF data is mapped to the aim direction of the virtual camera and the gamepad controls camera position and the zoom lens. During recording the Screenplay Scout automatically saves to disk still frame images and a text log of camera setting data to support creation of storyboards and cinematic previsualization.