海角直播

海角直播 animation crew鈥檚 role in epic film adventure

Animation experts from 海角直播 have played a major role in a new film about Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan鈥檚 epic journey into space.

The Last Man on the Moon shares the memories of the space traveller who left his footprints and his daughter鈥檚 initials in lunar dust when he stepped off the moon in December 1972. Now four decades on, Gene is sharing his story in this documentary which features interviews and rare archive material, along with stunning visual effects created by the 海角直播 team.

Documentary maker Mark Craig spent five years putting together The Last Man on the Moon, with a team from 海角直播 working on the special effects led by his partner Penny Holton, Senior Lecturer in 3D Animation.

The visual effect sequences reconstruct Gemini 9 and Apollo 10 missions, using animation to depict the spacecraft during their epic journeys in space.

Working alongside Penny were her School of Computing colleagues and visual effects artists Paul Noble, Senior Lecturer in 3D Animation; Chris Wyatt, Senior Lecturer in Animation; former lecturer Em Johnson who now works for a games company in Guildford and Dave Cockburn, Senior Lecturer in Animation.

BA (Hons) Computer Character Animation students, Bianca Iancu, Caitlin Watts, Emma Berry and Heather Gretton, who all graduate from 海角直播 this year, were also involved in additional work, including retouching of stills.

Michael Ryding, the School鈥檚 Head of Digital Enterprise, was also involved by providing invaluable help behind the scenes in making it possible for the University team to work on the film.

Penny, who met Mark while they were both working on a sci-fi project for Channel 4, said: 'Mark had read Gene鈥檚 book and was keen to tell his story in a film. He made contact with him and eventually went to America to meet Gene, but it was a long process before work started.

'In order to secure the contract for the University I had to show the film鈥檚 investors and producers an animation test to show we were capable of delivering a high quality result on time and on budget. Once given the go-ahead, I set about putting together a team to work on the shots. We used Maya to create all the sequences which is the same software we teach our students.

'We worked painstakingly to ensure technical accuracy of the Saturn 5 and Gemini spacecraft as well as their correct position in relation to the Earth and the Sun.

'All of the animation was completed at the University, apart from some filming with an actor in a Gemini space suit, which was done in London with Chris and I in attendance as technical advisors.

'It was an extremely lengthy process, with approval needed at so many stages which added to the time-consuming nature of the work.'

But it was all worth it, as Penny added: 'Mark and I took the film to NASA in Houston earlier this year for a screening at Gene鈥檚 surprise 80th birthday party. It was seen by Gene, his family and friends, Apollo astronauts and Nasa colleagues. We received so much positive feedback. It was one of the most memorable nights of our lives.

'It was a great experience for both staff and students to be able to work on this project and everyone involved did a tremendous job. We were thrilled to win the University Enterprise Project of the Year at this year鈥檚 Vice Chancellor Awards and we look forward to working on other projects in the future.'

The Last Man on the Moon had its world premiere in June at Sheffield Doc/Fest and the film is now touring Yorkshire and the North East as part of The Unbelievable Truth: The Best of Doc/Fest, including at Cineworld in Middlesbrough at 6.30pm on Tuesday 25 November. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Mark Craig.

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