In the final part of our series on Blue Zoo, we explore how real-time technology and other advancements are shaping animation’s future

# 5 REAL-TIME TECH AND THE FUTURE OF ANIMATION

T he technology used to create 3D animation is advancing at such a rate it can be hard for even the most technically proficient artists to keep up with the change. Here at 3D World we do our very best to keep you informed, but a successful animation studio needs to be ahead of the curve. Blue Zoo knows this and no in-depth look at the awardwinning, London-based animation studio would be complete without exploring their use of cutting-edge technology and techniques, as well as the fascinating work of their research and development team.

In this fifth and final instalment of our series on Blue Zoo, we speak to the studio’s head of real-time Phil Stewart and co-founder Tom Box, to find out how the latest technological advancements in 3D animation are leveraged to create compelling stories and stunning visuals. As ever, there’s also plenty of artistic advice and inspiration to be found within. So, let’s jump in our time machine and explore the future of animation.

THE ENGINE OF CHANGE

As head of real-time at Blue Zoo, Phil Stewart leads the studio’s research and development into real-time technology and software, thus he is uniquely positioned to tell 3D World all about it. Stewart and his team look at any and all new or emerging technologies that Blue Zoo could utilise to create better content, whilst making their artists’ lives easier and more enjoyable. “At the moment we’re looking at Unreal Engine. I’m looking at getting it into production,” he explains. “I’m also exploring motion capture and coordinating with other departments within the studio, finding out what problems they have and what we can do to help them solve those problems.”

A still from Blue Zoo’s captivating Ada s hort, rendered entirely in Unreal

This scene w ith a dancing pirate animation w as created with t he game-changing technology of VR puppeteering