A former Apple Computer engineer who previously co-founded WebTV Networks, is now putting the finishing touches on Contour, a futuristic camera system that will add photorealistic three-dimensional effects to digital entertainment says The New York Times.
The system could change the nature of cinematography in several ways, according to leading Hollywood producers and technologist, for example making it possible to create compellingly realistic synthetic actors by capturing the facial movements of real actors in much greater detail than currently possible.
David Fincher ("Fight Club", "Se7en") is planning to use Contour next year when he begins filming "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", a movie based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald in which Brad Pitt will play a character who ages in reverse.
"Instead of grabbing points on a face, you will be able to capture the entire skin. You're going to get all of the enormous detail and the quirks of human expression that you can't plan for" says Fincher.
