Emerging Tech

Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Production are rapidly changing filmmaking and animation. We’ve been involved with research into these emerging technologies, and utilised new technology pipelines on film and broadcast productions. We’ve worked with academic partners and traditional filmmaking crew, and were awarded a UKRI Creative Catalyst grant to fund research into the use of AI in animation.

Made famous for its use on multi-million-dollar productions, we used virtual production in Belfast to produce the first ICVFX TV commercial in Northern Ireland, for Vocational Qualifications, back in 2022. We worked with Belfast MET, E3 Studios and Aura Digital Studios to push the technology to the limit on this 1-shot, multiple-environment scenario. Since then, we’ve been doing some interesting things with VP relating to wild animals and an elevator (although not together).

We’ve also used real-time animation, working with Retinize and Animotive to create a limited series for BBC Bitesize, with motion capture allowing actors to live perform 3D characters and capture a full physical performance. Ultimately combining 3D animation with a traditional multi-cam edit pipeline that was a first for BBC.

We’ve been researching generative AI since 2020 alongside internationally renowned digital artist Glenn Marshall. Glenn’s work has received acclaim in America, Germany, France, Japan and Taiwan and received an honourable mention at the Prix Ars Electronica. This made us think that we were on an interesting path and our Consonance Project with The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens confirmed that. Since then, the rate of development in generative AI has been exponential and we continue to research the responsible use of AI within film, broadcast and the commercial sector.

 Contact us.

  • Armchair & Rocket Ltd
    The Baths
    18 Ormeau Avenue
    BELFAST
    BT2 8HS
    UNITED KINGDOM

  • Stephen Pierce
    (+44) 7759 348212

    Michael O’Neill
    (+44) 7724 908134

    Jude Sharvin
    (+44) 7596 797527

  • Stephen Pierce
    stephen@armchairandrocket.com

    Michael O’Neill
    michael@armchairandrocket.com

    Jude Sharvin
    jude@armchairandrocket.com