Many people have heard of the term “motion capture”. Fewer people have heard of the term “performance capture” and even fewer know the differences between them. Motion capture, in one form or another, has been around for many years, since Max Fleischer's invention of the Rotoscope in 1915, and has struggled to gain acceptance every step of the way. Performance capture is often called motion capture. (mocap) or performance animation. The variety of terms used to describe the process is indicative of a field that lacks a clear definition of its boundaries and uncertainty about its role in filmmaking. The development of performance capture is increasingly blurring the boundary between what is a game and what is animation. so much so that people in both disciplines are at risk. The actors feel like they're being replaced by animated characters and the animators feel like their craft is being polluted by technical tricks. Performance capture fills the gap between live action and computer-generated (CG) imagery. As technology improves, we will find that performance capture will be seen not as a replacement for traditional media, but as a tool that allows us, as filmmakers, to see our created visions in their full scope. Although its use is not always appropriate, performance capture has its place in the filmmakers' toolbox. History of Performance Capture The concept of using human movement as a basis for animated characters is not new. In fact, it started as early as 1919 with Koko the Clown by Max Fleischer. Max, after filming his brother Dave in a clown costume, used his invention, the Rotoscope, to retrace the action of his animated character. Although it took a long time, it resulted in a surprisingly light result......apturesociety.com). Closing Despite the reservations of some in the field, performance capture is here to stay. With any new development there are those who will be intimidated and those who think the new methods require less skill. The success of any film, regardless of the methods used to make it, rests on the idea and the execution. People often get carried away with a purist view of an art form. So much so that they forget the purpose of art, which is the message. All art serves the message, the techniques used to achieve this goal are of secondary importance. Performance capture has the potential to save time and money while sometimes providing superior results. A true craftsman uses the tool best suited to his work. Leaving a tool on the shelf because you find it less pure does not make you a better artist, it makes you irresponsible..