# Motion-Captured Theater Reinventions Yorku 's Digital Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream By M | Published 2013-04-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/realtime-a-midsummer-nights-dream-motioncapture References: [finearts.yorku](http://finearts.yorku.ca/news/article/theatre-and-digital-media-dream-team-conjures-midsummer-magic-onstage) York University broke records last month with the first use of [real-time motion-capture technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rebuff-reality-bodylink) in conjunction with [theater performance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avantgarde-theatrical-experience). YorkU's digital media students teamed up with fourth-year conservatory acting students to put on a production of [Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pix-william-shakespeare) and used the unique digital aspects of real-time motion-capture to augment the play's whimsical, alluring and fantastical aspects. The motion-capture technology relies on infra-red sensors of a WII remote that the actors use alongside their performance to transfer animations onto a large green screen in the background. The technology is used to heighten the actor's performance: fairies use the remote as wands to play with fairy dust and shadows and Bottom's donkey head becomes a projected 3D virtual mask that talks and moves with the actor's movements. No longer limited to movies, motion-capture technology is colliding with theater to merge digital animation with real-time stage performance. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Real-time Motion-capture Technology:** Real-time motion-capture technology is revolutionizing the theater industry by merging digital animation with live stage performances. - **Enhanced Actor Performances:** The use of motion-capture technology allows actors to enhance their performances by incorporating interactive digital elements into their movements and gestures. - **Merge of Digital Animation and Theater:** The integration of motion-capture technology in theater productions is enabling the fusion of digital animation and real-time stage performances, creating innovative and immersive theatrical experiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Theater:** The theater industry can embrace real-time motion-capture technology to create captivating and visually stunning productions that push the boundaries of traditional stage performances. - **Digital Media:** The digital media industry can explore opportunities in developing advanced motion-capture technologies and techniques specifically designed for theater applications. - **Entertainment Technology:** The entertainment technology industry can capitalize on the merge of motion-capture and theater by developing new tools and software solutions that enhance the integration of digital animation in live performances. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Generated Elizabethan Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-shakespeare.md) - [Performing Arts Subtitle Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subtitle-system.md) - [Avatar Motion-Capture Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mocopi-1.md) - [Unique Immersive Theater Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleep-no-more.md) - [Motion Tracking Digital Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mocopi.md) - [Full-Body Motion-Tracking Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/refract-technologies.md) - [Experiential Entertainment Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illuminarium-1.md) - [Virtual Human Creation Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-human-platform.md) - [Live Theater AR Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conceptual-ar-glasses.md)