Matchmove and Tracking - What are They and What Do They Involve?

Matchmove: it's all about cameras. Image: Wikipedia

Matchmove is one of the more technical and less well known departments in the 3D visual effects pipeline. It is also a traditional entry-level position for junior VFX artists, a great way to get your foot in the door in the industry. In this post from our sister blog FLiP, Matchmove artist Amy Lloyd explains how it all works.

Amy was for many years a lead matchmover at Cinesite in London's Soho, and has worked on countless visual effects blockbusters including Harry Potter, X Men, Moon, Battle LA and John Carter. Here, she explains what exactly her department does, and why it is so important in VFX.

Animation Apprentice Student Rory Marchant Finds Work at Prime Focus

Animation Apprentice Student Rory Marchant recently found work at Prime Focus, working as a match move (also known as tracking) artist in their visual effects department.

So what, exactly, is match move? Wikipedia defines it as: "a cinematic technique that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the photographed objects in the shot."

In visual effects, match move is an entry-level position, a great starting point for any digital artist hoping to establish a toehold in the industry.