Zoe Saldaña reveals truth behind ‘Avatar’s’ motion capture magic

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  Zoe Saldaña reveals truth behind ‘Avatar’s’ motion capture magic

Zoe Saldaña is advocating for a documentary about the making of James Cameron\“s Avatar movies, which she believes would showcase the intricacies of motion capture performances.  

In a recent interview with Alicia Keys for Beyond Noise, Saldaña expressed her desire for a documentary that would “finally give us a chance to explain, in a meticulous way, why performance capture is the most empowering form of acting.“

According to Saldaña, performance capture allows actors to own 100% of their performance on screen, making it a unique and empowering experience.  

She highlighted the extensive training and dedication required for these roles, citing the seven-year gap between each Avatar film.

“With animation, you might go into the studio for [a few] sessions; that\“s as much as they\“ll need you for the whole movie,“ Saldaña explained.  

“Performance capture means that Avatar wouldn\“t exist if Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, myself, and the entire cast didn\“t get up and put those dots on our faces.“

The process involves wearing a specialized unitard with dots and stepping into a volume rigged with cameras that capture every movement.  

The actress emphasised the importance of recognizing motion capture performances, which are often overlooked in award categories despite the immense skill and talent involved.

Cameron’s Avatar films have won numerous awards, including three Oscars for best cinematography, best visual effects, and best art direction. Saldaña will reprise her role as Neytiri in Avatar: Fire and Ash, set to release on December 19, 2025.