CSUSB Collaboration with the College of William & Mary
The collaboration between California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) and the College of William & Mary demonstrates how motion capture can serve as a powerful platform for interdisciplinary storytelling, creative research, and experiential learning. Developed as part of the Art and Science Exchange initiative, conceived by Omiyẹmi (Artisia) Green, Director of the Art & Science Exchange, the project brought together artists, technologists, faculty, and students to explore new ways of connecting performance with emerging media.
The initiative was led by CSUSB Professor Kristi Papailler, working in collaboration with Omiyẹmi (Artisia) Green, Director of the Art & Science Exchange, and supported by the xREAL Lab and the Multimedia & Immersive Technologies (MIT) program. The motion capture production team lead by Bobby Laudeman and Yutong Liu, who oversaw the technical pipeline and live performance integration. The 3D environments were developed by MIT staff Francisco Casillas and student assistant Luic Semmens. Theater technology student, Anthony Blackwell Tallent developed the charter creation. The collective work of the team reflects a collaborative production model that integrates faculty leadership with staff expertise and student contribution.
Building on this collaborative framework, the CSUSB team designed a showcase that combined live motion capture, cinematic production, and immersive virtual reality. The centerpiece was a live performance featuring an actor and poet presenting three original works, each set within a distinct, fully realized 3D environment. These digital spaces were developed specifically for the performance, emphasizing both narrative context and visual immersion.
To highlight the flexibility of the workflow, the presentation also included a cinematic rendering of a previous performance, demonstrating how motion capture data can be adapted into polished, film-style outputs. In addition, attendees were invited to engage with an interactive virtual reality experience that extended the performance into an immersive environment, illustrating how projects can evolve across multiple platforms.
Audience response was highly positive, with many describing the experience as cinematic and expressive. The integration of live performance, motion capture, and digital visualization created a compelling format that resonated with both arts and science audiences. The event also generated interest from peer institutions and opened the door for continued collaboration with the College of William & Mary.
This project reflects MIT’s broader approach to motion capture one that emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and storytelling. By bringing together faculty, staff, and students in a shared production process, CSUSB continues to expand the role of motion capture in digital storytelling and immersive media while building meaningful partnerships across disciplines and institutions.