In ViQueens, performances by real actors form the basis of the animation work. The method, called Reference Capture, allows us to explore movement, camerawork and timing early in production.
The process begins with performers in front of a camera. Dancers and mime artists perform scenes in sync with dialogue and music, while the camera moves through the space. The footage captures both the characters’ movements and the way the action is filmed.
The material is then used as a reference for the animators and as an animatic — a preliminary version of the film showing how scenes work in terms of timing and movement. It gives the team a shared starting point for the work ahead.
At Gimpville, the recordings provide a foundation for developing the finished animation. The performances give the animators specific movements and interactions to study and build on. The camerawork is also part of the reference material, allowing character movement to be considered in relation to the shots.
In this way, Reference Capture connects performance, camerawork and animation. Many of the choices that shape a scene can be explored before it is fully animated.
Gimpville plays a central role in developing the animation and visual world of ViQueens. The studio is led by co-founder Torgeir Sanders, whose experience includes Troll, The 12th Man, The Wave and The Arctic Convoy.
ViQueens opens in Norway on Christmas Day, 25 December 2026.
