Imaginarium Studios

Imaginarium Studios is a performance-capture and virtual-production studio founded in 2011 by Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish. It translates live performance into digital characters and real-time production assets for feature films, television, games, music and immersive entertainment.

The studio combines optical and inertial full-body capture, hand and prop capture, and head-mounted-camera facial capture with virtual-production workflows. Its work spans performer-led character creation, virtual camera tracking, real-time rendering, on-set capture, production audio, stunt coordination, visualization and behind-the-scenes production.

Capture and virtual-production capabilities

• High-density Vicon optical capture and inertial systems for performers, doubles and props.
• Facial-performance capture using single- and stereo-camera head-mounted systems.
• Real-time virtual production using Unreal Engine 5, MetaHuman Animator workflows and custom toolkits.
• Virtual-camera tracking, LED-volume integration and deployable mobile capture volumes.
• Previsualization, tech-visualization and postvisualization developed in collaboration with Cinesite VIS.
• Casting, movement coaching, stunt rigging and performer contract management.

The company restructured its operating business under Creative Capture Services Limited in 2017. In 2023, Cinesite acquired a majority stake, connecting Imaginarium's performance-capture practice with Cinesite's international VFX and animation infrastructure while retaining the studio's distinct creative identity. A January 2024 brand refresh introduced the streamlined public styling Imaginarium Studios.

Its projects include performance-capture work for films such as Deadpool & Wolverine, Napoleon, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Lion King, The Jungle Book, War for the Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Screen and interactive credits also include She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, 1899, Dance Monsters, Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier, Squadron 42, and Stormzy x Rockstar Energy's Press Play virtual concert.

The studio supports productions in the UK and North America, with dedicated capture, audio and virtual-production resources as well as on-location deployment for productions requiring mobile capture services.