Work with Simon Kay
The goal isn’t to capture data. It’s to capture a performance you can actually use.
That means deciding what to capture and how to capture it so you get production-ready animation, not expensive data you’re still fixing months later.
I help teams plan, capture, and process mocap so it retargets cleanly, needs minimum clean-up, and still feels like the performance you captured.
20+ years at DNEG, Sony, Centroid on projects including Avengers, Tenet, Dune.
What happens next: Tell me what you want to achieve, your deadline, and what’s unclear. I’ll reply within 48 hours with whether I can help and what to do next (even if that’s “not me”). If we proceed, we’ll agree a simple roadmap with clear decision points—no wasted time.
About | LinkedIn | IMDb | MobyGames
How I can help
Pick one or a combination – whatever fits your situation. Not sure which? Tell me your outcome, deadline, and what’s unclear, and we’ll figure it out together.
Planning & Feasibility
Figure out if mocap’s the right choice, what you need to capture, and what it will actually cost.
- Capture approach (optical/inertial/markerless, finger, face)
- Shot/action list (what to capture and how)
- Realistic budget & schedule (crew, stage time, processing time)
Good fit if: you need to turn “we want mocap” into a solid plan your team can execute.
Pipeline & Setup
Integrate mocap and/or MotionBuilder into your existing workflow.
- Pipeline roadmap + I/O spec (formats, naming, FPS, handoffs)
- Workflow documentation + QC checklist (repeatable steps)
- Tooling/scripting where it helps
Good fit if: you have a pipeline but don’t know where mocap fits or how to make it repeatable.
Production Support
Get from shot list to usable performance data—without surprises.
- Pre-shoot: capture plan, schedules, roles, file naming, asset requirements
- On-set: supervision, shoot direction, troubleshooting, director-to-capture translation
- Post: delivery packaging, directory structuring, retargeting and editing support
Good fit if: you’re about to capture but aren’t sure how to prepare or what happens after.
MotionBuilder Training
Get your team using MotionBuilder without slowing production.
- Project-specific training (not generic tutorials)
- Hands-on sessions with your actual data and workflow
- Workflow best practices and “sanity checks”
Good fit if: you need to start today but don’t know where to begin.
Education
Work with universities, colleges, and industry access programmes.
- Guest lectures (2–3 hours): how mocap works in production + what makes students employable
- Half-day/full-day masterclasses: hands-on workflow training with real production examples
- Multi-day workshops: plan → capture → edit → export
Good fit if: you want industry teaching that’s practical, current, and actually prepares people for the job.
Tell me About your Project
Fill in what you can below. If some parts are unclear, that’s fine—that’s often why people need help. Start with: what you want to achieve, your deadline, and what’s unclear – plus any other information you think might help.
How it works
I’ll reply within 48 hours with whether I can help and what to do next (even if that’s “not me”). If we proceed, we’ll agree a simple roadmap with clear decision points—no wasted time.
- Discovery
You send a short brief using the form above. I’ll clarify the outcome, constraints, success criteria, and what “good” looks like. - Roadmap
I recommend the smallest piece of work that provides the biggest win, with clear assumptions, deliverables, and decision points. If we’re not aligned at this point, we can stop—no pressure to continue. - Execution
Planning, pipeline, training, production support—or a combination—delivered with clear outputs. - Handover
Templates/docs/notes so your team can keep moving without depending on me.
Practicalities
- Working style: remote or on-site (travel by arrangement)
- Availability: usually 1–3 weeks lead time; urgent gaps sometimes possible
- Commercial options: day rate / half-day / short sprint / retainer
FAQ
What mocap systems do you work with?
All of them—optical, inertial, markerless, hybrid. I’m not tied to vendors because the right system depends on your specific outcome, budget, and workflow.
Do you work on small projects?
Yes. Recent examples: 2-day mocap shoot supervision, half-day remote MotionBuilder retargeting and editing workflow class, feasibility call + budget breakdown, 1-day intro to mocap masterclass.
Do you work remotely or only on-site?
Both. Planning, workflow setup, motion work, and training are often remote. On-set/in-person support is possible when it makes sense for the project.
Do you offer quick MotionBuilder troubleshooting?
Not as a standalone service. I’m most useful when the goal is a working outcome. For one-off tips, my tutorials and course material are usually the fastest fix.
Do you work with universities, colleges, and industry access programmes?
Yes. I deliver guest lectures (2–3 hours), half-day/full-day masterclasses, and multi-day workshops—focused on how mocap works in real production and what students need to be employable.
How do you handle budget and rates?
Scope varies, so I don’t publish day rates here. I’ll recommend the smallest piece of work that reduces the biggest risk first—then expand only if it’s genuinely useful.
Will you take over our pipeline or change everything?
No. I fit into how you already work. I’ll suggest changes only where they make a meaningful difference and your team can maintain them.
We’re mid-production and things are messy—can you help?
Sometimes. I’ll be honest about what’s realistically fixable and what isn’t. If the sensible next step is triage and damage control rather than a “silver bullet,” I’ll tell you upfront.
What if we skip planning and fix it in post?
You’ll likely spend 4-5x more in post-production than you saved skipping pre-production, and the final animation quality will be limited by what you captured, not what you needed.