Alexander Counsell

My areas of expertise range from Motion Capture and Visual Effects (VFX) through to Virtual Production and Virtual Reality (VR). I am very driven and passionate about how technology has the potential to be applied over many different fields and I am actively engaged in many collaborative and interdisciplinary projects that explore this.

My current role at the University of Portsmouth is Technical Director for the Centre for Creative and Immersive & eXtended Realities (CCIXR) which is a centre that will enable easier access to cutting edge facilities that explore new production and delivery methods, and opens its doors later this year. Over the last 14 years I have established a successful motion capture studio within the University. The ethos of the studio is to engage in cutting edge collaborative projects that train and employ students during their studies. Through this, we have built links with numerous industry partners and practitioners, and have worked with companies such as The Royal Shakespeare Company, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Manchester International Festival, London Philarmonic Orchestra, The London Symphony Orchestra, SuperUnion and the Imaginarium Studios. Graduates from the studio now work all over the world at companies such as Vicon, the Imaginarium Studios, Weta Digital, ILM and Rockstar Games.

My work uses the latest technology to explore new areas of development and collaboration between the Arts and technical disciplines such as Virtual Reality, 360 Video, Motion Capture, Virtual Production and Visual Effects. Some of my most recent work has been in developing immersive theatre performances using real-time motion capture, virtual production and VR. I have also explored the preservation of martial arts and dance through digital art and storytelling. These projects have been successfully funded through internal University research funds and bids with Arts Council England, Digital Catapult and Innovate UK.