The Imaginarium Studios, LTD

What The Imaginarium Studios, LTD does

The Imaginarium Studios is a UK-based performance capture and virtual production company founded in 2012 by actor and director Andy Serkis. The studio provides integrated capture services covering body, facial, hand, finger, and prop capture using optical (Vicon), inertial, and head-mounted camera (HMC) systems, augmented by proprietary in-house tools including bespoke stereo HMC rigs and custom hand capture devices. Operations run from two locations: a 10m x 14m capture volume with a Vicon camera system and dedicated LED virtual production stage at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, and a 5m x 3m volume with 16 Vicon cameras at SIDE London's Studio 1 in Kings Cross.

The company's technical differentiation lies in its pioneering ability to stream motion capture data directly into Epic's Unreal Engine and its fully tested MetaHuman animator pipeline using stereo HMC facial capture, enabling real-time on-set visualization for directors. Imaginarium operates a project-based professional services model, delivering custom-quoted engagements rather than standardized pricing. It serves three primary verticals: Film & TV (Disney, Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures), Video Games (CD Projekt Red, Remedy Entertainment, Respawn Entertainment, Pixel Toys), and Music (music videos and live concert backdrops). Marketing is conducted primarily through industry reputation, portfolio referrals, and direct B2B engagement via the company website.

Since May 2023, Imaginarium has operated as a Cinesite Partner Company, integrating it into Cinesite Group's global VFX and animation network and providing access to Cinesite's visualization team. The company maintains a small headcount of 1-10 employees and continues to operate under its own brand from its Pinewood and SIDE London bases.

Name

The Imaginarium Studios, LTD

Legal name

The Imaginarium Studios, LTD

Website

https://imaginariumstudios.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Imaginarium Studios is a UK-based performance capture and virtual production studio founded by Andy Serkis in 2012, serving film/TV, video game, and music clients with Vicon optical capture, proprietary HMC facial systems, and Unreal Engine integration. As a Cinesite Partner Company since May 2023, it operates from Pinewood Studios and SIDE London.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motion Capture & Virtual Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion Capture & Performance Capture (Body/Face, Cleanup, Retargeting) (MPADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Production & LED Volume Services (Stage Ops, ICVFX, Real-Time Camera/Tracking) (MPADAHAB), In-Camera VFX (ICVFX) Systems Integration & Workflows (MPAHADAE), Production Equipment & Technical Services (Camera/Lighting/Grip, Virtual Production) (MPAAAMAH)

Keywords

• Performance capture services
• Virtual production studio
• Motion capture
• Facial capture
• Unreal Engine integration

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Performance Capture Services: Project-based service contracts providing body capture, facial capture, stunt capture, and virtual production services to film, TV, and video game productions. Services include on-set capture, post-production data processing, and technical support.
2. Music Industry Services: Motion capture services for music videos and live concert experiences, including on-location setups and real-time rendering for concert backdrops

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Imaginarium Studios is a performance capture and virtual production service company that provides body capture, facial capture, stunt capture, virtual camera, real-time rendering, and production audio services to film, TV, video game, and music clients. It operates dedicated motion capture volumes at Pinewood Studios (10m x 14m with Vicon system) and SIDE London Studio 1 (5m x 3m with 16 Vicon cameras), and offers on-location portable volume setups.

Product overview

The Imaginarium Studios is a pioneering performance capture and virtual production company offering an integrated suite of services. The core offering is Performance Capture Services encompassing Body Capture (full optical or inertial body, hands, props and stunts), Facial Capture (single and stereo HMC technology), Virtual Production Tools (real-time rendering, camera tracking, Unreal Engine expertise), Audio Recording, Production Management, and Casting. Additional services include On Location Volume Services, Behind the Scenes Production, and Visualisation Services (partnered with Cinesite). The company operates across three vertical markets: Film & TV (including VFX pipelines, stunt capture, script/ad services), Video Games (Unreal Engine, MetaHuman pipeline, virtual camera, real-time on-set preview), and Music (music videos and live performances with real-time rendering). Services are delivered at Pinewood Studios (10m x 14m volume with Vicon system) and SIDE London Studio 1 (5m x 3m volume with 16 Vicon cameras).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performance Capture Services Full-service performance capture and virtual production services encompassing body, facial, hand and prop capture using optical, inertial and head-mounted camera systems, with post-production data processing and delivery.
• Body Capture Full optical or inertial capture of the body and hands, including props and stunts, with full post-production services on captured data. Supports wire work, platforms, jumps, tuning fork rigs and fight sequences.
• Facial Capture Facial capture using single and stereo HMC (Head Mounted Camera) technology for recording and post-processing facial data for all pipelines. Includes bespoke flexible HMC systems for retargeting onto any face rig.
• Virtual Production Tools Real-time rendering, camera tracking, virtual camera and custom Unreal Engine expertise enabling directors to see their vision in real-time during shoots.
• Film & TV Capture Services Performance capture services tailored for film and TV productions including VFX pipelines, stunt capture, camera tracking, and script/ad services with flexible studio setups and portable volume options.
• Video Game Capture Services Performance capture for video games including Unreal Engine expertise, MetaHuman pipeline, virtual camera tools, real-time on-set preview, production audio, digital environments, and character rig scaling for non-human creatures.
• Music Video & Live Performance Capture Performance capture services for music videos and live audiences, including real-time rendering for music videos and concert backdrops, and on-location volume setup for bands.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Cinesite GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn May 2023, Imaginarium Studios became a Cinesite Partner Company. This partnership integrates Imaginarium into Cinesite's global network of VFX and animation studios, positioning the company to take content creation to the next level alongside Cinesite's worldwide divisions. Cinesite Group secured $215 million in funding to support strategic growth and acquisitions.
• Pinewood StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImaginarium Studios is based at Pinewood Studios, the world-famous film studio facility. This provides access to industry-standard infrastructure, on-lot partner companies for additional filming needs, and association with a premier production location.
• SIDE London (PTW Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImaginarium installed a full performance capture volume at SIDE London's Studio 1 near King's Cross. This partnership provides audio services integration including ADR capabilities synchronized with full performance capture, leveraging SIDE's 20+ years of interactive media audio expertise.
• Epic Games (Unreal Engine)coreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing technical partnership with Epic Games for Unreal Engine integration. Imaginarium pioneered streaming motion capture data into Unreal and has fully tested MetaHuman animator pipelines using stereo HMC technology.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Moving Picture Company (MPC): Global VFX and post-production house with film, episodic and advertising work. Competes broadly with Imaginarium on VFX-heavy feature production and increasingly on virtual production stages.
• Framestore: Large UK-headquartered VFX and immersive content house with significant performance capture and virtual production capability across film, episodic, and location-based entertainment. Overlaps with Imaginarium on high-end LED volume and Unreal-based virtual production work.
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM): Lucasfilm-owned VFX and immersive entertainment studio with in-house performance capture, virtual production (ILM StageCraft/Volume) and LED stage capabilities. Operates as a larger incumbent across many of the same franchise and game customers Imaginarium serves.
• Sony Pictures Imageworks: In-house VFX and animation arm of Sony with performance capture and virtual production capabilities, serving live-action features and PlayStation game tie-ins. Overlaps with Imaginarium on motion and facial capture for premium Sony/PlayStation content.

Direct peers

• The Third Floor: Visualisation, virtual production and real-time content studio offering Unreal-based previz and on-set virtual camera services. Competes head-to-head with Imaginarium for live-action film and episodic virtual production engagements.
• Digital Domain: VFX and digital human studio with deep performance capture heritage (Benjamin, Thanos, de-aging work) and virtual production services. A natural rival on digital character creation and facial capture work for major film and game clients.
• Halon Entertainment: Virtual production and real-time visualisation studio specialising in cinematic previs, virtual scouting and Unreal-based on-set work. Directly comparable to Imaginarium's V PROD tools and film/TV capture services.
• Weta FX: New Zealand-based performance capture and VFX studio, long-time collaborator of Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes, Lord of the Rings). Closest direct competitor in actor-driven, optical mocap and virtual production for premium film and game franchises.
• Centroid Motion Capture: Specialist motion capture service provider with Vicon and head-mounted camera capture for film, games and live performance. Operates in the same performance-capture niche as Imaginarium with comparable hardware and deliverable workflows.

Regional players

• Image Engine: Vancouver-based VFX and creature work studio with motion capture and virtual production capability serving Hollywood feature and AAA game work. Comparable craft but geographically anchored to the Vancouver/BC tax-credit cluster rather than Pinewood UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Imaginarium Studios, LTD