Huron to Hollywood: War for the Planet of the Apes with Jesse Sturdy

Jesse Sturdy behind the scenes on War for the Planet of the Apes.

The Huron to Hollywood film series celebrates professionals from Huron County working in the film and television industry! Each Huron to Hollywood night includes a screening of their films, followed by a conversation with the creatives about their work and careers! If you love film, have ever wondered how movies are made behind the scenes, or are curious about the careers that exist in film and media, join us at the Museum this spring!

On April 11, we will be screening the Hollywood blockbuster War for the Planet of the Apes, with special guest Jesse Sturdy, the film’s facial motion capture technician. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A with Sturdy at about 8:45 p.m. who will be joining remotely from Vancouver, B.C. This event is included with regular museum admission (FREE for Museum Members or with your Huron County Library Card). Pre-registration is not required; seating in the theatre is available on a first-come, first-serve basis within a limited capacity. Films are rated 14A and are not appropriate for younger audiences.

About the film: The War for the Planet of the Apes features human actors as ape characters through motion-capture technology. Andy Serkis, probably uncontested as the actor most renowned for his motion-capture performances, stars as Caesar the Ape. Stay for the Q&A to find out how motion capture works behind the scenes, and for what it’s like to work in the visual effects industry.

About the Creator: Originally from Goderich Township (now part of Central Huron), Jesse Sturdy is a visual effects expert who has worked on film, television, video games, and also live sporting events. Jesse began his career in the Broadcast & Media program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and went on to earn a diploma in 3D Animation and Visual Effects from Vancouver Film School. Throughout his career Jesse has worked with  teams constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology.  His professional work has included Performance Capture, 3D Animation, Video Production, and Digital Compositing. His other credits include Star Trek Beyond and The BFG.