Introduction

The world of film and television is in constant motion with technological shifts, tighter deadlines, and the demand for bigger, bolder stories. Few studios embody this balance of creativity and innovation as much as Boxel Studio.

When tasked with delivering high-quality creature animation for Superman & Lois under unprecedented time and budget constraints, Boxel turned to Autodesk Flow Studio (formerly Wonder Studio). The result? A case study in how artificial intelligence (AI) and markerless motion capture are redefining modern production workflows.

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Challenge: High Stakes and Limited Resources

By early 2024, the Hollywood strikes had ended, and productions were ramping up with compressed schedules and reduced budgets. For Boxel Studio, this meant creating 134 complex creature animation shots for the Season 4 finale of Superman & Lois, all within six weeks.

Traditional motion capture methods, requiring full-body suits, dedicated stages, and weeks of turnaround, simply weren’t feasible. The studio needed a smarter, faster solution.

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Solution: AI-Powered Motion Capture with Autodesk Flow Studio

Boxel Studio had already been experimenting with AI-driven motion capture during beta testing with Autodesk Flow Studio. The software’s markerless, machine learning-powered system allowed artists to capture performances with just a camera and convert them into usable motion data within days rather than weeks.

Key benefits included:

• Rapid Previsualization: What once took three weeks could now be done in just a couple of days.
• Seamless Integration: Motion data flowed directly into Unreal Engine, Maya, and Cascadeur, giving animators full flexibility.
• Creative Control: Artists could refine digital doubles and adjust animations in real time.

As Creative Director Freddy Chávez Olmos recalled:

“I still remember the surreal moment watching Autodesk Flow Studio’s first demo. It felt almost too good to be true but testing it with our Superman previsualizations proved the technology was ready.”

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Execution: Collaboration Across Teams

1. VFX and Animation Pipelines

Boxel developed custom tools to retarget proxy assets with Flow Studio’s motion data into production rigs. Animators could then refine the results without starting from scratch.

According to Animation Supervisor Weverton Alves:

“This new approach allowed us to test and refine shots quickly in the offline stage. By the time we reached final animation, we already knew what worked.”

2. Stunt Integration

Instead of motion capture suits, the stunt team performed naturally on set while four witness cameras captured their movements. Stunt Coordinator Rob Hayter emphasized:

“The better the input, the better the output. This workflow gave our performers freedom, and the results spoke for themselves.”

3. Animator Empowerment

Traditionally, a five-second creature shot could take three weeks to hand-animate. With Flow Studio, animators could process their own reference performances and refine them in just two to three days.

As Andres Reyes, Founder and Head of Studio, explained:

“Animators aren’t just technicians; they’re storytellers. By cutting down the heavy lifting, AI gave them more room to focus on nuance and emotion.”

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Results: Efficiency Without Compromise

The numbers tell the story:

• Season 3 Finale: 104 creature shots, 8 weeks, traditional mocap.
• Season 4 Finale: 134 creature shots, 6 weeks, AI motion capture.

Despite tighter deadlines and fewer resources, Boxel delivered 30 more shots in less time, without sacrificing quality.

VFX Producer Matt Gore confirmed:

“Boxel rose to the challenge and devised a system that went beyond anything we’d hoped for in budget, efficiency, and quality.”

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Impact: Redefining Workflows for the Future

Boxel’s work on Superman & Lois demonstrates how AI-powered tools like Autodesk Flow Studio are transforming the industry:

• For stunt teams: Greater freedom of movement without bulky suits or setups.
• For animators: Faster iterations with more focus on artistry.
• For producers: High-quality results within shrinking budgets and schedules.

Perhaps most importantly, it shows how technology and creativity can coexist without compromise.

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Key Takeaways from Boxel Studio’s Workflow

1. Early adoption pays off: Boxel’s willingness to test new technology positioned them to handle high-pressure production demands.

2. Collaboration is key: Success required tight coordination between stunt performers, animators, and technical teams.

3. AI empowers, not replaces: Automation handled repetitive tasks, while human creativity drove storytelling.

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The Future of Storytelling

Boxel Studio’s success with Superman & Lois Season 4 is more than a production win it’s a proof of concept for the future of filmmaking.

As Freddy Chávez Olmos put it:

“We’re living in a new era of endless opportunities. With tools like Autodesk Flow Studio, we’re not just making shots faster we’re opening new doors for how stories can be told.”

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Ready to Transform Your Production Workflow?

Boxel Studio’s success with Superman & Lois proves that AI-powered tools like Autodesk Flow Studio are no longer experimental they’re production-ready. Whether you’re a studio, animator, or creative professional, adopting smarter motion capture workflows can help you deliver faster, more efficient, and higher-quality results.

Explore Autodesk Flow Studio today and see how you can integrate AI motion capture into your next project.