Ulster University animation graduate showcases motion capture technology to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant MP

Ulster University animation graduate Angus Pollock showcased Studio Ulster’s world-class motion capture capabilities today when they welcomed a North Carolina trade delegation to Northern Ireland.

The visit included Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent, alongside business, civic and investment leaders participating in the delegation which was organised by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Hosted at Studio Ulster, the virtual production studio owned by Ulster University, visitors were given an insight into Northern Ireland's growing creative technology sector and the unique combination of commercial production, research, innovation and skills development taking place at the facility.

Now a freelance animator and motion capture performer, Angus graduated from Ulster University in July 2026 with a degree in animation, during which he found a new specialism in motion capture, a technology that records the movements of real people and integrates it, through the use of advanced technology, onto a digital character or object.

Following his demonstration, Ulster University graduate Angus said:

“I’m excited to be back at Studio Ulster today to help showcase these incredible facilities while continuing to build my portfolio in motion capture. As part of my studies at Ulster University, I was lucky to experience different elements of the film production pipeline and make use of the cutting-edge facilities on campus, leading me to find a specialism in motion capture that I am continuing to explore now as a freelancer.

"Through the University I then had the opportunity to get involved in motion capture work at Studio Ulster. It’s such a brilliant space, and having the opportunity to build my knowledge and gain experience in a specialist area like motion capture has been really valuable. I was thrilled to take part in today’s demonstration and showcase what Studio Ulster can do.”

An end-to-end virtual production and creative technology hub, Studio Ulster houses a cutting-edge motion capture stage that is the tallest in Europe, delivering unparalleled performance capture capabilities and accommodating up to six performers simultaneously.

The delegation was also given an opportunity to experience Studio Ulster’s flagship virtual production stage VP1, the most advanced in the world, and were introduced to the work of Humain, an Ulster University spin-out company specialising in scanning technology that creates highly realistic digital humans for use in video games, film, television and animation.

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, said:

“We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State, Baroness Anderson and the full delegation to Studio Ulster and to give them an insight into the talent and capability being developed here.

"Studio Ulster represents one of the routes through which a university can invest to support economic growth – bringing together education, research, innovation and industry to create opportunities in sectors with significant potential for Northern Ireland.

"The experience of recent graduates like Angus demonstrates what that means in practice – developing skills through their studies and having opportunities to apply them using technologies such as motion capture here at Studio Ulster. Our role is not simply to respond to where the economy is today, but to equip our students and graduates to contribute to the industries that will shape its future.

"Through Studio Ulster and our wider work with industry, our ongoing investment ensures that Northern Ireland has both the infrastructure and the skilled talent to capitalise on the continued growth of the creative industries.”