Zoe Saldana and Andy Serkis have voiced their frustration over the Academy Awards’ disregard for motion capture performances, despite the immense skill and effort involved. Both actors, known for their groundbreaking roles in motion capture-heavy films, have expressed disappointment that the Oscars do not fully recognize this form of acting.
Saldana, who portrays Neytiri in the Avatar franchise, shared her feelings in a recent interview, describing it as “deflating” when her work is overlooked, especially after pouring “120% of yourself” into a role. She highlighted that while she is okay with not winning or being nominated, being “minimized and completely disregarded” is hurtful. Saldana also pushed back against the notion that her performance is merely a product of CGI, emphasizing her acting craft on set and questioning whether she participates in such roles for the approval of others or because of her passion for the work.
James Cameron, the director of Avatar and Titanic, expressed his admiration for Saldana’s talent, comparing her to Academy Award-winning actors, and criticized the Oscars for not acknowledging her contributions. He praised her ability to seamlessly shift between regal and ferocious personalities, something he believes should be recognized.
Similarly, Andy Serkis, a pioneer in motion capture acting known for his roles as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and Caesar in Planet of the Apes, echoed Saldana’s sentiments. Serkis remains hopeful that the Oscars will eventually recognize CGI performances, particularly voice acting and motion capture. He revealed that emails have been sent to the Academy, urging them to broaden their understanding of acting and consider motion capture performances in future nominations.