21st February 2026
Starting with a remote setup, the Barbie Doll Adventures team produced full seasons of animation from multiple locations. With Xsens inertial motion capture, every performance – from dance numbers to introducing new characters – was captured with precision.
Challenge
With a lean team, fast turnarounds, and lengthy approval cycles, Barbie Doll Adventures needed a motion capture solution that could deliver accurate, character-driven performances efficiently.
Solution
Xsens inertial motion capture technology gave performers the freedom to suit up quickly, capture data in minutes, and see results live on character rigs. Directors and clients could review shots instantly and make adjustments without impacting the production schedule.
Key takeaways
- Real-time previs: Instant on-screen feedback turned decisions around in hours.
- Performance fidelity: Subtle nuances, from character eyelines to beveled feet, translated cleanly to each character.
- Dance-ready workflow: Durable suits and quick setup enabled complex, syncopated choreography across music video segments.
Streamlined production
The Barbie Doll Adventures team worked to a unique production workflow: asset approvals took time, but once cleared, the motion capture crew could complete an entire episode in under a week. Xsens made that pace possible, offering the flexibility to move from calibration to capture in minutes. With no need for cameras or stages, performers could get straight into recording while directors and clients refined performances together in real-time.
This workflow proved especially powerful during the pandemic, when everything had to be completed remotely. Over Zoom, producers and animators could watch live feeds of characters performing in the team’s proprietary software, suggesting tweaks on the spot.
“We could implement any feedback given from clients like, ‘Let’s have Barbie react in this sequence and break away from the choreography for a beat,' and process the change instantly,” recalls Briana Marin, former professional ballerina (Dance Theatre of Harlem), turned Motion Capture Director and Performer. “What would normally require weeks of storyboarding, revisions, and resources from clients became an agile process completed in a single session. It was an efficiency that kept the show on schedule despite our small team.”
Motion capture performances shaping Barbie’s expressive characters.
Defining characters through movement
Character authenticity was central to Barbie Doll Adventures. The show’s two leads, Malibu and Brooklyn, had to feel distinct not only in appearance but in body language and personality. Xsens’ fidelity enabled performers to craft those nuances through posture, energy, and subtle gestures. Malibu’s optimistic, California-rooted warmth came through in an expressive upper body and energetic movements, while Brooklyn’s grounded confidence was reflected in more deliberate, centered performances.
“The accuracy of the eyeline via the head sensor was incredible,” says Briana. “We spent hours refining looks and gestures because those tiny details are what make a character feel alive. Even small adjustments, such as testing new hairstyles or costumes, could be tested live with clients watching. This ability to preview and refine instantly gave our animators reliable data and my performers the confidence that their artistic choices carried through to the final render.”
Once a character’s attributes were approved by a client and imported into the proprietary software, performers could see their movements translated into a 3D avatar. This proved empowering for those new to motion capture, enabling them to assess the results of their choreography in real time.
Briana Marin & Eileen Harman (Choreographers) wearing the Xsens Link motion capture for Barbie Doll Adventures.
Inclusive storytelling
Barbie Doll Adventures placed inclusivity at the heart of its storytelling, introducing new characters including a blind Barbie, a neurodivergent Barbie, and others that reflected its diverse audience. Bringing these characters to life required motion that was lifelike as well as respectful – details like the correct angle of a mobility cane had to be captured with care.
“Xsens always delivered,” Briana reflects. “It was durable, responsive, and accurate enough to carry the weight of inclusivity and choreography at the same time. The detail in each movement was truly unbelievable throughout the entire process, too. People recognised the character I was playing just by the way my arm moved.”
By combining inclusivity with technical precision, Barbie Doll Adventures showed how motion capture can go beyond efficiency to elevate storytelling itself. With Xsens at the core of production, the team captured performances that were not only accurate but also full of personality, ensuring every viewer could see themselves reflected on screen.
Check out Malibu and Brooklyn in action dancing to “Puppy Party,” directed by Briana Marin with choreography and performance by Eileen Harman. Captured with Xsens motion capture technology.
Briana’s next project continues into the Mattel doll franchise directing Monster High's animated version of the iconic ‘Fright Song.’ This new adaptation is centered around global girl group KATSEYE, with choreography and motion capture performance by Eileen Harman. You can watch the official animated music video of the 'Fright Song' here.
Discover Xsens Inertial motion capture products.
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