Katarzyna Petru
The following text is a translation and adaptation of the Q&A published by the service FlatpanelsHD. TrueCut Motion is increasingly marking its presence in Hollywood. Motion grading technology has already been used in the biggest cinematic productions of recent years, and with the premieres of Dolby Vision 2 and HDR10+ Advanced, which introduce new approaches to adaptive motion enhancement, the topic is once again coming to the forefront. The editorial team of FlatpanelsHD spoke with Pixelworks about the future of TrueCut Motion. Richard Miller, the president of TrueCut, answered the questions.
What is TrueCut Motion and why is it needed at all?
TrueCut Motion is a tool for filmmakers to precisely shape the appearance of motion on screen – the company refers to this process as “motion grading”. Unlike traditional high frame rate, known from films such as Gemini Man or The Hobbit, and in contrast to motion smoothing performed on the TV side, motion grading takes place in post-production and is fully controlled by the creators.
The technology allows for independent adjustment of how the motion of various elements in the frame is presented – for example, the actor's face or dynamic details in the background. In practice, it works similarly to colour grading, but it pertains to motion rather than colour. TrueCut Motion is used both to reduce judder and motion blur, which become more noticeable on large HDR screens, and as a creative tool, allowing a film to have a specific visual character.
Does TrueCut work directly with filmmakers?
Yes – and this is a key element of the entire process. Motion grading is always carried out in collaboration with filmmakers to ensure conformity with their artistic intent. This applies to various projection formats – IMAX, Dolby Cinema, other premium screens, as well as 2D, 3D and home release versions. The goal of TrueCut is to ensure that the exact look of motion approved by the filmmakers is faithfully reproduced across all platforms.
How many films have already used TrueCut Motion?
The technology has been used in twelve major film productions, with more titles yet to premiere. The first project was the theatrical re-release of Avatar, followed by selected scenes in Avatar: The Way of Water from 2022. Recently, TrueCut Motion has also appeared in films such as The Wild Robot, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Wicked: For Good.
TrueCut Motion appeared in the credits of the film Wicked: For Good. What can you reveal?
For this production, Universal Pictures invited TrueCut to prepare motion grading for premium screens – including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and Cinity. The work focused solely on theatrical versions intended for the largest and most technologically advanced auditoriums.
Why is Universal so keen on motion grading?
According to Richard Miller, the main reason is the expectations of the cinemas themselves. With the development of premium screens and large formats, the issues of judder and motion blur are becoming increasingly apparent, issues that were previously less noticeable. Universal strongly supports cinema operators and takes the quality of the cinematic experience very seriously. Additionally, PLF screens generate an increasing share of box office revenues, so investing in image quality simply pays off.
Why do viewers in China seem more open to HFR?
According to TrueCut, viewers around the world respond well to motion grading – often without even realising they are watching a film with enhanced motion, which is the best possible scenario. China was the first market to strongly promote the TrueCut Motion brand, particularly in conjunction with the Cinity format, regarded as one of the most advanced PLF systems in the world.
How does TrueCut Motion differ from Dolby Authentic Motion?
Dolby, using image smoothing systems built into televisions, addresses the real issue of visible motion artifacts on modern screens. However, TrueCut approaches the topic differently. Motion grading executed and approved by filmmakers in post-production – and then used in cinemas – offers a greater guarantee of preserving the creators' intentions than image processing on the television's side. Importantly, TrueCut Motion is already functioning in cinemas, so its transfer to the home would be a natural extension of the cinematic workflow.
What is the status of TrueCut Motion home releases?
The growing interest in cinema versions naturally leads to questions about the home market. TrueCut confirms that talks are underway with streaming services and device manufacturers. At this moment, the only consumer device supporting TrueCut Motion is the Apple Vision Pro. It is here that you can watch Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water in motion graded versions, both via Apple TV and Disney+.
What can we expect in 2026 and beyond?
TrueCut is heavily investing in the development of technology, and 2026 is shaping up to be the busiest year in the company's history. When it comes to the home market, advanced certification discussions are ongoing with a key ecosystem partner, which – if successful – could significantly accelerate the proliferation of technology on additional devices. The long-term goal remains the same: to preserve the cinematic intention of creators even outside the cinema.
