This method of production has been in use since the early days of cinema, especially in animation.
The process was patented [Google Patents] by Max Fleischer in 1917, and consisted of filming live action footage and then tracing over it to create lifelike animation. The technique of tracing over live action is known as rotoscoping.
When in production on Snow White (1939), Walt Disney’s animators filmed live-action reference footage of performers, then used some of their movements as a basis for the beautiful animation.
In later years, the term has been coined to mean the digital tracking of an actor to record all body movements which can then be used to control a digital character in a life-like manner.
A more recent enhancement has been the use of Performance Capture by directors such as Robert Zemeckis or James Cameron to gather a considerable amount more reference data including high levels of facial expression and movement.
Performance Capture Technology – Avatar (2010)
Performance Capture Technology – Weta Digital – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Featuring Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell
Acting for Performance Capture – Workshop (2022)
Jim Henson Digital Puppetry Studio – Sid The Science Kid
Links
More information: The Motion Capture Society