Like lightning: Calibre creates a bizarre cast of digital characters in record time for the live-action television show Ace Lightning.(Broadcast)

Despite the capabilities of state-of-the-art animation software and talented computer artists, starring roles in weekly live-action television shows have been virtually nonexistent for digital characters. This is because of the daunting production logistics and formidable creative arm technical challenges imposed by the medium's limited budgets and tightly compressed shooting schedules. However, a digital cast of computer game characters in the new children's television series Ace Lightning is redressing that situation, and in doing so, is paving the way for more virtual actor roles (see "A New Hybrid," pg. 44).

Now airing in the UK and Canada, and set to debut ...