The big factor behind the success of the revitalized "Planet of the Apes" series -- aside from the movies being, you know, good -- has been the technological advances that the effects team at WETA has been able to bring to ape effects.

The motion capture technology, combined with performances from actors like Andy Serkis and Toby Kebell, has created apes that the audience not only believes but empathizes with.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" brought with it new challenges for WETA, and the behind-the-scenes featurette above (via IGN) offers a good look at what the effects company did to up the scale for the upcoming epic.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" opens in theaters on July 11.