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Monday, September 30, 2013

Update On I, FRANKENSTEIN: New Image And Discussion With James McQuaide EP And VFX Supervisor!


Had a discussion with my friend James McQuaide recently about I, FRANKENSTEIN - he's Executive Producer and Visual Effects Supervisor on the movie and let me tell you this guy knows his stuff. Last time I saw him was on the set of UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING where he took me under his wing and even showed me his complex previz material for UA on an iPad. Then I had the distinct pleasure in watching them shoot what I just saw in concept.

3D is very important to James and to that end they are again implementing LIDAR (also used on UA) to accurately capture the sets of the I, FRANKENSTEIN production. I saw how they use LIDAR first hand on UA, sweeping around in a 360 degree fashion and digitally representing everything. They move the machine around to various locations on the set to capture all angles of objects too of course. The point is, Prime Focus (who are the 3D post-production conversion house for IF) will not only have the 2D footage to work with but also the LIDAR data, allowing for them to literally see behind objects on set and accurately apply depth. LIDAR not only provides 3D geometric information, but also RGB which can all be applied on the 2D optical image for post-production.

Says James on LIDAR:  "Loved it so much that we purchased a Faro Focus 3D (which we used daily on IF)."

I firmly believe this is the future of 3D conversion - LIDAR or some derivative. Mark my words.

Continues James: "We shot and posted it all in Australia (including all VFX). Think it's pretty great. Comes out in January. We're in the process of converting it with Prime Focus and it's looking very good. All of the VFX facilities have provided layers, effects, etc. to ensure that the 3D is spot-on - we have quite a few enormous VFX shots that would be a nightmare to convert without elements. We also LIDAR-ed most every set which is, again, aiding the accuracy of the conversion."

"...Prime Focus has the advantage of working on a picture that is not in flux; they've been working for months now and have (1-2 months) still to go; it was an imperative before we committed to the conversion that there was sufficient time; I, FRANKENSTEIN is a terrific picture and deserves the kind of conversion quality that only time can buy."

By the way, they're already talking about an I, FRANKENSTEIN sequel so I'm expecting Lionsgate is very happy with the results thus far. Can't wait to see it! More when I get it.  

Stay tuned for the upcoming I, FRANKENSTEIN trailer dropping on Friday!

I. FRANKENSTEIN opens in 3D on January 24, 2014.

Image Source: Machinima


Saturday, September 28, 2013

GRAVITY Mobile Game Puts You in the Movie! For iOS And Android


At 372 miles above Earth, the view is breathtaking, but life is impossible. Whatever you do: Don't let go.
Tim here. There's a sick new FREE mobile game tied in with GRAVITY, which hits theaters next week! I've tried the game and it is challenging and a perfect marketing tool for the film. It's a lot of fun and makes me wish that more Stereo 3D mobile devices were on the market to play this game in stereo… because this game would be insanely fun in 3D!

Do you have what it takes to survive in the vast emptiness of space? Download the app to find out:
iOS: http://bit.ly/iOSDontLetGo
Android: http://bit.ly/AndroidDLG

Please note:
iOS requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch (4th and 5th generation), iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4 and iPad Mini.
Andriod requires Android 2.3 and up.

Gravity hits theaters this coming Friday, October 4th!

TIS3DC 2013: Jean Pierre-Jeunet Skype Interview & Demetri Portelli and Ben Gervais Workshop

Hello everyone, Tim here, and I've got my next post from the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference (TIS3DC) that covers the Skype interview with Writer, Director, Producer Jean Pierre-Jeanet on The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet and the workshop with his Stereographer Demetri Portelli and 3D Production Systems Engineer Ben Gervais. At the end of this post is a repost of the trailer from our earlier post. Again news on North American distribution on the film will hopefully be coming soon.

First, the 12-minute preview we got of the film, which had unfinished color and needed some additional work, was amazing! This movie looks like it truly is a treat for fans of Jean Pierre-Jeunet. It is going to be a simply magical movie. The young lead actor playing T.S. Spivet (Kyle Catlett) was there in person for the Skype interview as a surprise for Pierre-Jeunet, and his performance in the film is quite incredible. This young man has the potential to be a big star. And although Kyle has seen 3D before, this is his favorite film yet.

Pierre-Jeunet had a stereo view-master growing up, and believes that all his previous films could have been 3D. He thought in 3D for Spivet, from the script and conception all the way through his storyboards. In his storyboards he used shadows as a means to show the 3D and did all he could to show the depth of each shot. He worked hard to avoid bad 3D with Demetri. He had all kinds of specific notes for the 3D in blue coloring to make it easier for the 3D team to know what he was thinking. Pierre-Jeunet simply had to say "3D is not for lazy people." No truer statement has ever been said. As well as Demetri's later statement: "It's important to explore the full depth."

"When I see the film in 3D… WOW! I feel pity that people have to see it in 2D." - Jean Pierre-Jeunet
The movie was shot using the first ARRI ALEXA M on the Cameron | Pace rigs, and Pierre-Jeunet thought that the ARRI RAW is fantastic. He boastfully claimed "film is dead" and that he loves digital, especially because you don't have to reload the camera every 12-minutes. He only died twice because of some of the waiting on 3D: it's not easy and heavy to shoot 3D. Ben Gervais and his team did all they could to make it easier by constructing the 3D Production System on the back of a truck so that they could quickly move around. They did a full week of tests to see what would work in 3D, and Pierre-Jeunet said that "3D is experimental" and that "3D will be free when we don't need glasses." However, what Pierre-Jeunet loved was that 3D uses short lenses, and it's Pierre-Jeunet's style to shoot with short lenses. It was a match made in heaven.

 

They edited the film in 2D, but checked the 3D constantly, and found that they didn't have to change much to make the edit work in 3D. Ben and his team put together every shot on set for Demetri and Pierre-Jeunet to view what had been shot. This was a wonderful way for them to make sure that the 3D worked in each scene, not just for one shot, but all the shots in the scene. It created a great work-flow that helped ensure that they got what they wanted/needed. From talking with Ben it feels as though this is a method that will filter into more productions, which makes me happy to hear.

Without the pre-editing on set there could have been unwanted surprises in post, and for this Pierre-Jeunet was thankful. On a personal note, I spoke with Ben separately and have to say this is an intelligent and hard-working individual, he also worked on Hugo, Pacific Rim, 47 Ronin, and the coming X-Men: Days of Future Past. His pre-editing technique has been used on each of those sets, and it's clearly an important element that makes digital filmmaking trumping film.

Now when it comes to conversion Pierre-Jeunet stressed that he doesn't like 2D to 3D conversion, and mentioned that his favorite 3D films thus far have been Avatar, Hugo, and Life of Pie. He shot for 3D and luckily it came out working great in 2D. Demetri mentioned the importance of trust between the director and the stereographer. Interestingly it was Demetri who sought out Pierre-Jeunet while working on Hugo about how great his style was built for 3D. Demetri emphasized that he learned from the master filmmaker to work with his style to work in 3D. "3D should ebb and flow like music" and it's this philosophy that makes Demetri's stereography so brilliant. He mentioned that "it's good to try lens flares in 3D," and emphasized the importance of being careful. Demetri loved the ARRI RAW for the night shoots because it contained little to no gain, which was great to help with the depth cues. He says that in SPIVET there are good depth cues at night.
During the workshop that Demetri and Ben did on Day 4, they shared a lot of inside information about all the projects they've worked on, including more details from SPIVET. They showed the trailer for 47 Ronin, and as well spoke about that film.

Demetri and Ben are a team, and Demetri mentioned that when he was brought on to one project he asked if he could bring a team, which meant Ben and a few others. The emphasis on the stereo team was an important one. The stereographer needs to be focused on the creative aspect of stereography, while Ben and his team dealt with the technical. It's another unit for a production, but an important one. One on one with them you got the sense of who to ask which question, and the answers were almost always shared by both. Demetri understands so much about the creative use that when he didn't have to worry about the technical, and Ben took care to make the work-flow streamlined, it allowed for both to present the director and director of photography options to make their vision what they want it to be.

They spoke about working on Hugo and working for Scorsese, and some of the challenges they encountered and how they overcame them. What's fascinating is the cables that had to be carried behind the Steadicam operator. They worked with the ARRI ALEXA on that shoot, and it's the preferred camera of these guys. They didn't have negative feelings towards the RED Epic, but they preferred the ALEXA, and I can't help but agree from my experience. The emphasis on data and work-flow in the conference had to deal with higher resolutions, and higher frame rates, and Ben mentioned that the Pablo (download brochure) has it's work cut out dealing with those higher resolutions and frame rates. Even at 24 fps the tools we use in Post-Production are at their limits; it takes a lot for current machines to playback at full resolution and frame rate. This is good and bad. Naturally, you want your post-production tools to handle the work-flow at it's best quality, but at the same time it keeps what you're working on at a low enough resolution for preview so that pirating can't happen. Still when the mobile tools of a production team and post-production team enables them to work at the fullest resolution and the max number of frames for a frame rate, then filmmaking will be at it's finest hour on a tech level.

That brings us back to story. The most important facet of the movie-going experience. Demetri implied that all his stereo techniques are for a single purpose: to aid the story and character development. It can be seen in Hugo, and from the preview of The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet it looks as though the stereography is used in the same way. Yesterday Jeremy Zimmer expressed his opinion that technology has hurt the story-telling, but that there's about to be a shift back towards an emphasis on good story-telling. From what Demetri said, and the why Pierre-Jeunet has talked about his love for the stereo format, the 3D in films are working in unison with the concept of great story-telling. Do the big franchises that the studios put out need better stories? Sure, but at least the individuals on the technology level understand how to use the tools to work in symmetry with the story.

A huge thanks has to be given to Demetri Portelli and Ben Gervais for attending the conference, and as well Jean Pierre-Jeunet for appearing via Skype. Don't forget that in the future he'll be able to do that in 3D! More posts coming soon on the TIS3DC from me…

SPIVET TRAILER:

Friday, September 27, 2013

MUST WATCH: New IMAX Featurette For Cuaron's GRAVITY, New BTS Shots!

Click Images To Enlarge
If you've been living under a rock the past year then perhaps you have an excuse but otherwise you should be well aware of the 3D event of the year: Alfonso Cuaron's GRAVITY.

The weight of this movie (if you'll pardon the pun) is staggering. The realism. The extended shots. The effects. The 3D. So when Cuaron says he's been working years on this project, he means he has been working YEARS. And it shows.

The behind the scenes images feature Sandra Bullock and George Clooney decked out in their space suits with Bullock in a couple of underwater shots. It seems Cuaron and his team used water to simulate the weightlessness of space in some capacity. I'm not entirely sure - but it makes sense.

The featurette is from IMAX so obviously it will tout the format as a stellar way of seeing the movie and I agree. Seek out the largest 3D screen possible in your area and nail down tickets because I'm almost certain you'll want to go see this thing again.

You MAY want to avoid looking at how Cuaron has done some of these shots as they could conceivably affect the magic of the movie. Not for me, but perhaps some may feel that way so proceed with caution. Personally I love behind the scenes shots and featurettes! Perhaps it's the filmmaker in me. :-)

Enjoy the featurette!

Click Images To Enlarge
Here's the storyline for the movie:
GRAVITY, directed by Oscar nominee Alfonso Cuaron, stars Oscar winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in a heart-pounding thriller that pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space. Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney). But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth… and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

GRAVITY will be released on October 4. Yes, NEXT weekend! It's finally here...




Sources: Entertainment Weekly (Images) | IMAX (Video)

Tim's Initial Thoughts And Overview of TIS3DC

Hello everyone, Tim here, and I've got a few posts from the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference (TIS3DC) that will happen through the next week as I collect the notes and images together into Dreamweaver. This first one will cover the big news bits from the second day, and the third day and fourth day will get individual, combined, and special posts, and the big news coming from The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet will be getting it's own post, including a repost of the trailer. News on North American distribution on that film will hopefully be coming soon.

The first day for me was the second, and the opening night's remarks were witnessed by Jim Dorey as I was delayed by traffic crossing the border on a Friday via automobile and checking into my hotel. There are some future posts that will cover specific notes that are in connection with one another. The third day included a special IMAX screening (Born to be Wild), and a preview of a new IMAX documentary (Island of the Lemurs: Madagascar), that included the producer sharing a lot of great bits about the experiences on both. Jim's panel was the third day in the evening following great previews from several key speakers, including the Skype interview with Jean Pierre-Jeanet and his stereographer Demetri Portelli, who was there live in person. The fourth day was a technical day that included a workshop with Portelli and his 3D Production Systems Engineer Ben Gervais, HFR footage was discussed and shown, and again we can't stress how much the stereo industry likes HFR, but research seems to be proving that variable frame rates for playback could be important. More on that in a later post. Brightness was a key talk…

The biggest sense I got was a disappointment in the theatrical system because of the worldwide lack of proprietorship to give the best experience. On a technical level it's being provided, but staff is looked upon poorly for when there's an issue with any technical issue. Even Jean Pierre-Jeanut mentioned during his Skype interview a lacking willingness in France to upgrade the systems and bulbs, plus he displayed preference to a specific system. The greatest hope is for the auto-stereoscopic displays that are on their way. Since certain people couldn't exactly say certain things about certain companies, I don't want to venture into repeating their off-handed comments about auto-stereoscopic tablets that are near. However, the experience I've had with autostereoscopic screens on MasterImages preview devices was good enough that we'll all be in for treats when the public gets their hands on them. By the way, most of us understand people watch short videos on smart phones and will expect stereo content for them. Stereo on phones will have less of a stereo depth because the screen size will always impede it, but it is possible to scale something for that level. Resolution will dictate screen size, and for the big theatrical experience resolution seems like it's going to keep climbing.

Surround Sound is going to get it's own post, as there are some theatrical developments happening with Dolby Atmos and more. The honor of coolest use of PowerPoint/Keynote software for presentation goes to Julian Pinn, who used a method of zooming in to a specific section of his whole presentation keynotes. It reminded me of some of the things that are possible using pinch zooming and scrolling on mobile devices. Needless to say there were further animations within and it overall did a great job giving everyone an understanding that sound isn't done evolving yet. Some buddies of mine in the industry will find this a great post when it comes.

Overall the conference was a great success, and the team who put it together should be proud. A full list of those individuals can be found on their site. Special thanks must be given to them for allowing so many industry to come together. Look out for the next post, which will be on it's way soon.

One final note of a rumor worth repeating: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug may be getting a trailer in front of Gravity on October 4th! Many are excited for the audience's reaction to the stereo in that movie, so a 3D trailer for DOS seems likely since it's the last major Warner Bros. release before the release of DOS.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

First Theatrical Trailer For Disney's FROZEN

I had the pleasure of seeing footage from Disney's FROZEN at the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference this past weekend (more on that conference coming up!) and it looked amazing in 3D. The stereoscopic department head for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Robert Neuman, gave an in-depth review of the process that he has in place for his department - including a painstaking approach to ensuring the proper attribution of positive and negative parallax.

Obviously you can't see this footage in 3D here, but you will be in for a treat at the theater should they show it in a pre-roll for you. The trailer is below.

Here's the boilerplate for you:
Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind “Tangled” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” presents “Frozen,” a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. The film is directed by Chris Buck (“Tarzan,” “Surf’s Up”) and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, “Wreck-It Ralph”), who also wrote the screenplay. It is produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Princess and the Frog”). Featuring original songs from Tony® winner Robert Lopez (“The Book of Mormon,” “Avenue Q”) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit,” “Winnie the Pooh”), and an original score by Christophe Beck (“The Muppets,” Oscar®-winning short “Paperman”), “Frozen” hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 27, 2013.

Website: Disney.com/Frozen
Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyFrozen
Twitter: Twitter.com/DisneyAnimation
Genre: Animated Comedy/Adventure
Rating: TBD
U.S. Release Date: November 27, 2013
Voice Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk, CiarĂ¡n Hinds
Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Producer: Peter Del Vecho
Screenplay by: Jennifer Lee



THOR: THE DARK WORLD - New TV Spot, Posters For Heimdall And Malekith

How about an update from Asgard? We've got two new posters and a TV Spot from the brain-trust at Marvel and I'm liking them!

The posters reflect a touch of classic artistry and a stunning lack of... sparks. Going out on a limb aren't they? Frankly I like the clean lines of the work. More of the same please! The first poster depicts Heimdall (played by Idris Elba) in his standard guardian pose with death reigning down to Asgard. Malekith (played by Christopher Eccleston) is in mid-pose placing his mask on during an invasion it seems.

The TV Spot (revealed during AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.) is very engaging. Loving how Jane Foster played by Natalie Portman is playing a much more important role this time around. It humanizes the Asgard environment which will be key for continued suspension of disbelief.

Here's the official storyline for the movie:
Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s Thor and Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

THOR: THE DARK WORLD opens in 3D on November 8. More info when I get it!



Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Exclusive Interview: Ted Kenney, 3D Producer on ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US



I had the pleasure of talking with Ted Kenney of 3ality Technica recently about the release of ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US. Ted was a 3D Producer on the concert movie, director Morgan Spurlock's first.

Ted worked closely with Doug Merrifield (Executive Producer) and Sony in getting the project ready for audiences. Doug has worked on many large 3D concert films as a producer and paired with Sony who are of course a major player in 3D, the show was well planned and brought together.

Ted and I discuss the success of the movie, Morgan Spurlock, the band members, pre-production and of course the technical aspects of shooting the concert movie. 

From Wikipedia: Ted Kenney is the current Director of Production at 3ality Technica, and advises clients in every aspect of the stereoscopic 3D (S3D) production process. His recent achievements have earned him the label as the industry's leading producer/director for S3D live broadcast. Ted's background in the industry encompasses a wide range of entertainment media. From TV, film, documentaries, sports, comedy, concerts and, S3D live broadcasts. Ted is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and received his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Florida State University.

This list of credits includes reality TV's show, MTV's The Real World. Ted produced five seasons of The Real World (Paris, San Diego, Philadelphia, Austin and Key West). Two of these seasons were the top two rated seasons of the twenty plus season run of MTV's flagship show.

Ted has experience in live broadcast productions such as Radio City's Halftime Show for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII, The Centennial Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, ESPN's 50th Anniversary Special, President Clinton's Inaugural Gala, and even directing FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer.

So here is the conversation with Ted (about 28 minutes) and well worth the time to listen!






ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US currently sits with $58 million in worldwide box office receipts and has already surpassed KATY PERRY: PART OF ME and JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE.

Looking forward to see Jennifer Lopez's 3D concert movie and future projects from Ted, 3ality Technica and Sony!



Click photos to enlarge

Monday, September 16, 2013

Jean-Pierre Jeunet Added To Line-up At Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference Sept 20-23

AmĂ©lie director will preview 'The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet' in 3D with a live Q and A with ‘Spivet’ Stereographer Demetri Portelli and 3DFLIC lead filmmaker Ali Kazimi.

TORONTO, CANADA – The Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference September 20 – 23, 2013 has added French Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet to the line-up and will feature the North American Sneak Peak screening of 12 minutes from his new 3D film 'The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet'. Jeunet will address the conference live via Skype from Paris and will be joined live on stage by his Canadian Stereographer Demetri Portelli (Hugo, 47 Ronin) to discuss Jeunet’s unique style of 3D storytelling.

For Conference Registration visit: http://www.tis3dc.ca

Based on the bestselling novel The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen, 'The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet' is directed by Academy Award-nominated Jeunet, who also wrote the screenplay with his longtime collaborator Guillaume Laurent. The movie is a colorful coming of age story, as a peculiar and brilliant 12-year-old T.S. Spivet runs away from his dysfunctional family's Montana ranch to accept an award from the Smithsonian Institute. The film marks the first time director Jeunet's striking cinematic visions will be exhibited in IMAX 3D.

The film stars two-time Academy Award-nominees Helena Bonham Carter as T.S. Spivet's mom, and Judy Davis as the Smithsonian director. The lead role of T.S. Spivet is portrayed by newcomer Kyle Catlett. The film will be released in Europe by Gaumont in October 2013 and The Weinstein Company in the U.S.

'Spivet' Official Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqDjJ3P5YME

The Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference is a unique international gathering of creative, scientific and business minds discussing, discovering and inspiring innovation in “Stereoscopic 3D” Cinema. Hosted by 3DFLIC, the 2nd annual event will take place September 20th - 23rd, at TIFF Bell Light Box in Toronto, Canada.

The International Speaker line-up includes:
Catherine Owens (U23D, Sculpting Space), Robert Neuman (Disney), Demetri Portelli (Stereographer - Hugo, 47 Ronin), Graham Clark (Stereo D), Stephen Low (IMAX), Hugh Murray (IMAX), Marty Banks (Berkeley), Andrew Watson (NASA), April Mullen (Dead before Dawn), Eric Tessier (Les Pee Wee 3D), Matt Cowan (Entertainment Technology Consultants Canada Inc.), Drew Fellman (Born to be Wild), Jim Chabin (International 3D Society), Laurie Wilcox (York University), Robert Allison (York University), Ali Kazimi (York University), Buzz Hayes (True Image Company, Inc), Gordon Harris (Christie), Munro Fergusson (Director, NFB), James Stewart (Director - Foxed!) , Jonathan Barker (Flight of the Butterflies 3D), Paul Salvini (Christie), Liane Kotler (TVO Doc Studio), Tony Gunnarsson (IHS Screen Digest), Florian Maier (Stereotec), Bill White (3D International Media Partners), Phillipe Baylaucq (Ora), Julian Pinn (Dolby), Tim Dashwood (Dashwood Cinema Solutions), Peter Lude (SMPTE), Brian Cullen (University of Waterloo), Jeremy Lloyd (Marketing Magazine), Jim Dorey (Editor-in-Chief MarketSaw), Adam May (Vision 3D), Mark Stevens (Redlab), Ken McNeil (Creative Post Inc.), Peter Armstrong (byDeluxe), Ian Herring (Parallax Films), M. Bove (MIT), N. Schneider (MTBS.com), Vincent Chapdelaine-Couture (McGill), Roy Anthony (Christie), Cristin Bargheil (Side Effects Software), Eric Deren (Dzignlight Studios), Ihor Petelycky (Spatial View), Alex Farrell (Director, Media and Entertainment, RBC), Piotr Didyk (MIT), Stephen Palmisano (University Wollongong), Inna Tsirlin (York University), Denise Quesnel (Emily Carr University), Maria Lantin (Emily Carr University), John Helliker (Sheridan College, SIRT), Andrew Hogue (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), Bernhard Riecke (Simon Fraser University)

ABOUT 3DFLIC:
3D FLIC (3D Film Innovation Consortium) is housed at York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Bringing together a uniquely interdisciplinary team of scientists, filmmakers and industry leaders, 3D FLIC (3D Film Innovation Consortium) bridges fundamental research in stereoscopic perception with the development of stereoscopic 3D (S3D) film language and production, while building the capacity of the S3D production clusters in the Greater Toronto Area.
For more information about 3D FLIC visit: http://3dflic.ca

I'll be moderating the panel covering the topic: 3D CREATION ON A 2D BUDGET on September 22nd @ 6pm at the TIS3DC. If you can make it - I'd love to talk with you about 3D and filmmaking!

3-D Visionary Catherine Owens Teams With 3doo As Creative Advisor


NEW YORK, NY (September 17, 2013) – 3doo, Inc. today announced a formal venture collaboration with award-winning film director Catherine Owens, principal director and co-producer of “U2 3D,” one of the most successful live-action 3-D films to date, to advance global digital distribution of 3-D and Ultra HD media content through a range of 3doo projects.

“When I first heard about 3doo and their Player App’s unique and revolutionary ability to upload and stream 3-D content to any 3-D enabled device, I thought, “Eureka!,” said Owens. “This is what everyone I know working in 3-D has been waiting for: a single marketplace where 3-D filmmakers and content providers can control what happens to their work, and 3-D users can capture and enjoy 3-D content on their own devices."

“Helping to make 3doo’s media platform more than just an app, but a genuinely worldwide digital community for 3-D producers and consumers who want to learn, share and connect on all aspects of 3-D film making, is an exciting opportunity for me,” added Owens, whose pioneering “U2 3D” project – filmed and edited before “Avatar” – was acclaimed by the New York Times as “the first IMAX movie that deserves to be called a work of art.”

Owens is known for her collaborative work as the director of visual content for U2 on their last five world tours. In April 2010, she traveled to India to make a 3-D documentary about Kumbh Mela, the largest spiritual gathering in the world. In 2012, she completed her third 3-D film project, “Sculpting Space,” a documentary film on the Irish dancer Colin Dunne.

3doo is the only company in the world currently operating a global 3-D media distribution platform. As the only source for all 3-D content and the only complete 3-D eco-system, 3doo is the solution for easily connecting thousands of 3-D media producers with the rapidly expanding mass market of tens of millions of 3-D end users around the world in an open marketplace.

“We are thrilled to have Catherine Owens contribute her innovative impulses to the 3doo team as a creative content advisor,” said Ingo Nadler, President of 3doo, Inc. “Part of our mission is to bring together the greatest achievers in the 3-D and Ultra Media industries to advance the ongoing breakthroughs in global 3-D media distribution. Catherine brings a tremendous record of artistic and commercial success in the development of 3-D technology and as a director with an artist’s unique perspective and high-value understanding for what is needed to produce quality 3-D.”

Nadler stated that Owens, as a member of 3doo’s Advisory Board, will also help guide strategic development in areas such as content growth, 3-D education, and design and application use.

As an active member of the International 3D and Advanced Imaging Society, Owens will be presenting one of the society’s 3-D technology and best new product awards at a Sept. 18 ceremony at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Owens will also be the keynote speaker at the second Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference on Sept. 20. Her presentation will focus on the education of young 3-D film makers and the transformational advances taking place within the 3-D film industry.

The 3doo Player App, recognized as one of the best 3-D products of 2013 by the International 3D Society, dynamically generates channels and allows producers to distribute 3-D content directly into Smart TVs.

Intuitive and elegant user interface enables the 3-D consumer to directly access 3-D channels and featured free content currently, with pay-per-view Video-on-Demand in the next several months. In 2014, 3doo is planning to roll out “my3doo,” a beautifully designed dedicated area within the 3doo Player App that will enable 3-D social networking.

The rapid growth of 3doo has been marked by the availability of the Player App from 5% of all 3-D TVs worldwide in 2012 to more than 60% in 2013. Since its launch in April 2012, the 3doo Player App has featured 2.5 million film views to date, with 1,500 new unique users signing up daily.

--

I'm looking forward to seeing Catherine again at the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference this coming weekend!


6TH Annual 3D Film Festival Opens With Short Film Competition, Closes With LA Premiere Of Argento’s DRACULA 3D



Los Angeles, CA –– 3DFF, the world’s largest all digital 3D Film Festival, celebrates its sixth anniversary inside Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, with additional activities taking place at the JW Marriott, Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. The three-day festival, presented by 3opolis, and sponsored by RealD, DLP and NVIDIA, opens Thursday, September 19th with “3ology: The Art and Science of the 3rd Dimension”, a first-of-its-kind Opening Night 3D Shorts and Sneak Preview Program which will start at 7pm inside Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14’s luxurious 800-seat Premiere House Theater. The exciting new program will feature 15 short films from around the globe with a preview trailer of “Gravity” (from Warner Bros. Pictures) and an extended clip from “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” (presented by Sony Pictures Imageworks with introduction by stereographer Von Williams). The 3opolis 3D Experience, a free and open to the public event, will take place at the “Mixing Room” inside JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE from 9pm to 1am on both Thursday and Friday night during the festival featuring L.A. artist J.B. Ghuman Jr. (Director/Spork) and DJ Orion.

“This year’s program was designed to embrace the dreams and aspirations of the international 3D community and to honor the independent creative spirit of these amazing artists, who have proven time and time again that they are the beating hearts on the forefront of the Hollywood trenches, each one of them making their way down the road less traveled in pursuit of a dream to become the next generation of technologically advanced filmmaker,” stated 3DFF’s program founder, Christopher Crescitelli.

During the multi-day event, 3DFF will honor film legend Dario Argento, with its Digital Stars of Hollywood Lifetime Achievement Award presented by DLP Texas Instruments. Argento’s latest film, “Dracula 3D,” will make its Los Angeles debut as 3DFF’s Closing Night Film, which will be presented by IFC Midnight, on Saturday, September 21st at 8pm, a few weeks before the film begins a one month run at the Downtown Independent Theater starting on October 4th. “IFC Midnight is excited to present Dario Argento’s first 3D film at the 3D Film Festival. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue to Premiere Argento’s depth-defying, eye-popping, fang filled vision,” stated Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment.

As part of its 3D Week promotion held in cooperation with World 3-D Film Expo III and the International 3D and Advanced Imaging Society, 3DFF will host a series of free 3D Academy panels, which will take place inside Regal Cinemas theater number six on Saturday, September 21st. At 3pm, Neo3Do, an autostereo 3D tablet PC company, will present an informative panel entitled “Neo3Do Tablet PC: A 3D Filmmakers Guide to Autostereo Handheld Devices.” Speakers include Neo3Do’s Co-Founders Nick Spriggs and David Briggs, who will share the 3D Academy Stage with Tom Gifford (1tompo1 Youtube Star), Jeff Olm (Colorist/Turbo) and Christopher Crescitelli (Experience Montruex).

At 5pm, also in theater number six, Legend3D, an innovative stereoscopic and visual effects company committed to advancing the 3D medium globally, will present its “2D to 3D Conversion: Animation Challenges” panel, which will be moderated by Legend3D founder, CCO and CTO, Barry Sandrew, Ph.D. and will feature panelists Phil 'Captain 3D' McNally (Stereographer/Shrek 1,2 and 3), Rob Engle (Stereographer/ The Smurfs), Michelle Mazzano (Line Producer/The Little Mermaid) and Jill Hunt (Stereographer/The Little Mermaid).

“Post conversion of animation poses special, unique challenges to the stereographer and conversion vendor. We hope to show how these challenges have been overcome and how new technology specifically targeted toward the conversion of animation is now producing exceptionally high quality 3D content from the top conversion stereographers in the industry,” stated Dr. Sandrew.

3D Film Festival has again joined forces with the Boys and Girls Club of America to present a free screening program for its members and their families. The program will feature several of 2013’s most beloved 3D movies released by Warner Bros. Pictures including: “Pacific Rim” directed by Guillermo del Toro (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures Pacific Rim); and “The Great Gatsby” directed by Baz Luhrmann. The Kids and Family program also welcomes Sony Pictures Imageworks, who will present a special encore screening of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller featuring a sneak preview of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn.

3D game enthusiasts will want to be sure to stop by the 3D Lounge which will be located on the second floor Mezzanine Level of Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 from the hours of 6pm to 10pm on Thursday and Friday nights, with extended hours on Saturday from 10am to 10pm.

The complete slate of all fifty 3DFF films will be published in the coming days.

Additional Sponsors and Content Partners include Simple DCP. Neo3Do, Legend3D, Warner Brothers, IFC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Dreamworks Animation, AEG, Network Live, Regal Cinemas, Marketsaw.com, Dream Factory 3D, 3DContentHub.com, MTBS3D.com, Insight Media, Out in 3D, Gen Audio, LA Metro, INGRI:DAHL , 3D Academy of Stereoscopic Arts & Sciences, International 3D Society & Advanced Imaging Society, World 3D Film Expo III and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Festival Hours of Operation:
Thursday, September 19th 6:00pm to 1:00am
Friday, September 20st 6pm to 2:30am
Saturday, September 21st 10:00am to 10:00pm

L.A. LIVE discounted parking rate of $5 for 4 hours with Regal Validation. Best parking for 3DFF attendees is located in the West Garage. Save time and money plus get special 3DFF discounts when you take the LA METRO transit system. Bring your L.A. Metro Card to the 3DFF Box Office to learn more.

Ticket prices range from $12.50 to $25 and can be purchased in advance online at www.3DFF.org. For additional information please visit us online at www.3DFF.org or contact a representative at the number provided below.

For Festival Sponsorship, Media Contact and Partnership Opportunities
Christopher Crescitelli | Festival Director, 3D Film Festival
T: 415-871-1707 E: chris@dreamfactory3d.com


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Marvel Update: New Images For THOR: THE DARK WORLD And THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, ANT-MAN Changes Release Date


Ready for some Marvel news? You should be 'cause any Marvel news is of course 3D news! We've got new images for THOR: THE DARK WORLD and THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 - ok, it's a new poster for THOR 2 but the post's title would have been too long so...

But I digress. First up is that poster. LOKI. Looking gothic, regal, crazy and formidable all at once. Asgard has seen better days! The flying objects look fascinating with two very different and distinct shapes. OF COURSE there's sparks. That's a no-brainer these days, but I like the message getting across here:  Tom Hiddleston has definitely arrived as an actor and Loki is his main vehicle. Perhaps even rivaling Chris Hemsworth's Thor? Perhaps indeed. 

The image for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 leaves much to be desired for me. In fact it wouldn't mean all that much without the tagline that director Marc Webb added to the tweet that revealed it:

“This is what happens when you try to give Electro a ticket.” - @MarcW #AmazingSpiderMan2 #ThroughTheWebb

Suddenly it takes on new meaning and I like the humor. Electro was my second fav villain for Spidey after The Lizard. Yes, I wasn't all that enthusiastic about Green Goblin. So, that's an "ok" reveal Marc :-)

Finally, the braintrust at Marvel are doing something very interesting. Something either very smart or something very stupid. They're putting director Edgar Wright's ANT-MAN up against BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN! Marvel has moved ANT-MAN from a November 6, 2015 date to the July 31, 2015 date which is of course in harm's way with the aforementioned DC Comics juggernaut opening on July 17. Is this a sacrifice play to lessen the box office of the mighty tandem that will eventually anchor JUSTICE LEAGUE? Or do they want to take advantage of the superhero media coverage that will be amped up during that period and boost ANT-MAN's box office sky high? Both?

Regardless, it's an interesting move. It could backfire but I doubt it. Don't forget that Marvel also has THE AVENGERS 2: AGE OF ULTRON opening in the summer of 2015 as well. It's a summer to remember absolutely.


Saturday, September 07, 2013

Sir Edmund Hillary's Everest Climb BEYOND THE EDGE Opens In 3D And Rave Reviews At TIFF


Most everyone knows who he is: Sir Edmund Hillary, first to climb Mount Everest along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. And now hopefully you can become better acquainted with what they probably went through on that famous climb. Director Leanne Pooley has given us BEYOND THE EDGE in 3D to do so. The Canadian shot the movie in the gorgeous Southern Alps of New Zealand (NZ is her home now).

Kiwi actor Chad Moffitt played Hillary and Sonam Sherpa portrayed Norgay.

Peter Hillary and Norbu Tenzing, the sons of the famous original pair were able to attend the movie at TIFF which obviously made the night even more spectacular. Would have loved to have met them myself. The media swirl around their fathers back in the day must have been dazzling.

Says Pooley: "Peter Hillary was really pleased with the way we portrayed his father and his achievement. Norbu saw it for the first time and he was very, very happy with how his father's contribution was handled."

Hillary passed away in 2008, Norgay in 1996.

Says the Toronto Star: "(3½ stars out of 4): Canadian-born New Zealand director Leanne Pooley makes audiences feel they are making the tortuous and historic climb of Everest with Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay with her gorgeous film about the first men to reach the summit in 1953. Thrilling and dramatic, Pooley couples rare archival footage and impressive dramatic recreation, aided by both Hillary’s and Norgay’s families. Screening in 3D. L.B."

For you Wellywood denizens down in Kiwi, the movie will be premiering at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington on Oct 22nd.

Sources: NZ Herald | Toronto Star

Thursday, September 05, 2013

MUST WATCH: Full Trailer For Alfonso Cuaron's GRAVITY !


Incredibly it just keeps getting better! Watch the amazing full trailer for Alfonso Cuaron's GRAVITY and enjoy new shots and a better feeling for the human emotion that's going into this project.

Just imagine that first shot on the largest 3D screen possible!

Even James Cameron is deeply enamored and that means a lot from a sci-fi realism director like him. Says Cameron: "I was stunned, absolutely floored. I think it’s the best space photography ever done, I think it’s the best space film ever done, and it’s the movie I’ve been hungry to see for an awful long time."

Cameron expounded: "What is interesting is the human dimension. Alfonso and Sandra working together to create an absolutely seamless portrayal of a woman fighting for her life in zero gravity."

I absolutely recommend reading the in-depth story that my friend and fellow 3D enthusiast David Cohen has written over at Variety. Well worth the time investment!

Enjoy the trailer!

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference Converges Sept 20-23 With Yours Truly!

I've received and accepted a moderator role at the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference this month from the 20th to the 23rd. The conference is a great influencer in Canada and the world in the S3D industry. This year they are reaching out with special screenings, top line talent complete with an exceptional workshop on Quality in Stereo-3D and a masterclass held by Demetri Portelli (47 RONIN, HUGO).

I'll be helming the 6pm session on September 22st entitled: 3D CREATION ON A 2D BUDGET with panelists April Mullen (DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D), Eric Tessier (5150 ELM'S WAY) and Alex Farrell (Director, Media and Entertainment, RBC Commercial Markets). This also ties nicely into what I'm doing with my own passion production, DREADLOCK.

I'm really excited about the events! You can find out more and plan to attend right here: http://www.tis3dc.ca/

The Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference is an acclaimed unique international gathering of creative, scientific and business minds discussing, discovering and inspiring innovation in “Stereoscopic 3D” Cinema. Brought together by the 3D Film Innovation Consortium (3D FLIC), the Conference offers the highest quality discussions on the creative, scientific and business challenges and possibilities of Stereoscopic 3D.

The 3D Shorts Programme consists of six Canadian and international short stereoscopic films, animations and videos produced in the last two years. This selection of stereoscopic shorts was specially curated for the 2nd Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference by 3D cinema scholar Sanja Obradovic.

Here are the speakers who will be speaking this year at the conference:

Catherine Owens (U23D, Sculpting Space)
Robert Neuman (Disney)
Demitri Portelli (Stereographer - Hugo, 47 Ronan)
Graham Clark (Stereo D)
Stephen Low (IMAX)
Hugh Murray (IMAX)
Marty Banks (Berkeley),
Andrew Watson (NASA),
April Mullen (Dead before Dawn)
Eric Tessier (Les Pee Wee 3D)
Matt Cowan (Entertainment Technology Consultants Canada Inc.)
Drew Fellman (Born to be Wild)
Jim Chabin, (President International 3D Society)
Laurie Wilcox (York University)
Robert Allison (York University)
Ali Kazimi (York University)
Buzz Hayes (True Image Company, Inc)
Gordon Harris (Christie)
Munro Fergusson (Director, NFB)
James Stewart (Director - Foxed!)
Jonathan Barker (Flight of the Butterflies 3D)
Paul Salvini (Christie)
Liane Kotler (TVO Doc Studio)
Tony Gunnarsson (IHS Screen Digest)
Florian Maier (Stereotec)
Bill White (3D International Media Partners)
Phillipe Baylaucq (Ora)
Julian Pinn (Dolby)
Tim Dashwood (Dashwood Cinema Solutions)
Peter Lude (SMPTE)
Brian Cullen (University of Waterloo)
Jeremy Lloyd (Marketing Magazine)
Jim Dorey (Editor-in-Chief MarketSaw)
Adam May (Vision 3D)
Mark Stevens (Redlab)
Ken McNeil (Creative Post Inc.)
Peter Armstrong (byDeluxe)
Ian Herring (Parallax Films)
M. Bove (MIT),
N. Schneider (MTBS.com)
Vincent Chapdelaine-Couture (McGill)
Roy Anthony (Christie)
Cristin Bargheil (Side Effects Software)
Eric Deren (Dzignlight Studios)
Ihor Petelycky (Spatial View)
Alex Farrell (Director, Media and Entertainment, RBC)
Piotr Didyk (MIT),
Stephen Palmisano (University Wollongong),
Inna Tsirlin (York University)
Denise Quesnel (Emily Carr University)
Maria Lantin (Emily Carr University)
John Helliker (Sheridan College, SIRT)
Andrew Hogue (University of Ontario Institute of Technology)
Bernhard Riecke (Simon Fraser University)


Special thanks to James Stewart of Geneva Films Co. for co-chairing the conference and inviting me to participate.

If you have the opportunity to attend I'd love to see you in person! More on the conference soon...


ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US Hits A High Note With $15.8M And Top Box Office Draw!


Hats off to director Morgan Spurlock, Sony Pictures and his team behind the debut concert movie offering ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US. It's quite a feat to win the weekend with a concert movie but they have indeed pulled it off with a $15.8m ($33m worldwide) take. Lee Daniels' THE BUTLER came in second with $14.9m. But what I found interesting was that Spurlock pulled it off in only 2,725 theaters while Daniels enjoyed 3,330.

And a big congratulations to 3ality Technica and in particular Ted Kenney who served as one of the 3D Producers on the movie! Well done. It takes a rare and particular skillset to pull off shooting superlative 3D concert movies and Ted has it in droves.

The production shot using Sony F55’s and F65’s on the 3ality Techica rigs with FUJINON CABRO 19-90MM, OPTIMO DP 16-42MM and OPTIMO DP 30-80MM lenses.

The movie's audience was 87 percent female and 65 percent under the age of 17 which was to be expected.

Says Wikipedia: The film portrays Simon Cowell as singularly responsible for putting the five individuals together in the aftermath of their X-Factor auditions (Cowell himself appearing in the film to say "I made the decision in about 10 minutes"). But according to sources it was reportedly Nicole Sherzinger, then a stand-in judge on the talent show, who originally suggested the idea to bring the five individual contestants together and try them out as a group. The film makes no reference to Sherzinger in its account on how the boyband was formed.

Here's the movie's storyline:
Billed as an intimate all-access look at life on the road for the global music phenomenon, THIS IS US follows the lives of the five members of the boy band, One Direction. It contains live concert footage from London's O2 Arena, and footage from their lives pre- and post-X Factor appearance, and gives insight into the preparation for their concerts and ultimately what it is like to be One Direction.

I haven't seen the movie yet but all of that will be rectified shortly as my daughter's favorite band is none other than ONE DIRECTION. She's been looking forward to this movie for a long time!

ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US is now playing.


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Jim Dorey
Editor-in-Chief
jim (at) marketsaw (dot) com

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