Stereoscopic 3D
How to Critique 3D
Submitted by Nick Dager on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 12:00.
By Matthew DeJohn
Vice President/VFX Producer
In-Three, Inc.
With the flood of 3D content coming, no fewer than 25 films this year, it is important to understand how to critique 3D technically and artistically. What does good and bad 3D look like? What causes 3D to be bad or good? Admittedly, exposing some of the dirty secrets behind creating 3D may seem like a bad idea for someone working in the 3D business like myself. However, my hope is that in the current rush to get as much 3D on the screen as possible that education will help keep quality high. As opposed to broad brush critiques that hurt the 3D industry as a whole, focused and educated critiques will drive the industry to create the high quality work that we all want to see. To critique 3D content it is important to understand the three methods of creating 3D (CG, Stereo capture, and conversion), their technical issues, how to identify these issues, and what 3D should be achieving artistically. Once you’re armed with this knowledge, you should be able to fully critique the massive amounts of 3D content coming at you.
Understanding 3D
Submitted by Nick Dager on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 14:34.
There is a shifting tide in the film industry and you can only see it if you wear the right glasses: 3D glasses. At the time of this writing, there are nine thousand 3D capable theatre screens worldwide, and scores more being installed. The home entertainment market is set to release dozens of 3D TV and Blu-Ray models. Avatar made 3D history, and more than 25 3D movies are slated for release in 2010. It's clear that 3D is becoming more than just a trend. So, for anyone involved in the movie industry, it's a good time to understand what 3D is all about. How does the illusion work? How is 3D produced? Why is some 3D good, and some not-so-good? How can 3D enhance storytelling? Even if you don’t work in motion picture production, you’ll find this information useful.
Paradise FX Europe Open for Business
Submitted by Nick Dager on Sat, 02/13/2010 - 17:08.
Paradise FX, Post Republic and Vertigo Films have formed Paradise FX Europe. The new company says it is Europe’s first one-stop shop for 3D production and is working in live action 3D films, television program and advertisements.
Screening Cane Toads
Submitted by Nick Dager on Thu, 01/28/2010 - 16:23.
The documentary Cane Toads: The Conquest from Australian writer/director Mark Lewis is the first Australian digital 3D feature film, and was a rare 3D entry at Sundance — following the festival's previous (and highly successful) 3D entry in 2008, Mark Pellington's U2 3D. The film screened in Park City's Eccles auditorium, a 1,200-seat venue on Barco’s DP-3000 digital cinema projectors. Playback originated from a Dolby digital cinema server.
Mind Blast
Submitted by Nick Dager on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 13:02.
National Geographic Entertainment has announced the acquisition of worldwide rights to the film Blue Man Group: Mind Blast for distribution to giant-screen, digital and Imax 3D and 2D theaters. The 3D live-action comedy, slated for release in Spring 2011, will feature an original screenplay and score and will star the group’s original cast members.