Creative Lab the in-house production team for the online 3D channel Break Media is dramatically expanding its output to meet the growing demand for content. The company has made the Panasonic AG-3DA1 Full HD 3D camcorder its lead camera. Since launching its designated 3D channel in July 2010 the Creative Lab has shot more than 150 videos with the professional 3D camcorder. Break is on track to create more than 1 000 original videos in 2011 and all 3D videos shot in-house will be filmed with the AG-3DA1. The Break Media Creative Lab produces a lineup of original 3D web series that include X3D an extreme sports series with skateboarding Motocross BMX and MMA videos; Scare3D! a horror series that presents the viewer with a new frightening scenario each week; and Life in 3D which takes a unique look at everyday objects and surroundings and exposes them in all their 3D glory. The Creative Lab also uses the Panasonic 3DA1 to create branded video content. “The demand for online 3D content is increasing and new media companies like Break are driving innovation in 3D ” says Jonathan Small senior vice president editorial and programming for Break. “We are always pushing the envelope when it comes to video production and the breakthrough 3D camera from Panasonic has been an essential factor in the fast-paced takeoff of our 3D channel.” Break Media was among the first customers in Los Angeles to take delivery of the 3DA1; however prior to receiving the camera the Creative Lab did produce several original web videos using a 3D rig a shoot company executives described as “hard to do and expensive.” “Working with the rig was time-consuming and labor-intensive ” says Danila Koverman director of development Creative Lab and Production. “These detriments disappeared with the arrival of the 3DA1; we have a pretty staggering production roster but the 3DA1 is so lightweight and self-contained that we can move fast and efficiently. We’ve been able to easily cross-train our staff of 20-plus camera operators and editors on 3DA1 operation and we’re attracting a high caliber of directors to work with the camcorder to produce high-quality 3D content for the channel.” “We encounter no challenges with parallax or frame violations ” Koverman says. “These issues are all handled well internally in the camcorder. From day one our experience with the 3DA1 has been that we can just go out and start shooting.” The Break Creative Lab handles post-production in-house and edits 3DA1 footage in Final Cut Pro.
