News Stories

Digital Cinema Society – 3D Documentary Proposal

[email distribution]

Dear Friend of 3DCS,

As you are probably aware, the Digital Cinema Society is currently in the planning stages for the production of a documentary on the subject of 3D.  Here is a link to an on-line proposal to remind you what we have in mind:

Digital Cinema Society – 3D Documentary Proposal
http://digitalcinemasociety.org/content.php?page=3DCS

As a funding vehicle, we are now planning to setup a campaign on Kickstarter, the Crowd Source Funding website.  If you’re unfamiliar, please check out: http://www.kickstarter.com/start

Please let me know if you would like to discuss how you might be involved; options range from offering matching funds or perhaps reward incentives for those who donate at certain levels.  For example, a donor who pledges $100 might receive a 3D BluRay disk of the documentary, and a donor of $200 might receive that prize, plus a 3D BluRay disk of a popular release, or some other product or service.  Moral support is also greatly appreciated.  We are definitely in brainstorming mode, and if you have any suggestions we would love to hear them.  We think this is an important educational effort and we don’t want to see it wither on the vine.  I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

With Sincere Thanks,
James Mathers

--
James Mathers
President and Co-founder
Digital Cinema Society
P.O. Box 1973
Studio City, CA  91614
Mathers@DigitalCinemaSociety.org
818-762-2214

[Below is the text from the website describing the project]

Today we stand at the crossroads of another motion picture technology evolution. With the phenomenal success of stereoscopic movies such as “Avatar,” Consumer Electronics manufacturers readying 3D capable home theater products, and the launch of several 3D channels, the momentum is building. However, there is again fear, confusion, and ignorance that threaten to stymie technological implementation while the proliferation of “Bad 3D” could stop the 3D revival dead in its tracks. 

While there is a tremendous thirst for 3D knowledge, there are those that would muddy the waters with self promotion and mercenary efforts to line their pockets at the expense of those who seek to learn. The Digital Cinema Society, on the other hand is a fully registered 501c nonprofit and the perfect vehicle to assist in the industry’s informed integration of 3D technology. With this in mind, we propose to again produce an educational documentary program, this time on the subject of 3D. We plan to also shoot the program with the latest in 3D technology, thus creating high quality stereo content that can be offered to the numerous new outlets including BluRay, broadcast, and via the internet. 

Among our membership, we have many pillars of the 3D community who have expressed interest in participating in our education initiatives including Josh Greer, Vince Pace, Steve Schklair, Lenny Lipton, and many, many more. We will bring the many diverse disciplines within the Entertainment Industry together to cover Aesthetics, Theory, Production, Editorial, Distribution, (both home and theatrical,) Gaming, and Exhibition. We will endeavor to objectively examine all solutions, services, and technologies without favoring any one brand, service, or format over another. 

The goal is to produce a documentary featuring interviews with top 3D Filmmakers and samples of their best stereo work. Many of these appeared in our original program and we expect them to be supportive of our latest efforts. These include such innovative Filmmakers as James Cameron, George Lucas, and Robert Rodriguez, but we would also hope to add new interviewees such as Peter Jackson, Martin Scorsese, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Robert Zemeckis. 

Having previously produced such a program, we are aware of the magnitude of the undertaking, and are currently seeking sponsorship to cover costs. Please let us know of your interest in this opportunity. With your help, the Digital Cinema Society’s 3D documentary will be an effort we can all be proud to be associated with. I look forward to hearing back from you soon, and working together to educate the Entertainment Industry about Stereoscopic 3D. Please e-mail for more information: Mathers@DigitalCinemaSociety.org 

With Sincere Thanks, 
James Mathers, President 
The Digital Cinema Society

3D World Conference 2011 in NYC: Are you ready for 4K? How about 3D in 4K?

[Philip Lelyveld comment: this is an indepth technical story about the conference.]

[HDTV Magazine]

Last week I attended the 3D World conference at the Content and Communications World (CCW) 2011 in NYC. Although my main interest has been the professional aspects of the 3D industry from content acquisition to display devices I always find interesting other digital TV subjects and initiatives in conference tracks and discussion panels, this time 4K was very notorious. As I did in 3D World 2009 and in 2010 I flew in and out of NYC the same day so I had to make my conference day as effective as possible, this was a long day indeed.

HDTV Magazine is a sponsor of this conference and I wanted to be present. I did not plan to write about the event, but that changed when I noticed the 4K coverage. So what was the 3D World about this year? It was very obvious that the industry is looking again to sell more technology to consumers after 13 years of HDTV, about 6 years of 1080p, 5 of Blu-ray, and 2 of 3DTV. For them it was time for another pocket shocker, actually the pocket shocker never stopped.  …

 

Read the full story here: http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2011/10/3d-world-conference-2011-in-nyc-are-you-ready-for-4k-how-about-3d-in-4k.php

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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