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Uncharted Territory (In-theatre 3D group gaming experience!)

[Digital Cinema Report]

Last month AMC Theatres in partnership with Sony hosted an Uncharted 3: Play it First in 3D event, that showcased the as of then yet-to-be-released multiplayer PlayStation videogame Uncharted 3 at five participating theatres across the United States. Participating theatres offered an inside look from the development team at Naughty Dog, a multiplayer tournament shown on the big screen in 3D, and raffles, prizes, and giveaways. I was fortunate enough to have been invited to attend the event that was held at the AMC Theatre in New York City’s Lincoln Center district. What I saw that night was a firsthand look at what was a proof of concept for another kind of alternative content event and although this does represent uncharted territory it is an event that could easily be duplicated in select theatres around the world.  …

What even those Insiders could not get at home that they got at the theatre that night, however, was the chance to be in the same room and compete against other teams of players in a game that took place on a forty-foot 3D screen in 4K Sony projection and Real D 3D. Executives from Naughty Dog introduced the game, showed a variety of trailers from the game, some behind-the-scens making of the game movies and then organized the audience into 24 teams of five players each. Sony PlayStation units were set up at the front of the auditorium and the results of the contest were projected on the big screen. Asked for a show of hands it was clear that the majority of the audience had already played the beat version of the game and it was just as clear that they all loved it.

AMC, citing company policy would not comment on how many people attended or confirm other reports that all five theatres sold out, but Ryan Noonan, AMC’s director of public relations did say, “We’re very pleased with the results.” Noonan could not say whether AMC would do a similar event again. “This was the first time we’ve done something like this,” he said, adding, “It was such a novel concept.”  Noonan said Hollywood movies remain the centerpiece of AMC offerings but he said the exhibitor always responds to positive feedback from its guests. Based on what I experienced at the Uncharted 3 event, the audience will ask for more.

Read the full story here: http://www.digitalcinemareport.com/node/2833

20 new & upcoming 3D films you haven’t heard of!

[moviehole.net]

1. Fantastic Voyage

You’ll likely start hearing more about this one shortly, particularly now that producer Jim Cameron and director Shawn Levy have finished their current projects.  Remake of the classic flick about a group of scientists who are shrunken down and inserted into the human body (Joe Dante later remade it as “InnerSpace”) that, this time, will apparently fix less on the adventure and more on the romance (Guessing once that chick scientist inside the bod spots the start of a shaft it’s love its first sight?).  The 3D is likely going to look sensational since Jimbo’s involved. Just like “Avatar”, you’ll have heard it all before, but not seen it before.

2.  Untitled Metallica 3D movie

3. Night of the Living Dead 3D – Re-Animation


See the full story here: http://www.moviehole.net/201148054-20-new-upcoming-3d-films-you-havent-heard-of

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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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