[3D Focus]

Following on from the success of Alligator Kingdom 3D, Producer/Director Michael Watchulonis from 3DigitalVision nears completion of his latest 3D natural history documentary – Fire Ants 3D: The Invincible Army. …

3D Focus: Why fire ants? And why fire ants in 3D?

Michael Watchulonis: Because Alligator Kingdom 3D has been very well received and will be broadcast in more than 15 countries, we decided to go the natural history route again.

I had read a fascinating story in Wired magazine about how fire ants formed floating rafts and the research which was being done by mechanical engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I got talking to the researchers there and ended up working with some of the foremost fire ants experts around the world, discovering what fascinating insects fire ants are in the process. Depending on the challenges and stresses they face, the ants can act as a fluid, a building material, or a textile.  …

3D Focus: 3D is often used to enhance the feeling of space. Does macro 3D offer the same impact? …

3D Focus: What are the challenges of filming macro sequences in 3D? …

3D Focus: There is an ongoing debate about how extreme 3D should be for television and there are various standards between 3D broadcasters. How creative were you with your parallax settings?

Michael Watchulonis: We were conservative. Because Fire Ants 3D is meant for 3D TV, we capture at what is basically industry standard for parallax so we are keeping it comfortable, ensuring it meets all of the major broadcaster’s standards.

I believe keeping it converged and focused on the screen plane is, for the majority of the film, the most comfortable way to go.  Obviously, there are opportunities to go out of the screen and into the screen.  As long as it’s still comfortable to watch after an hour then you have done alright as far as I am concerned.  …

Read the full story here: http://www.3dfocus.co.uk/3dtv/marco-3d-documentary-fire-ants-3d-nears-completion/6546