Last night, the inaugural 3D technology Lumiere Awards Ceremony was held in Hollywood’s world famous Grauman’s Chinese theater. The awards ceremony was hosted by, among others, Jim Chabin, President of the International 3D Society. This organization was founded to “advance the art and technologies of stereoscopic 3D content and its professional innovators.” The International 3D Society is open to individuals and organizations active in moving 3D media to an exciting new era of creative achievement and consumer support. The celebration last night honored the people on the technical end of 3D film production.
In Chapin’s opening statement he said; “tonight we honor visionaries who were blind. Blind to doubts, criticism and skepticism that go with human innovation.” The Lumiere Award was named after two brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière, who were among the earliest filmmakers. Louis Lumière is credited with inventing the motion picture. Last night, the 3D Society recognized the contributions and accomplishments of a number of individuals and companies that have influenced 3D digital production and display in both theatrical as well as home entertainment venues.
Among those honored with the Lumiere statuette were: Sassoon Film Design, Nvidia, IMAX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, 3ality, In Three, Autodesk, ReaID
Cinema, IRIDAS, Quantel, Dolby Digital, and Panasonic. One of the most prestigious awards went to Texas Instruments for the development of the DLP (digital light processing) chip that enabled the industry to re-introduce 3D into feature films and other content. The DLP made higher frame-rate display possible powered by its digital micro-mirror device.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Charles M. Brewster Award given to Chris Condon for his pioneering work in the field of 3D motion pictures and for a “lifetime of 3D innovation”. Back in the mid 50’s Chris formed a company called Century Precision Optics, (which was purchased recently by Schneider Optics). It was there that Chris developed and built a variety of optical products that simplified both professional and amateur filmmaking. Later, he formed Stereovision International and, along with Allan Silliphant, developed a revolutionary 3D lens system that could be fitted to most of the major film cameras including Mitchell, Arriflex, Bell & Howell, Cineflex and others. The pair then produced a film using this revolutionary 3D technology that became one of the highest grossing motion pictures in the 1970’s. This single-bodied 3D lens helped initiate the 3D theatrical boom of the 1980’s and was used to produce films like “The Stewardesses”, “Jaws 3D”, “Metalstorm” and “Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein” to name a few.
Last week I visited Chris and his daughter Victoria in the hospital (he wasn’t able to receive his award in person), along with Jim Chabin and Ray Zone. Chris was a primary 3D mentor of mine in the mid 1980’s when I worked side by side with him at Stereovision on a number of film projects. During this time I developed my first professional 3D video camera and began producing 3D industrial and trade show videos. Chris introduced me to Linwood G. Dunn, a two-time Academy Award winner and visual effects pioneer who worked on productions such as “King Kong” and “Citizen Kane”. Shortly after showing him my work in 3D video we formed a partnership and then a corporation that ultimately became Stereomedia 3D Digital & Film Productions.
After his death, few years ago the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood was named in honor of Dunn and his innovations and contributions to the Motion Picture industry. The 286-seat state-of-the-art theater at the AMPAS’ Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study on Vine Street is The Academy’s newest screening facility.
The International 3D Society will host their 2nd Annual awards ceremony on February 9th honoring 2010 3D Creative Arts Achievement in Movies, Television and Live events.
By Anthony Coogan. Anthony Coogan is the Executive Producer and Stereoscopic Director for Stereomedia 3D Video & Film Productions since 1987. He can be reached directly at Stereomedia3D@earthlink.net.
original post: http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2010/10/20/international-3d-societythe-first-annual-lumiere-awards-ceremony/