TIS3DC 2013: Great Weekend! Toronto Is A World's Hotspot for On Set 3D Tech And Creative Talent

You all know Tim Buttner who is also a regular contributor on MarketSaw - he and I had an amazing time in Toronto last week at the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Convention!

The 2013 edition of the TIS3DC was packed full of surprises for me. I expected to see some familiar faces within the 3D world (and I know a LOT of faces in 3D) but probably not as many as I would see in Los Angeles for example.

I was right initially. It took awhile to acclimatize to the situation - but then it all happened remarkably fast. Conversations. Social drinks. Panels. Screenings. An amazing energy that only a large room full of like minded individuals can muster: A symbiosis of sorts. I quickly became friends with many, many industry professionals and a few really stood out.

I will be the first to admit it, I didn't know about this magnificent cluster of stereographers in Toronto. I don't just mean singular people, their teams are based here as well. And by magnificent I mean it. The stereographer behind HUGO, 47 RONIN and the soon to be released THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET was there: Demetri Portelli. The stereographer behind X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION and THE THREE MUSKETEERS was there: John Harper. The stereographer behind SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D was there: Brent Robinson. And I could go on with more of the local talent but I think you get the picture.

Of course it makes sense in retrospect; Toronto is a major hub of tentpole productions and a very healthy portion of those are 3D. So yes, talent will grow here and I will vouch that it indeed has. These guys are at the top of their game.

Demetri Portelli and Ben Gervais

Take Demetri for example. He gave us a Master Class on how he tackles 3D projects and to underscore just how important his team is to him, he brought in his Camera Systems Engineer Ben Gervais (who I also had the pleasure of speaking with at length). The weekend was more than just an opportunity to see how they pull off a production though. We saw results too with Demetri's latest work THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET and had the added benefit of having master filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet there as well - larger than life - on the big screen via Skype. Let me tell you right now on record, the film is gorgeous. It rivals Scorsese's HUGO in that regard because this is a drama in 3D - and well of course Demetri was the Stereographer on that movie as well.

I think Jay Weissberg of Variety says it best on SPIVET: "Not since “Hugo” has three-dimensionality been used so inventively; unsurprisingly, the films share stereographers in the exceptionally talented Demetri Portelli, whose feel for pictorial planes is miraculous. Rather than seeming cheesy, each element thrown, swept or blown toward the camera induces smiles of surprise."

Yeah, so there's THAT. I haven't seen the whole movie yet but can't wait. What I did see dilated my pupils with excitement. That this level of achievement is arriving in a dramatic setting. I'm here to say as well that I think Demetri Portelli is the world's foremost Stereographer in the dramatic genre today. Yes Brian Gardner did very well with LIFE OF PI, but Portelli has HUGO and SPIVET under his belt now and has branched out into action as well.

Here's an excerpt from Jonathan Holland's review from THR: "...The viewer is bombarded by a jaw-dropping array of enjoyable 3D effects -- motes of prairie dust and scary stuffed animals are among them, but the most satisfying are those which spring from the character’s minds, such as T.S.’s device for dropping an egg without breaking. This has been imagined by both T.S. and by Jeunet with a precision which is then transferred unerringly to the screen by d.p. Thomas Hardmeier and stereographer Demetri Portelli (previously responsible for recreating another young boy’s imagination, that of Martin Scorsese’s Hugo). Larsen’s book is full of T.S.’s devices, designs sketches, and these too are reimagined there, lovingly given motion."

So yes, these guys are talented. World class. I will be speaking to each one of the stereographers listed (and more on other stereo platforms) in a series of interviews on how the standard of native 3D filmmaking is not only maturing - but bringing the whole of cinematography with it. At least ((Whole of cinematography) - (The Wally Pfisters of the world)) > 0. Much greater than zero.

Now about the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference in general. An amazing weekend organized, staffed and executed in a professional and efficient manner. My compliments to Christos Alex. Giotis, the 3D FLIC Project Director that headed up the events. Amazing job! His team was nothing short of stellar as well. I couldn't believe how networked and easy the screening of segments were. It was a breath of fresh air. The volunteers looked and acted like professionals!

Some great 3D companies represented here too - Adam May of Vision3, London (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, JACK THE GIANT SLAYER) and I are planning an upcoming interview on the 3D scene in the UK. Robert Neuman, the Stereoscopic Department Head at Disney Animation Studios also spoke at the conference. I won't name all the companies that were represented but I hope this gives you a flavor of the conference.

The talent I touched upon above does not do the whole event justice. There were filmmakers here (April Mullen, director of DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D and Eric Tessier, director of PEE WEE 3D were on my panel as well as financier Alex Farrell from RBC), James Stewart from Geneva Film Co. (They did FOXED! and the 3D mastering for CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS), Catherine Owens, Director of U2 3D - to this day still a benchmark for 3D concert movies. I loved her keynote and her message regarding education for the 3D industry fell on wide open ears. Read more about her recent 3DOO creative partnership here.

The sky is the limit for this conference, situated exactly where it is in one of the world's epicenters of Stereoscopic 3D.

For all of our TIS3DC coverage, click here. Can't wait for the next iteration!

3-D Visionary Catherine Owens Teams With 3doo As Creative Advisor

NEW YORK, NY (September 17, 2013) – 3doo, Inc. today announced a formal venture collaboration with award-winning film director Catherine Owens, principal director and co-producer of “U2 3D,” one of the most successful live-action 3-D films to date, to advance global digital distribution of 3-D and Ultra HD media content through a range of 3doo projects.

“When I first heard about 3doo and their Player App’s unique and revolutionary ability to upload and stream 3-D content to any 3-D enabled device, I thought, “Eureka!,” said Owens. “This is what everyone I know working in 3-D has been waiting for: a single marketplace where 3-D filmmakers and content providers can control what happens to their work, and 3-D users can capture and enjoy 3-D content on their own devices."

“Helping to make 3doo’s media platform more than just an app, but a genuinely worldwide digital community for 3-D producers and consumers who want to learn, share and connect on all aspects of 3-D film making, is an exciting opportunity for me,” added Owens, whose pioneering “U2 3D” project – filmed and edited before “Avatar” – was acclaimed by the New York Times as “the first IMAX movie that deserves to be called a work of art.”

Owens is known for her collaborative work as the director of visual content for U2 on their last five world tours. In April 2010, she traveled to India to make a 3-D documentary about Kumbh Mela, the largest spiritual gathering in the world. In 2012, she completed her third 3-D film project, “Sculpting Space,” a documentary film on the Irish dancer Colin Dunne.

3doo is the only company in the world currently operating a global 3-D media distribution platform. As the only source for all 3-D content and the only complete 3-D eco-system, 3doo is the solution for easily connecting thousands of 3-D media producers with the rapidly expanding mass market of tens of millions of 3-D end users around the world in an open marketplace.

“We are thrilled to have Catherine Owens contribute her innovative impulses to the 3doo team as a creative content advisor,” said Ingo Nadler, President of 3doo, Inc. “Part of our mission is to bring together the greatest achievers in the 3-D and Ultra Media industries to advance the ongoing breakthroughs in global 3-D media distribution. Catherine brings a tremendous record of artistic and commercial success in the development of 3-D technology and as a director with an artist’s unique perspective and high-value understanding for what is needed to produce quality 3-D.”

Nadler stated that Owens, as a member of 3doo’s Advisory Board, will also help guide strategic development in areas such as content growth, 3-D education, and design and application use.

As an active member of the International 3D and Advanced Imaging Society, Owens will be presenting one of the society’s 3-D technology and best new product awards at a Sept. 18 ceremony at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Owens will also be the keynote speaker at the second Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference on Sept. 20. Her presentation will focus on the education of young 3-D film makers and the transformational advances taking place within the 3-D film industry.

The 3doo Player App, recognized as one of the best 3-D products of 2013 by the International 3D Society, dynamically generates channels and allows producers to distribute 3-D content directly into Smart TVs.

Intuitive and elegant user interface enables the 3-D consumer to directly access 3-D channels and featured free content currently, with pay-per-view Video-on-Demand in the next several months. In 2014, 3doo is planning to roll out “my3doo,” a beautifully designed dedicated area within the 3doo Player App that will enable 3-D social networking.

The rapid growth of 3doo has been marked by the availability of the Player App from 5% of all 3-D TVs worldwide in 2012 to more than 60% in 2013. Since its launch in April 2012, the 3doo Player App has featured 2.5 million film views to date, with 1,500 new unique users signing up daily.

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I'm looking forward to seeing Catherine again at the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference this coming weekend!

Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference Converges Sept 20-23 With Yours Truly!

I've received and accepted a moderator role at the Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference this month from the 20th to the 23rd. The conference is a great influencer in Canada and the world in the S3D industry. This year they are reaching out with special screenings, top line talent complete with an exceptional workshop on Quality in Stereo-3D and a masterclass held by Demetri Portelli (47 RONIN, HUGO).

I'll be helming the 6pm session on September 22st entitled: 3D CREATION ON A 2D BUDGET with panelists April Mullen (DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D), Eric Tessier (5150 ELM'S WAY) and Alex Farrell (Director, Media and Entertainment, RBC Commercial Markets). This also ties nicely into what I'm doing with my own passion production, DREADLOCK.

I'm really excited about the events! You can find out more and plan to attend right here: http://www.tis3dc.ca/

The Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference is an acclaimed unique international gathering of creative, scientific and business minds discussing, discovering and inspiring innovation in “Stereoscopic 3D” Cinema. Brought together by the 3D Film Innovation Consortium (3D FLIC), the Conference offers the highest quality discussions on the creative, scientific and business challenges and possibilities of Stereoscopic 3D.

The 3D Shorts Programme consists of six Canadian and international short stereoscopic films, animations and videos produced in the last two years. This selection of stereoscopic shorts was specially curated for the 2nd Toronto International Stereoscopic 3D Conference by 3D cinema scholar Sanja Obradovic.

Here are the speakers who will be speaking this year at the conference:

Catherine Owens (U23D, Sculpting Space)
Robert Neuman (Disney)
Demitri Portelli (Stereographer - Hugo, 47 Ronan)
Graham Clark (Stereo D)
Stephen Low (IMAX)
Hugh Murray (IMAX)
Marty Banks (Berkeley),
Andrew Watson (NASA),
April Mullen (Dead before Dawn)
Eric Tessier (Les Pee Wee 3D)
Matt Cowan (Entertainment Technology Consultants Canada Inc.)
Drew Fellman (Born to be Wild)
Jim Chabin, (President International 3D Society)
Laurie Wilcox (York University)
Robert Allison (York University)
Ali Kazimi (York University)
Buzz Hayes (True Image Company, Inc)
Gordon Harris (Christie)
Munro Fergusson (Director, NFB)
James Stewart (Director - Foxed!)
Jonathan Barker (Flight of the Butterflies 3D)
Paul Salvini (Christie)
Liane Kotler (TVO Doc Studio)
Tony Gunnarsson (IHS Screen Digest)
Florian Maier (Stereotec)
Bill White (3D International Media Partners)
Phillipe Baylaucq (Ora)
Julian Pinn (Dolby)
Tim Dashwood (Dashwood Cinema Solutions)
Peter Lude (SMPTE)
Brian Cullen (University of Waterloo)
Jeremy Lloyd (Marketing Magazine)
Jim Dorey (Editor-in-Chief MarketSaw)
Adam May (Vision 3D)
Mark Stevens (Redlab)
Ken McNeil (Creative Post Inc.)
Peter Armstrong (byDeluxe)
Ian Herring (Parallax Films)
M. Bove (MIT),
N. Schneider (MTBS.com)
Vincent Chapdelaine-Couture (McGill)
Roy Anthony (Christie)
Cristin Bargheil (Side Effects Software)
Eric Deren (Dzignlight Studios)
Ihor Petelycky (Spatial View)
Alex Farrell (Director, Media and Entertainment, RBC)
Piotr Didyk (MIT),
Stephen Palmisano (University Wollongong),
Inna Tsirlin (York University)
Denise Quesnel (Emily Carr University)
Maria Lantin (Emily Carr University)
John Helliker (Sheridan College, SIRT)
Andrew Hogue (University of Ontario Institute of Technology)
Bernhard Riecke (Simon Fraser University)


Special thanks to James Stewart of Geneva Films Co. for co-chairing the conference and inviting me to participate.

If you have the opportunity to attend I'd love to see you in person! More on the conference soon...

Catherine Owens To Direct Oscar Wilde's THE SELFISH GIANT In 3D

I met Catherine Owens at The Hollywood Reporter's THE 3D EXPERIENCE in New York where I had the pleasure of having her on my filmmaker's panel (pictured). The biggest thing that I gleaned from her is that she is one of the greatest creative talents I have ever met. I can see them a mile away too as my mother is an artist. Catherine talks creativeness and if you have her gloriously made U2 3D concert movie then you know what I am talking about.

Now we have word that she is directing Oscar Wilde's famous children's story, THE SELFISH GIANT and will start the development phase shortly. Several studios have expressed interest and the Irish Film Board has financed. The project will utilize live action, motion capture and CG.

Owens said: "I'm delighted to have been awarded development funding from the Irish Film Board for this project, which I have nurtured for quite some time now, and intend to treat with great care during the development and production process. As a much-loved piece of work from one of Ireland's greatest writers, I will adapt the story appropriately for cinematic treatment, with the added addition of carefully crafted digital 3D production values to enhance the universal themes of the story. With significant experience in the 3D process, I am confident that given time to develop the story and screenplay The Selfish Giant will be a must-see cinema event for all those who love Oscar Wilde' s fiction, and will also open up his work to a whole new audience."

And specifically on 3D: "Pairing this Irish literary great's work to the latest in 3D technology will keep Ireland at the core of a global creative conversation about the future path for 3D film and 3D film makers. I look forward to continuing to work with the Irish Film Board throughout the process, alongside a major Hollywood studio partner."

Ireland is lucky to have such a vibrant artist and storyteller in their midst! Can't wait to see the results of this project.

Yours Truly Moderating The Filmmakers Panel At THE 3D EXPERIENCE In Times Square Next Month!!

I couldn't be more thrilled - I will be moderating the Filmmakers Panel at THE 3D EXPERIENCE in New York's Times Square! The festival runs from September 24 - 26 and has an exciting line up for both industry professionals AND consumers.

In fact, consumers will be introduced to “hands on” demonstrations, product reviews and content creation from all around the world for FREE. There will be a custom 3D Showroom that will take visitors into the world of 3D where they can explore this new technology, including side-by-side comparisons of 3DTVs and have all their questions answered.

For the Filmmaker's Panel, there is a great lineup of creative talent involved, namely: Catherine Owens, Co-Director / Producer of U2 3D; James Stewart, 3D Producer / Director of Geneva Film Co; Wayne Miller, President, CCO of Action 3D Productions; Carl Samson, Producer / Aerial Director of HUMAN FLIGHT 3D; and Geoff Boyle, Director of Photography of DARK COUNTRY, a friend whom I've just added.

I will keep you up to date on further developments and of course real time updates once the festival begins! If you will be able to drop by, let me know as I would love to meet you.