3D Pioneer Chris Condon Has Passed

A sad day in the 3D industry, especially with the early pioneers. Entrepreneur, inventor and DP Chris Condon (Christo Dimitri Koudounis) passed away December 19 from complications due to a stroke. He was 87.

Condon developed 3D camera lenses such as 35mm and 70mm reflex motion widescreens and it should be pointed out that his designs were the first to allow single camera 3D capture whereas other solutions required two.

He received the first lifetime achievement award from the International 3D Society this past October.

Jim Chabin, president of the Society: "He was 3D before 3D was cool. A lot of people feel he paved the way for 3D now. He loved the new 3D movies."

Condon was Director of Photography for JAWS 3D and was co-producer and cinematographer for the softcore porn THE STEWARDESSES which grossed $27m off a budget of $100,000 back in 1969.

RIP Chris.

Two Nights Of 3D Technology: Newly Restored "Hondo" Starring John Wayne In 3D

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is presenting an interesting 3D technology discussion as well as a rare screening of John Wayne's 1953 3D movie "Hondo" based on Louis L'Amour's "The Gift of Cochise" on November 6th and 13th respectively.

Personally, I am very curious as to what Chris Condon has to say being the 3D industry pioneer that he is. The rapid changes that are taking place now are making my head spin - so it will be nice to see the viewpoint from someone who has seen it all.

Participants:

Chris Condon - 3D Consultant and Former StereoVision International President

Peter Anderson - 3D Director of Photography and Visual Effects Supervisor

Eric Brevig - Visual Effects Supervisor

Rob Hummel - AMPAS Science & Technology Council Member

Garrett Smith - VP Digital Mastering Operations @ Paramount

Source: Variety

Exclusive: Stewardesses 3D In A Return Flight!

The highest grossing 3D movie of all time is making a huge comeback. Stewardesses 3D was released in 1969 (and 1971 with an R rating) and went on the rake in $27 million, and that is in 1970 dollars. To top off the windfall, it only cost $100,000 to produce! Chris Condon, who co-produced the original is now teaming with Ed Meyer of Adirondack International Pictures to bring out a remake of the original for 2009 (targeting a window around the release of Avatar).

Casting will include an "A" list of young, established stars and it will be delivered to theaters using Real D technology (my current preferred technology btw).

My take on this is that the movie will generate nostalga for the older crowds yet will bring in the teens with that A-list cast. Moreover, 2009 will be a hotbed of ticket sales as 3D takes the industry by storm with confirmed and in production releases by Dreamworks Animation and James Cameron. As I predicted earlier this year, 2009 will be the turning point for 3D in cinema and frankly, the turning point for cinema itself. Remember the excitement surrounding FM stereo from AM? Digital THX? Color from black & white? Digital 3D will trump them all.

I have added Stewardesses 3-D (2009) to my list of scheduled and rumored upcoming 3D movies.