New Trailer For JUPITER ASCENDING - Now THIS Is More Like It !!

Finally a good glimpse at what the Wachowski's have in store for us in JUPITER ASCENDING because the first looks were not all that thrilling for me. With the release of this trailer however, I can foresee a much better future for the movie and even if they delayed the movie only to get the right marketing in place, I'm ok with that!

Further, the movie is being painstakingly converted to 3D by none other than Stereoscopic Supervisor Chris Parks (GRAVITY), who I just interviewed for our Fall Stereographer Series - be sure to check that out. So you can expect an amazing 3D experience. Legend3D is the conversion house. 

The scope of the movie is jaw-dropping and it looks like the VFX are up to the task. It's all got to be believable - the story will stretch our suspension of disbelief dramatically, but then again this is coming from the makers of THE MATRIX sooooo....

Here's the storyline for the movie:
From the streets of Chicago to the far-flung galaxies whirling through space, “Jupiter Ascending” tells the story of Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), who was born under a night sky, with signs predicting she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people’s houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along—her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.

JUPITER ASCENDING opens on February 6, 2015 in 3D, IMAX 3D and flat.

TOP GUN 3D Impresses! Nostalgia And Great 3D Make For A Wonderful IMAX Experience

Definitely recommended. TOP GUN 3D delivers of the action and memories of the original Tom Cruise movie but with depth and added emotion.

Legend3D is responsible for the 3D conversion and they did an outstanding job considering that the original was not 4K remastered. It was fascinating to see an old school "film" converted for IMAX because you can see the film grain and obviously that would present some issues for a conversion. And yet Legend3D delivered. Yes there were some small items of note (the beach volleyball scene has some very tiny issues with the net that lasted about 2 seconds) but overall I was shocked at how well the whole thing looked blown up on a huge IMAX screen.

Some of the scenes must be addressed individually because they looked stunning in 3D. The POV shot overlooking the tail (with smoke streamers) of the navy jet after takeoff - WOW. The runway night shot with the flashing landing lights and Cruise's motorcycle nearby looked great. One of the highlights is seeing a 3 dimensional view of a reflection in the jet's cockpit canopy glass - amazing.

The emotional scenes draw you in more in 3D. You feel like you are in that blistering hot aircraft carrier about to get chewed out for a tower flyby. It's a rather intense experience to see a movie that you watched over and over again in younger years presented in such a modern, immersive fashion. It's almost dreamlike.

And finally, this was a Tony Scott film. If you're a fan then what better way to celebrate his memory than to go to the cinema and see one of his better films on the big screen. You may not have another chance like this one. Think about Scott's warm use of color, his attention to time of day scenes, intense, emotional closeups and his use of soundtrack. Frankly I was in awe of his ability to simply create a blockbuster movie! The resources and cooperation needed to pull off TOP GUN was staggering.

If you haven't seen TOP GUN let alone TOP GUN 3D, then don't wait - get out and see it! It's only in IMAX theaters for less than a week now. Trust me, if you liked the original classic movie then you'll love TOP GUN 3D.

TOP GUN 3D is also now available for preorder in Blu-ray at Amazon.

Possible Bankruptcy Looming For Digital Domain - What Will It Mean To All Of Their Operations? Potential Silver Lining? And A Michael Bay Statement...

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With a recent filing with the SEC, Digital Domain Media Group states that they are defaulting on a $35 million loan now, bringing their now owing number to $51 million plus another $16 million in interest and penalties. But further than that, it also told the SEC: "An inability to quickly access additional sources of liquidity to fund the company’s current operating cash needs would materially adversely affect its financial condition and would require it to seek relief or protection from its creditors."

The local Florida newspapers are tearing up not only the leadership of Digital Domain, but also of their political leaders who bought into the glitz of having a big piece of Hollywood in their backyard. DDMG had received promises of $135 million in cash, financing, land and tax credits from Florida and the cities of Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach. Apparently DDMG only had $6.6 million in cash back on June 30.

It seems that Digital Domain's film school built in cooperation with Florida State University will be able to continue operation. Says FSU's Andrew Syder (Director of Digital Media Programs): "We’re in bed with Digital Domain. But if Digital Domain went belly-up tomorrow, we’ve designed our curriculum so we can still serve our students. Our students wouldn’t be left high and dry."

The film school is unique in that it allows the $28,000 / year program students to work for Digital Domain while learning. That option may now not exist if a bankruptcy ensues. Hopefully that's not the case.


Many well known celebrities have been associated with Digital Domain over the years. The company's website still lists James Cameron and Stan Winston almost as if they are still involved as founders (remember this t-shirt from 1996 when they were working on AVATAR) - clearly that's not true with Cameron busy with Lightstorm Entertainment, his world breaking dives and other projects, and the sad passing of Winston in 2008. Dan Marino was also a very visible investor in the company.

Here's a statement from Michael Bay on Digital Domain:
"For those people and press asking: I stopped being an officer or director of the company over three years ago, and have not owned stock in the company for some time. I have remained a loyal client and supporter of the company however. It has amazing people and talent, and it still can be a great company! During this difficult time, my thoughts are with the great people I've had the pleasure to work with at DD."

I have also received word from someone who works for Digital Domain and it's not looking like there is much silver lining to any of this:
"Things are up-side-down here. It looks as though the In-Three Re-Vamping-Expansion is going to be a bust. Cuts are coming across the board."

In-Three was a top tier 3D conversion specialist that Digital Domain bought out in 2010.

SAME DAY UPDATE: I just received a great email from Barry Sandrew of Legend3D. In it, he passes on his comments about the state of the industry and DD itself:

"At issue: Here is a company, DD laying people off while another, Legend3D is hiring like crazy. The question is… which is indicative of the current state of the industry? My message is that the industry is alive and well. Florida was a very unfortunate anomaly that is not representative of the Industry. Lots of talented people, many that had jobs and some that were promised jobs, are unemployed today because of DD closing down their Florida operation. I know of at least one family that sold everything and was driving out to Florida for what turned out to be a non-existant job. But fortunately, these people do not have to be unemployed. Legend3D is hiring to meet an increasing demand for both our expanding 3D conversion business as well as our StereoWorks service that offers both 2D and 3D post production and VFX.

It's important that people understand… DD has historically been and continues to be an exceptional, if not iconic VFX studio. Indeed, the industry would be negatively affected if DD were not here. Legend3D has worked closely with DD on several projects, the most memorable of which was Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The cooperation and professionalism from their very talented artists and management was instrumental in making that project a success. I believe it's positive that they are currently in reorg mode. The downsizing will be very difficult for many people but it will likely mean the long term survival and a healthy turn around for DD."

I'm uncertain as to where this leaves Prime Focus and their licensing of Digital Domain's (In-Three) 3D conversion technology. I've reached out to someone I know at Prime Focus and we'll see if everything's good on their end. Hopefully it's full steam ahead for them and that this potential bankruptcy doesn't affect other companies and individuals.

**UPDATE, Sep 12: I've heard from my friend Bobby Jaffe, CSO and Vice Chairman of Prime Focus and here's his comment on the situation: "Our agreement with DD is a perpetual agreement and forever unaffected by any changes to the management or financial situation at DD."

A silver lining? Potentially. Those unemployed artists can perhaps take solace in the fact that there are other companies hiring - and hiring many. Legend3D for example is currently on the hunt for 150 compositing and depth conversion artists, rendering technicians, software programmers and data managers for upcoming projects that they have secured from three major studios. Their timeline for hiring? The next 3 months. Perhaps this is the opportunity that many have been looking for and perhaps some good can come out of this bad situation.

I want to firmly state my opinion on this matter: DDMG's demise has nothing to do with 3D or conversion. 3D Conversion is very much alive and thriving. DDMG's condition is due to over zealous leadership and decisions that were made by many (including politicians that should have known better) that has caused these events to take place. Best of luck to everyone involved - I hope that you will land with your feet on the ground in a timely fashion!

Sources: DigitalDomain | ShootForTheEdit | South Florida Business Journal | Palm Beach Post | TCPalm

Legend3D Looks To Expand By 150 Seats In The Next 3 Months

San Diego based Legend3D is expanding! They are looking to hire 150 artists for upcoming 3D movie conversions bringing their total number of employees to 400. Compositing and depth conversion artists, rendering technicians, software programmers and data managers are the order of the day. If you fit the mold why not send them your resume?

Three major studios have tapped Barry Sandrew's company but he can't comment on which projects are earmarked for 3D. Says Sandrew: "We're under strict [non-disclosure agreements] on all current and future projects."

Legend3D has quite the pedigree of previous work to their name including: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, MADAGASCAR 3, GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, HUGO, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, THE GREEN HORNET and ALICE IN WONDERLAND to name a few. 

On a sad note, Barry had just met with director Tony Scott just days before his death to discuss the 3D conversion of TOP GUN. That's certainly one of the benefits of being in the 3D industry - you get to meet some very talented and unique people.

Good luck with the expansion Legend3D!

Source: The Daily Transcript

Poignant Reminder: Days Before Death, Tony Scott Was Full Of Life - Embraced TOP GUN 3D

As anyone who follows me in my social circles has noticed since the untimely death of director Tony Scott, I have been vocal in my shock and in my remembrance of the man. I had refrained from posting anything on MarketSaw because I didn't think I could represent him well enough.

Well as it turns out, my friend Barry Sandrew (who runs Legend3D) posted a heartfelt memorial to Scott on his blog REFLECTIONS ON THE GROWTH OF 3D that resonated with me and I thought this would be appropriate to share with my readers. I have already retweeted his post and shared via Facebook and Google+ but wanted MarketSaw to be a part of it too.

What really captured my attention was just how down to earth and candid Mr. Scott was. Approachable. And what a visionary! He saw what 3D could do for TOP GUN and embraced it. His first comment to the Legend3D team (who did the 3D conversion for TOP GUN 3D) was "Legend3D, you guys are f___king awesome!" and he treated them with no ego whatsoever. I let a huge smile spread across my face when I read his comment.

I think he probably knew the effect of awe he had on others. People that have worked with him over the years know. I never had the pleasure of meeting the man and I wish I had. So this is my memorial for Tony, vicariously through Barry: Godspeed to you Mr. Scott. You had the big picture. My thoughts have been and will be with the Scott family.

LEGEND3D Appoints Industry Veteran Ian Jessel As President

One of Hollywood's top tier 3D conversion houses just got better! I love Legend3D's work (Especially HUGO) and I'm looking forward to more...

Elite Studio Executive Brings Four Decades of Global Production Experience to Leading Stereo VFX Company

SAN DIEGO (April 17, 2012)—Legend3D, Inc., a leading digital media technology and visual effects company and innovator in 3D storytelling, today announced an executive appointment of Ian Jessel as president. Jessel, an entertainment industry veteran who was the founding president of Miramax International, is charged with enhancing Legend3D’s market visibility and nurturing studio relationships, specifically driving the company’s growth initiatives in the Hollywood entertainment industry and thriving international film markets. Jessel enters Legend3D during a time of rapid growth, as the company recently relocated its Los Angeles offices to Hollywood Center Studios to be closer to its expanding client base and also secured venture capital financing, including a $19 million Series E Preferred Stock offering.

“I am fortunate to join Legend3D’s accomplished, creative and innovative executive team—during a time of entertainment’s resurgence, largely driven by 3D titles,” said Jessel. “Together, we look forward to setting new benchmarks domestically and in Europe and Asia, while further strengthening the company’s position as a driving force in the worldwide 3D industry.”

Jessel brings a rich history of global studio relationships and major international marketing management to the president role, previously held by Legend3D’s Founder Dr. Barry Sandrew, who will now focus on his client relationship building as well as his chief creative officer (CCO) and chief technology officer (CTO) responsibilities. Prior to joining Legend3D, Jessel was president of Miramax International, one of the industry's leading independent companies which, during his tenure, acquired, produced and distributed films of class and distinction such as Jane Campion's The Piano, Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures, Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Before his role at Miramax International, Jessel was president and CEO of Nelson Entertainment, where he supervised the worldwide distribution of critically-acclaimed films, including Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally. He also served as vice president of international distribution and marketing at CBS Films, where he was responsible for all international acquisitions and distribution activities. Jessel graduated from Oxford University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in modern languages. He speaks fluent French and German and is currently studying Mandarin.

“Legend3D continues to successfully move the needle forward in the VFX industry and our strategic appointment of Ian, a respected peer among studios and expert with international distribution, sales and marketing, enhances our leadership and technical team’s power to expand and bring to audiences across the globe immersive 3D stories, ” said Dr. Sandrew. “We’re confident in Ian’s ability to help us effectively meet 3D conversion demands and exceed customers’ expectations with our first-class stereo techniques.”

Jessel is based in Legend3D’s Los Angeles office at Hollywood Center Studios with Barry Nulman, senior vice president of business development and Jenny Powers, senior marketing associate. He is a long-standing member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Film Academy.

For more information about Legend3D, please visit www.Legend3D.com. For press inquiries, contact Robin Dwyer at 619-234-0345.

About Legend3D
As the largest U.S.-based 3D conversion studio in the film industry, Legend3D, Inc. is a dynamic digital media and visual effects company. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Barry Sandrew, Legend3D utilizes patented 2D-to-3D image conversion technologies to enhance filmmakers’ storytelling by creating the highest-quality dimensional conversions. Legend3D is the most experienced 3D conversion company in the industry and has completed 3D conversions for major motion pictures such as Hugo, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Green Lantern and The Smurfs. Legend3D’s clients include Bay Films, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Walt Disney Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Lionsgate, Screen Gems, Hewlett Packard, M&M Mars, New Balance, the Michael Jackson Tour, and MTV. Legend3D’s conversion artists are rapidly setting the industry standard for 2D-to-3D conversion and continue to help filmmakers connect with audiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.Legend3D.com.

Legend3D Appoints Former Prime Focus CEO As President

Current President and Founder Barry Sandrew Continues All Conversion Operations and Technology Development as COO and CTO...

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 16, 2010)—Legend3D, Inc., the leading innovator in 2D-to-3D conversion technology, today announced that Rob Hummel has joined the company as president, effective immediately. The former executive of 3D conversion company Prime Focus will play a highly strategic role, closely collaborating with Geoff Goodman, Legend3D’s executive vice president of new business development, in directing top projects and studio relationships. This appointment will allow Barry Sandrew, company founder and current president to better focus his energy on 3D/VFX technology development and creative oversight of feature films and commercial projects.

The expansion of Legend3D’s executive team is a direct response to the influx of feature film, broadcast commercial, and catalog film conversion projects; Legend3D’s much-praised conversion of Alice in Wonderland for Disney; as well as its ongoing 3D work for several major Hollywood studios. Of note, Legend3D’s four-person executive team now collectively holds 12 patents and represents multiple decades of film and entertainment experience. With Hummel’s appointment as president, Legend3D remains well-positioned as the leader in delivering high-quality conversions on time and on budget.

“Rob’s unique strategic knowledge of film and digital entertainment, backed by his comprehensive knowledge and experience in cinematography, post production, animation, film restoration, and all aspects of digital capture, scanning compositing and visual effects will greatly strengthen Legend3D’s ability to continue its mission. He will help produce the seamless, highest-quality 3D storytelling experience that renowned film makers have come to expect from us,” said Barry Sandrew, founder, COO and CTO of Legend3D. “It’s an honor to welcome Rob to our executive team.”

Prior to joining Legend3D, Hummel served as CEO, post production, of Prime Focus North America. Before that, he was the president of Digital Cinema at DALSA Corporation, where he led the charge into the motion picture industry for the company’s 4K camera. He also worked on numerous high-profile projects, including The Dark Knight, for which he helped test the post production pipeline and proof of concept to deliver the film in IMAX format. Hummel has also held senior vice president positions at Warner Bros.—where he advised on motion picture technologies, including digital restoration work for Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz—and at SONY, where he led the development of the company’s Digital Cinema strategy. Additionally, Hummel’s vast portfolio within the filmmaking industry includes leadership positions at Technicolor, DreamWorks Animation and The Walt Disney Company.

As a proponent of motion picture technology throughout his career, Hummel is an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers and also serves on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Science and Technology Council. He has hosted numerous Academy events, covering a variety of subjects from film formats to 3D cinematography, and also has taught at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2006, Hummel was honored by ShoWest as a pioneer in the digital cinema field, recognizing his ongoing contributions in advancing the digital cinema.

Hummel will be based out of Legend3D’s Los Angeles office. For more information about Legend3D, please visit www.Legend3D.com. For press inquiries, contact Taryn Unruh at 619-234-0345.

About Legend3D
Legend3D is a dynamic digital media and visual effects company. Legend3D utilizes patented 2D-to-3D image conversion technologies to enhance filmmakers’ storytelling by creating the highest quality dimensional conversions possible. Legend3D’s conversion artists are helping filmmakers connect with audiences worldwide and are rapidly setting the industry standard for 2D-to-3D conversion. Legend3D has completed 3D conversions for Warner Brothers, Sony, Disney, and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Hewlett Packard, M&M Mars, New Balance, the Michael Jackson Tour and MTV. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Barry Sandrew, Legend3D is headquartered in San Diego and operates facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles and Patna, India. For more information, visit www.Legend3D.com.

Legend3D is a top tier 2D to 3D conversion company and is highly recommended by MarketSaw. Best wishes for Rob Hummel in his new role and continued success for Barry Sandrew's expanding company!