PassmoreLab Wins Again with 3D Bats Film!

Studio’s "The Extreme Nature of Bats" Wins Best Cinematography at Dark Carnival Film Festival

San Diego, CA (Dec 9, 2010) – San Diego-based 3D Production studio PassmoreLab won another award for their just-released 3D documentary “The Extreme Nature of Bats”, this time getting the win at the Dark Carnival Film Festival in Bloomington, Indiana, for Best Cinematography.

Called the Sundance of horror, Dark Carnival was named one of the top 25 film festivals by MovieMaker Magazine. Hosted by AMC Monstervision’s horror alum & syndicated film critic Joe Bob Briggs, the three-day festival culminated with the awards ceremony, which included 13 different categories. The Best Cinematography category carried 7 competing nominations.

Shot in Texas, Romania, Belize, Africa and Mexico, the film, which explores the truths, myths and dark legends that have stalked the world’s only flying mammal, closely examines three bat species; the free-tailed bat, the megabat, and the infamous vampire bat. It takes an in-depth look at bats as unique and important animals, but because of fear and misconceptions associated with them throughout history, they are also some of the most misunderstood animals in the world.

The 35-minute documentary was directed by Greg Passmore, president of PassmoreLab, and handled all aspects of 3D production out of San Diego.

“It is truly an honor to accept this award for cinematography,” says Passmore. “Three bat species, four jungles, numerous caves, and five countries later -- it is especially humbling to be recognized for being able to put it all together, and see the support for this film.”

Using RED camera technology, “The Extreme Nature of Bats” took six months to shoot, due largely to the travel required to capture these bats in their natural habitats, in some of the largest bat caves in the world. Production wrapped earlier this year off the coast of Africa, on a primitive island in the Indian Ocean, netting the crew some never-before-seen-footage of bats.
“This film is far from a typical bats documentary, and continues to create a lot of audience interest,” says Steve Glum, PassmoreLab’s head of Branding & Distribution. “It’s thrilling to see that as we ready it for release.”

PassmoreLab’s “The Extreme Nature of Bats” (www.passmorelab.com/bats) is now available for distribution to multiple 3D channels.

About PassmoreLab
Passmorelab, the San Diego-based multi-media production studio that specializes in 3D production and 2D to 3D content conversion, has the world’s largest library of 3D content available for licensing. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions, shooting everything from feature films, television and science documentaries, to underwater diving, extreme sports and cave exploration. State-of-the-art facilities include a full 3D production studio, video/film post-production, optical development lab, and a software development environment. Production includes 2D, 3D, high dynamic range time lapse, stereoscopic microscopy and cutting-edge simulation technologies for real time SFX. Passmorelab’s proprietary technology for 2D to 3D content conversion is known in the industry for quick turnaround times and competitive conversion costs. PassmoreLab has additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. Additional offices in Russia and the Philippines, www.passmorelab.com, or contact Steve Glum 858.200.5813.

About Dark Carnival Film Festival
Dark Carnival's home in Bloomington has a long history as a circus town, going back more than a hundred years. The festival is influenced by the writings of HP Lovecraft and a series of horror short stories by Ray Bradbury, which deal with a demonic fall carnival that rolls into small towns in the dead of night to prey upon the souls of the weak. The carnival theme creates a unique atmosphere for an event that celebrates multiple facets of horror, including live entertainment, music and film. www.darkcarnivalfilmfest.com

And the accolades keep piling up! If you get a chance to see this documentary don't waste it - check it out.

Dracula’s Home to Host PassmoreLab’s 3D Vampire Film on Halloween

San Diego, CA (Oct 30, 2010) – In a mysterious, mist-shrouded region deep in the forbidding Carpathian Mountains, directly across the street from Dracula’s Castle, sits Cinemax5D in the Galeria Bran, the latest home of PassmoreLab’s award-winning 3D science documentary The Extreme Nature of Bats. The film will begin its run as a moving theatre attraction on Halloween, it was announced today by San Diego-based 3D Production studio PassmoreLab.

The Cinemax5D, which started in 2008 and was the first 3D theatre in Romania, is adjacent to Bran Castle in Bran City and is in the immediate vicinity of Braşov. The castle is a national landmark in Romania, located on the border of Transylvania, and is commonly known as "Dracula's Castle" – the home of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Much of The Extreme Nature of Bats was actually shot inside Bran Castle and in the surrounding area of Transylvania. It is that fact which makes this moving theatre film experience even more haunting.

"This film is a fantastic way to learn about the spirit, history and culture of the region. The fact that Greg Passmore and his team actually shot much of the film here makes it more eerie...and premiering it on Halloween is even better," said Janusz Szalinski, owner of Cinemax5D.

PassmoreLab’s announcement comes on the heels of the film winning first place at the Arizona Underground Film Festival in the “Documentary Short” category just three weeks ago.

The film, which explores the truths, myths and dark legends that have stalked the world’s only flying mammal, closely examines three bat species; the free-tailed bat, the megabat, and the infamous vampire bat.

“Guests will actually be seeing and learning about bats – including the most famous vampire of them all Dracula -- in the actual place where the legend began,” said Greg Passmore, Director of the film. “I can’t think of a better place and time for the film to debut than in Transylvania on Halloween.”

Filming of The Extreme Nature of Bats began last year in a Texas bat cave, where the production crew filmed a resident population of 12 million Mexican free-tailed bats. From there, the crew traveled to Romania and Dracula’s Castle, then backpacked through the jungles of Mexico to film the elusive vampire bat. Through interpreters and local guides, Passmore began to hear about the legends of vampires. “The locals told us that they can hear the vampire bats making a screaming noise during the nightly cattle hunts.” It was there that they found swarms of vampire bats in the moonlight drinking blood from cattle. Production wrapped in Africa on a primitive island in the Indian Ocean.

Vampires are synonymous with Halloween and have become long-lasting mainstream pop icons, especially with the recent mega-successes of the Twilight films and HBO’s True Blood series. One of the most popular costumes year after year is to dress up like blood-dripping, fang-flashing vampires.

“It’s perfect timing all the way around,” says Steve Glum, PassmoreLab’s head of Branding & Distribution. “This will be a great film for tourists to enjoy for years to come, and a exciting annual Halloween treat.”

The Extreme Nature of Bats will be seen at Cinemax5D, Bran City, Romania, starting on Halloween, October 31, for a ticket price of 18.34 RON (US $6).

About PassmoreLab
Passmorelab, the San Diego-based multi-media 3D production studio, has the world’s largest library of 3D content available for licensing. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions. Passmorelab’s proprietary technology for state-of-the-art 3D post production is known in the industry for quick turnaround times and competitive costs. Additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. www.passmorelab.com, or contact Steve Glum 858.200.5813.

About Cinemax5D
Cinemax5D is located in Bran City, very near to the famous Bran Castle, the legendary Count Dracula’s home. It is a well-known touristic attraction not only because of its specific beauty and the breathtaking landscape, but also because of the local legends and stories, which got it a well-deserved 4th place on the “Ten Most Haunted Places from Around the World” list by the MSN NZ Travel Editors. Cinemax5D was the first 5D moving theater opened in Romania. At a 3D movie, the viewer takes part in the movie action by watching it through special glasses. At a 4D movie, the viewer gets, among other sensations, chair movement. At a 5D movie, the effects are multiple -- the viewer actually feels the water, the wind or dust -- which gives them an amazingly unforgettable feeling. Cinemax5D awaits its viewers in Bran, 502 Principala Street, each day from 10 AM to 6 PM, and on weekends until 10 PM.

I have not been able to see THE EXTREME NATURE OF BATS yet, but it is on my list. If you have a chance - let me know what you think!!

PassmoreLab is a sponsor of MarketSaw

EXCLUSIVE: THE EXTREME NATURE OF BATS Wins At Arizona Underground Film Festival

Once again the fine folks at PassmoreLab have garnered accolades with their recent S3D work! As you may know already, PassmoreLab recently won Best 3D Feature for IRON DOORS 3D at the 3DFF and also enjoyed PHYSICS OF SURFING winning the Sony / 3D Magazine filmmaking competition.

This time around PassmoreLab has won for their 3D documentary THE EXTREME NATURE OF BATS, which took first place at the Arizona Underground Film Festival.

Steve Glum from PassmoreLab has sent us the exclusive story on this and the press release will not be on the wire until tomorrow!

Here are the details (emphasis is mine):

San Diego, CA (Oct 12, 2010) – San Diego-based 3D Production studio PassmoreLab won first place at the Arizona Underground Film Festival for their just-released documentary “The Extreme Nature of Bats”. The studio took home the top prize in the Documentary Short category.

Shot in Texas, Romania, Belize, Africa and Mexico, the film, which explores the truths, myths and dark legends that have stalked the world’s only flying mammal, closely examines three bat species; the free-tailed bat, the megabat, and the infamous vampire bat. It takes an in-depth look at bats as unique and important animals, but because of fear and misconceptions associated with them throughout history, they are also some of the most misunderstood animals in the world.

The 35-minute documentary short was directed by Greg Passmore, president of PassmoreLab, and handled all aspects of 3D production out of San Diego.

“I am delighted that the Festival audience embraced this film,” says Passmore. “We went tens of thousands of miles to get these bats, but it is especially humbling that the film was well-received so close to the home of one of our film’s stars – the free-tailed bat. We actually did much of the filming of this particular bat in the Southwest.”

Using RED camera technology, “The Extreme Nature of Bats” took six months to shoot, due largely to the travel required to capture these bats in their natural habitats, in some of the largest bat caves in the world. Production wrapped earlier this year off the coast of Africa, on a primitive island in the Indian Ocean, netting the crew some never-before-seen-footage of bats.

The Annual Arizona Underground Film Festival is for independent filmmakers and is now in its third year, with screenings in both Tucson and Phoenix. It is Arizona's only premier underground cult film festival.

“The film was created for science centers and museums, and is now ready for distribution,” says Steve Glum, PassmoreLab’s head of Branding & Distribution. “It’s been an incredible journey and we think audiences will very entertained learning about these amazing creatures.”

PassmoreLab’s “The Extreme Nature of Bats” (www.passmorelab.com/bats) is now available for distribution to Science Centers and Museums.

About PassmoreLab
Passmorelab, the San Diego-based multi-media production studio that specializes in 3D production and 2D to 3D content conversion, has the world’s largest library of 3D content available for licensing. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions, shooting everything from feature films, television and science documentaries, to underwater diving, extreme sports and cave exploration. State-of-the-art facilities include a full 3D production studio, video/film post-production, optical development lab, and a software development environment. Production includes 2D, 3D, high dynamic range time lapse, stereoscopic microscopy and cutting-edge simulation technologies for real time SFX. Passmorelab’s proprietary technology for 2D to 3D content conversion is known in the industry for quick turnaround times and competitive conversion costs. PassmoreLab has additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. Additional offices in Russia and the Philippines, www.passmorelab.com, or contact Steve Glum 858.200.5813.

About Arizona Underground Film Festival
The AZ Underground Film Festival is Arizona's only premier underground cult film festival and is non-profit. Their mission is to showcase the work of filmmakers with defiantly independent visions. The founder and festival director is David Pike. http://www.azundergroundfilmfest.com

Keep up the great work guys!!

PassmoreLab is a sponsor of MarketSaw

Exclusive: EXTREME NATURE OF BATS Science Film Wraps Production!

Jim here. PassmoreLab sent us these exclusive photos and a great update upon their return from wrapping up photography in the Indian Ocean. This is serious work folks. I am impressed with the lengths at which these guys went to obtain the whole story in their latest 3D science film THE EXTREME NATURE OF BATS.

PHOTO: A vampire bat consumes the blood from a cow during production in the remote jungles of Mexico.

The film, which explores the truths, myths and dark legends that have stalked the world’s only flying mammal, closely examines three bat species; the free-tailed bat, the megabat, and the infamous vampire bat.

PassmoreLab’s production team traveled the world to film these bats in their natural habitats in order to tell their remarkable story.

Production began last year in October in a Texas bat cave, where the team filmed a resident population of 12 million Mexican free-tailed bats. From there, the crew traveled to Romania to tackle the myths surrounding bats and Bran Castle (better known as Dracula’s Castle), then backpacked through the jungles of Mexico to film the elusive vampire bat. Finally, after arriving in Africa, the team boarded a boat to a primitive island in the Indian Ocean to film the megabat.

“I took the crew over 42,000 miles to get these bats,” says Passmore. “We were on location in some amazing and amazingly remote places. For instance, the Indian Ocean island was wild, with giant spiders, huge bats, and very difficult terrain. It looked like we had landed in a Jules Verne novel.”

Bats fulfill multiple roles in different parts of the world. For instance, in North America they keep ecosystems in check, yet are symbols of fright; in the Indian Ocean they are a part of the food supply; and in Mexico bats treat animals and humans as a part of their food supply.

Through interpreters and local guides, Passmore began to hear about the legends of his subject matter. “The locals in one remote village in Mexico told us that they can hear the vampire bats making a screaming noise during the nightly cattle hunts.”

To try to capture that on film, the crew had to ditch the jeeps and go in by foot, backpacking for hours to an area where they could film these swarms of vampire bats in the moonlight drinking blood from cattle.
PHOTO: A megabat, clearly awake during the day while roosting in a tree, watches the crew closely.

“It was very still, very quiet, and then all at once…yes, there were screaming noises,” says Passmore. “It was eerie.”

“The Extreme Nature of Bats” is a new, educational 3D science film that chronicles the lives of these unique and interesting animals. Passmore’s objective was to find bat populations in locations where few crews have ever gone before, giving viewers a highly memorable, realistic journey and exposing them to a world they have never seen before.
“I wanted to go deep inside active bat caves and film from the inside out,” says Passmore. “I needed to understand the risks and rewards associated with large bat populations before I could put it onscreen.”

One sequence shows the megabats in the trees and sky, surrounded by the most incredible natural beauty on the edge of an ancient burial ground. And in the middle of all that activity, the local people are catching them in giant nets.

“Apparently, they go well with rice,” continues Passmore. “That just reinforced to me the need to better understand these creatures across cultural contexts,” continues Passmore. “A disease plaguing bats, White Nose Syndrome, is killing off entire bat colonies, and we are unsure why. Hopefully the film can help underscore the importance of these creatures and why we need to protect them.”

PHOTO: The PassmoreLab production crew backpacks across a remote island in the Indian Ocean.

The film now goes into post-production to be ready for rollout to museums and theatres. “We traveled far and wide to tell this story,” says Steve Glum, PassmoreLab’s head of Branding & Distribution. “It’s been an incredible expedition and we think audiences worldwide will be thrilled to experience this journey with us.”

PassmoreLab’s “The Extreme Nature of Bats” is scheduled for release to Science Centers and Museums in March, and will be translated into German and Spanish.

About PassmoreLab
PassmoreLab, the “World’s Largest 3D Content Provider”, is a San Diego-based multi-media production studio that specializes in 3D production. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions, shooting everything from feature films, television and science documentaries, to underwater diving, extreme sports and cave exploration http://www.passmorelab.com/PL2minTRAILER.mov. State-of-the-art facilities include a full 3D production studio, video/film post-production, optical development lab, and a software development environment. Production includes 2D, 3D, high dynamic range time lapse, stereoscopic microscopy and cutting-edge simulation technologies for real time SFX. PassmoreLab has additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. For more information, visit www.passmorelab.com.

Be sure to check out this fearless 3D science film. It looks spectacular! And we will learn something important at the same time.

PassmoreLab is a sponsor of MarketSaw.

Quick Link: ABC News Piece On THE EXTREME NATURE OF BATS

Jim here. Here is a quick link to an ABC News piece featuring the story we had a week ago about PassmoreLab's 3D film THE EXTREME NATURE OF BATS. Should be cool to see the environments in which Greg Passmore and his team had to shoot and the fascinating world bats live in. Check it out.

Look for the movie in March 2010 at IMAX, Science Centers and Museums!

PassmoreLab’s New 3D Film Delves Deep Inside the EXTREME NATURE OF BATS

Jim here. When Greg Passmore, president of San Diego-based 3D Production Studio PassmoreLab recently uttered the words ‘to the bat cave’, he wasn’t referring to atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed, Robin, The Dark Knight or Dracula. But all signs point to his bat cave being every bit as entertaining, creepy and biting.

Passmore was referring to a Texas bat cave where he was filming part of his latest science movie, “The Extreme Nature of Bats”, that has a resident population of 12 million of the little flying fanged mammals. These bats are as important to the surrounding ecosystem – and every single ecosystem in the world for that matter -- as the clean air and water that support them. But as beneficial as they are to nature controlling pests, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds, they can often be as deadly. Known carriers of the rabies virus -- which can be fatal to humans and animals -- bats’ dark reputation as nightstalkers is as much fact as it is fiction, and Passmore’s production is traveling the world filming bats in order to tell a balanced truth about them.

Now in production, “The Extreme Nature of Bats” is a new, 35 minute educational science film that will explore the myths and dark legends that have stalked the world's only flying mammal for hundreds of years. Through the wonders of digital 3D technology, audiences will learn that bats are unique and interesting animals; but, because of fear and misconceptions associated with them throughout history, they also are some of the most misunderstood animals in the world.

The film is being shot in various locations around the world and will examine several species of bats, including free-tailed bats, fruit bats, and vampire bats. Texas was chosen as one location because the territory contains some of the largest bat caves in the world, including maternity caves that are winter homes for millions of Mexican free-tailed bats. Other locations are quite exotic, including Africa, chosen for the fruit bat population; Belize, chosen to illustrate ancient Mayan ceremonial practices and primitive bat cave etchings; Romania, to further illuminate the myths surrounding Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle); and the jungles of Mexico, to film the infamous vampire bats.

Only three of the world’s approximate 1,000 bat species are vampire bats that drink the blood of other animals -- and occasionally humans. These rare species are only found in isolated parts of Central and South America. Once a vampire bat locates a host, such as a sleeping mammal, it lands and stealthily approaches it from the ground.

“Vampire bats are highly-evolved hunters. They have specialized thermoreceptors which help them locate areas where its preyʼs blood flows close to the skin. Their front teeth are specialized for cutting and removing skin and their saliva contains an anticoagulant which, when injected, prevents the prey's blood from clotting,” says Greg Passmore. “Often they will return night after night to the same animal, so they simply just have to pull back the scab from previous visits to feed on more blood.”
Passmore’s objective from the start was to take viewers on a highly-memorable, realistic journey and expose them to a world they have never seen before – from deep inside active bat caves filmed from the inside out – giving viewers a realistic understanding of the risks and rewards associated with large bat populations.

“This film is not a tame depiction of bats as cute little cave kittens,” says Passmore. “It’s real -- the good, the bad and the ugly. Millions of bats live in those caves, departing and returning, devouring tons of insects nightly. But they also die there.”

One sequence shows the bats as they die and fall from the roof of the cave into the muck of bat guano below, being quickly consumed by waiting Dermestid beetles and worms.

“That’s not your typical average bat movie fare, and I can attest to the fact that the circle of life inside a bat cave is actually quite bizarre and a little disturbing,” smiles Passmore.

The film will also explore the similarity between humans and bats. Interestingly, bats have the same basic arm and hand bones found in humans and most other mammals. However, the forelimbs of all bats developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of sustained flight.

More than half of America’s bat species are considered in decline or are already listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Wildlife experts agree that ignorance about bats and their habitats has contributed to their demise. It was Passmore’s passion for conservation and edgy story-telling that led to this film.

“I think this is an important film. The world needs to better understand these creatures before they are gone,” continues Passmore. “We are seeing new diseases like White Nose Syndrome that are killing off entire bat colonies, and that is tragic. Our film will hopefully do much for educating people about the importance of these creatures and why we need to protect them.”

There are close to 1,000 species of bats worldwide and they comprise more than one-fifth of all mammals. The film takes a straight-ahead approach to telling the story of the plight and flight of the worlds’ bat population. “The visuals speak for themselves, and I will admit that the storyline can get a little startling at times,” says Steve Glum, PassmoreLab’s head of Branding & Distribution. “But sometimes a little shock makes people stop and think, and I believe this film’s relevance fits well with the ever-growing worldwide concern for the planet’s well being.”

PassmoreLab’s “The Extreme Nature of Bats” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ23ZMBcVMg) is scheduled for release to IMAX, Science Centers and Museums in March 2010.

About PassmoreLab
PassmoreLab, the “World’s Largest 3D Content Provider”, is a San Diego-based multi-media production studio that specializes in 3D production. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions, shooting everything from feature films, television and science documentaries, to underwater diving, extreme sports and cave exploration http://www.passmorelab.com/PL2minTRAILER.mov. State-of-the-art facilities include a full 3D production studio, video/film post-production, optical development lab, and a software development environment. Production includes 2D, 3D, high dynamic range time lapse, stereoscopic microscopy and cutting-edge simulation technologies for real time SFX. PassmoreLab has additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. For more information, visit www.passmorelab.com.

I am a firm believer in the use of stereoscopic 3D in education. The more synapses we have firing the better and 3D makes it happen! This is one to check out for sure...

PassmoreLab is a sponsor of MarketSaw.