First AVATAR Sequel Not Happening In 2018 - No Firm Date Set

Want the good news or the bad news? Bad news? Ok. The first sequel to the record-breaking James Cameron opus AVATAR will not be released in 2018.

James Cameron: "Well, 2018 is not happening. We haven’t announced a firm release date. What people have to understand is that this is a cadence of releases. So we’re not making Avatar 2. We’re making Avatar 2, 3, 4 and 5. It’s an epic undertaking. It’s not unlike building the Three Gorges dam. (Laughs) So I know where I’m going to be for the next eight years of my life. It’s not an unreasonable time frame if you think about it. It took us four-and-a-half years to make one movie and now we’re making four. We’re full tilt boogie right now. This is my day job and pretty soon we’ll be 24-7. We’re pretty well designed on all our creatures and sets. It’s pretty exciting stuff. I wish I could share with the world. But we have to preserve a certain amount of showmanship and we’re going to draw that curtain when the time is right."

The good news is Cameron and his team are going full bore now. It takes a tremendous amount of work to get even one movie of this scope made, let alone four of them concurrently. Cameron is now keyed in. Once they hit 24-7 as he says, we'll see some amazing progress.

The delay doesn't surprise me, but now that the wheels are in motion and barring any technological problems we should see their next date stick. Sure it's disappointing to hear of further delays but we all want amazing movies. I'm sure we'll get that. Stay tuned.

Source: Toronto Star

Thou Shalt Shoot Movies In 3D: Ridley Scott Working On MOSES

Wow. Ridley Scott let it slip to Esquire magazine that he is already working on his next project of biblical proportions entitled MOSES. The movie and PROMETHEUS are obviously not related, although there seems to be obvious religious overtones to both movies.

The question of 3D was not raised unfortunately so nothing is certain - except that Ridley favors the format, so my fingers are crossed. 

The Esquire magazine interview actually sounded as though the interviewer had prior knowledge of his production slate as he was asking very leading questions...

Check it out:

Ridley Scott (RS): Can you think of a good one? A just and kind and tolerant religion? 

Esquire (ES): Not off the top of my head, no.

RS: Everyone is tearing each other apart in the name of their personal god. And the irony is, by definition, they're probably worshipping the same god.

ES: You know what would be awesome? You need to make a film adaptation of a Bible story.

RS: Oh, yeah.

ES: Maybe the Virgin birth? No movie's ever told that story with enough gloopy, viscous afterbirth.

RS: No, I've got something else in the works. I'm already doing it. It's called Moses.

ES: You're kidding.

RS: Seriously, seriously. It's going to happen.

ES: With all apologies to Charlton Heston, that sounds like it's going to be the most amazing film about Moses ever made.

RS: It is. I probably shouldn't have let that slip out. I'm not supposed to say anything.

ES: Who am I going to tell?

RS: It's definitely in the cards, though. What's interesting to me about Moses isn't the big stuff that everybody knows. It's things like his relationship with Ramses [II, the pharaoh]. I honestly wasn't paying attention in school when I was told the story of Moses. Some of the details of his life are extraordinary.

I'm definitely down for another period piece from Ridley! I wonder what he has in store? Interesting!



Source: Esquire via First Showing

3net 3D Television Production Guide Available for Download

The 3D Production Guide Available for Download Now!

Tim here. 3net, the 24/7 3D network and 3D television production studio, along with joint venture partners Discovery, Sony and IMAX, today announced the release of the most complete guide to 3D television production ever assembled. Featuring stereoscopic expertise from the top producers and technical advisors of the company and its corporate ownership, The 3D Production Guide has now been made freely available to the public today via multiple websites, it was announced today on behalf of 3net and its corporate partners by Tom Cosgrove, President & CEO of 3net.

"One of the core missions of 3net and our parent companies is to shepherd the emergence and proliferation of 3D television by combining our resources, expertise and experience to provide the most extensive tools and resources available today to the world’s 3D production community,” said Cosgrove. “The hands-on knowledge garnered by our collective companies provides an unprecedented resource - not only our current production partners - but for all of those involved in this dynamic medium.”

The 50-page illustrated manual includes detailed information garnered from the combined 50 years of experience in the area of 3D from those who contributed to its creation. The guide outlines in detail all of the facets involved in creating top-quality 3D content for television, from initial workflow planning, to production, post production, stereographic correction and final delivery.

The 3D Production Guide is a living document outlining current best practices in the area of 3D production for television. It is the result of extensive contributions from the 3D experts of 3net’s partner companies Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX Corporation.

The guide was authored by Bert Collins, Josh Derby, Bruce Dobrin, Don Eklund, Buzz Hays, Jim Houston, George Joblove and Spencer Stephens, with Bert Collins and Josh Derby serving as editors. It will be constantly updated and amended as the dynamics of 3D television production continue to evolve.

About 3net:
3net, the joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications and IMAX Corporation brings together three of the world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies to provide the nation's first and only fully programmed, 24/7 3D network and production studio. The three partners deliver an extraordinary collection of award-winning 3D content, technology and production expertise, television distribution and operational strength to the project, with a mission to bring viewers the highest quality and most immersive in-home 3D viewing programming possible. The channel features the most extensive library of 3D content in the world, including genres that are most appealing in 3D, including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, travel, history, kids and family, hyper-reality, lifestyle and cuisine, concerts, movies, scripted series and more. 3net is currently available on DIRECTV channel 107.

PARADISE LOST Indeed. Canned By Legendary!

Sad news today: Legendary Pictures has canned the Alex Proyas directed adaptation of the John Milton poem of good vs. evil, PARADISE LOST.

As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Bradley Cooper (who would have played Lucifer) was saying that all is well and that production will move ahead in June.

Certainly the talent and creative crew was in place for this epic movie to get made - so just what happened? Rather, what didn't happen: The visual effects requirements for this film were just too out of reach to be considered for a self imposed $120m budget. This despite Legendary already spending low 8 figures to get the project to the 11th hour.

This has to be a tough pill to swallow for Legendary. And it certainly is for fans of Proyas and Cooper. I was really looking forward to this movie getting made - how they were going to get this done was as interesting as the final product. Like James Cameron films. Cameron has often had to wait for technology to catch up.

There is always a chance that this beast gets picked up at a later date, perhaps when said VFX technology is in place. Here's hoping.

Source: Deadline

Clearlake Capital Invests in 3ality Digital, Global Leader in Advanced 3D Technology

3ality Digital Poised to Capitalize on 3D Explosion

Burbank, CA and Santa Monica, CA – April 12, 2011 – Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (“Clearlake”) and 3ality Digital today announced that Clearlake led and sponsored the recapitalization of 3ality Digital, the leading provider of 3D production technology and specialized equipment to the film and television industry. In connection with the transaction, Clearlake has acquired the majority of the newly-issued preferred stock of the company and will own a majority of the voting shares of 3ality Digital. 3ality Digital management also participated in the transaction. Additional terms were not disclosed.

“3ality Digital provides the highest quality 3D production technologies and equipment for film and television companies,” said Behdad Eghbali, a founding partner at Clearlake. “In addition, 3ality Digital reduces the cost and time associated with 3D production, provides superior images, and reduces eye strain. We are very pleased to partner with this proven and innovative team as the momentum behind 3D continues to build and as 3ality Digital continues to lead the way.”

“Clearlake Capital is investing in the biggest revolution in entertainment and sports production today – the emergence of 3D film and video programming, and we are thrilled to welcome them at this exciting time,” said Steve Schklair, Founder of 3ality Digital, who will continue to serve as the company’s CEO. “3ality Digital offers acknowledged leadership and best-in-class technologies, and we have been first in almost every 3D production event around the world. The backing of world-class investors ensures our continued significant investment in cutting-edge technologies that are driving down costs while significantly improving quality in 3D production.”

“As an early investor in 3ality Digital, the Modell family is thrilled to be joined by outstanding new partners,” said David Modell, Chairman of 3ality Digital. “Clearlake Capital has made a large commitment that is a strong validation of our strategy and our position as a 3D technology development leader at the top of this exploding market.”

In connection with the transaction, Mr. Eghbali and Prashant Mehrotra, a Vice President at Clearlake, have joined the Company’s Board of Directors.

Headwaters MB acted as financial advisor to Clearlake in this transaction.

3ality Digital provides the film and television industry with camera platforms, stereo image processing systems and stereoscopic 3D (S3D) image scaling technologies that are considered the “gold standard” for the production of compelling and immersive S3D entertainment. The company’s systems are unique because they integrate software intelligence with precise hardware automation, and allow the production of superb S3D on a 2D schedule, with minimal impact on the bottom line. 3ality Digital’s equipment and technologies are optimized to handle the demands of live S3D broadcast, and are rapidly being adopted by networks, production companies, studios and consumer electronics manufacturers. 3ality Digital’s technology is already being used on feature films such as THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN which is currently in production.

3ality Digital’s newest product line, 3space™, aims to forever change the experience and quality of every imaginable form of 3D entertainment, 3D sports, 3D commercial shoots and even 3D episodic television. 3space revolutionizes the production of live-action 3D by automating the most complex and time-consuming processes associated with shooting 3D. 3space ensures faster, easier and more reliable results than any other system in the industry while reducing or eliminating the additional labor typically required for 3D shoots.

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About 3ality Digital
3ality Digital is a pioneer and leading authority in stereoscopic 3D (S3D). 3ality Digital provides the film and television industry with camera platforms, stereo image processing systems and S3D image scaling technologies that are considered the “gold standard” for the production of compelling and immersive S3D entertainment. Whether for a feature film or live sporting event, its innovative technology empowers customers to stay in control of creativity when working with S3D.

Founded in 2000 by CEO, Steve Schklair, 3ality Digital has a reputation as an innovator in S3D, with its technology powering multiple live-action firsts. This includes: U2 3D, the first movie shot completely in live-action S3D; the first live S3D broadcast of an NFL game (Raiders vs. Chargers, December 4, 2008, broadcasted to a select audience); the first live S3D sports broadcast available to consumers, including the 2009 BCS Championship Game, BSkyB’s landmark Manchester United vs. Arsenal soccer broadcast (January 31, 2010), the first network hockey telecast ever produced in S3D (New York Rangers vs. Islanders, March 24 2010 on MSG); the first S3D commercial broadcast during a Super Bowl (Sobe “Lizard Lake”); the first full episode of a scripted television series shot in live-action S3D (Chuck vs. The Third Dimension, aired on NBC on February 2, 2009); and first RED EPIC S3D Movie, 'The Amazing Spider-Man.’

For more information, please visit www.3alitydigital.com

About Clearlake Capital Group
Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is a private investment firm focused on special situations such as corporate divestitures, recapitalizations, buyouts, restructurings, turnarounds and other equity investments. Clearlake seeks to partner with world-class management teams by providing patient, long-term capital and operational expertise to invest in businesses going through change. Clearlake’s founding principals have led over 50 investments totaling more than $2.6 billion of capital in sectors including business services, communications and media, energy and power, healthcare, manufacturing, retail/consumer and technology. For more information, please visit www.clearlakecapital.com.

3ality Digital is a sponsor of MarketSaw.