Blackmagic Design Releases 3D VFX Software Fusion 7

Tim here, and today Blackmagic Design announced that they are releasing the popular visual effects and motion graphics software Fusion 7 for free, with a Studio version for as low as $995. Wow! Like Blackmagic did with DaVinci Resolve and color grading they have now done with Eyeon's Fusion. Back in September Blackmagic announced that it had bought Eyeon in order to acquire this software. Read the full press release below:

Blackmagic Design Revolutionizes the Visual Effects Industry with Fusion 7

Fremont, CA - November 10, 2014 - Blackmagic Design today announced that Fusion 7, the world's most advanced visual effects and motion graphics software, is now available completely free of charge.
Fusion 7 for Windows can be downloaded from the Blackmagic Design website now.
Previously getting access to high end visual effects tools such as Fusion cost thousands of dollars, so it was more restricted to elite Hollywood visual effects artists. Now with Fusion 7 being available free of charge there is no limit to block anyone from creating world leading visual effects. Blackmagic Design believes this will revolutionize the industry and consumers will be able to watch dramatically better feature films and television shows in the future.
Also announced was Fusion 7 Studio, a complete bundle of VFX and motion graphics solutions with collaborative tools and unlimited network rendering for creative teams and larger facilities. Fusion 7 Studio drastically reduces the cost of setting up multi user studios. Fusion 7 Studio will be available for $995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Fusion has been one of Hollywood's leading visual effects and motion graphic tools for over 25 years and has been used on thousands of feature film and television projects, including blockbusters like Maleficent, Edge of Tomorrow, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, The Amazing Spider-man 2 and The Hunger Games, as well as hit television shows like Battlestar Galactica, Orphan Black and many more.
The free of charge Fusion 7 is a fully featured solution and is not limited in it's features. It has a massive visual effects and motion graphics toolset that can be used for both personal and commercial work. Fusion 7 features an infinite 3D workspace and an easy to use node based workflow for quickly building unlimited effects. Customers get advanced 3D compositing, paint, rotoscope, retiming, stabilization, titling, an amazing 3D particle generator and multiple keyers, including Primatte. Fusion 7 also lets customers import and render 3D geometry and scenes from other applications as well as create their own elements from scratch.
The $995 Fusion 7 Studio includes everything found in the free Fusion 7 software, plus adds extra high end features such as optical flow tools for advanced retiming, stabilization and stereoscopic 3D production, support for third party OpenFX plug ins, and distributed network rendering so customers can render jobs on an unlimited number of computers at no additional cost! Fusion 7 Studio also includes Generation, a studio wide multi user workflow and collaboration tool that helps creative teams manage, track and review versions of every shot in a production. Customers can also move projects from the free Fusion 7 software to a workstation running Fusion 7 Studio and take advantage of workflow collaboration and unlimited distributed network rendering.
Unlike other software, Fusion 7 Studio doesn't require annual maintenance fees, subscriptions, a connection to the cloud, or per node render license costs. That means customers don't get tricked into hidden or on going costly payments for software they've already purchased.
"Visual effects software has been expensive for way too long and it's time that this changed. Consumers are screaming for more exciting movies and television programs and so we need to do everything we can to help our customers create stunning visual effects," said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. "Now, with the free version of Fusion, everyone from individual artists to the biggest studios can create Hollywood caliber visual effects and motion graphics! When combined with DaVinci Resolve Lite, customers can get the world's most advanced tools for editing, grading, 3D compositing, visual effects and motion graphics, all absolutely free!"

Availability and Price

Fusion 7 software for Windows is available for download now from the Blackmagic Design web site free of charge. Fusion 7 Studio will be available for $995 at all Blackmagic Design Resellers. Existing Fusion 7 customers and customers on a current Fusion support plan can upgrade to Fusion Studio at no additional charge by contacting Blackmagic Design.

About Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design creates the world's highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design's DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company's Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.

This is incredibly significant because what it means is that the software is available to a whole demographic of independent filmmakers who wouldn't have had access to it before. It also makes doing a stereoscopic 3D production more affordable to a certain extent. The full Studio version of the software comes with numerous stereoscopic 3D controls that aren't available in the free version. According to the official page's information: "Fusion Studio includes the world's most advanced camera matching, stereo alignment, convergence and spatialization tools for creating realistic, eye popping stereo 3D!"

Comprehensive Stereoscopic Tools

When you're shooting stereoscopic 3D it can be incredibly difficult to get perfectly aligned 3D images from the left and right eye cameras and lenses. Fusion uses an optical flow toolset that goes far beyond simple transforms and keystone adjustments to correct the intricate alignment and disparity issues that can occur during production. When creating stereoscopic composites, Fusion simplifies complicated stereoscopic workflows by using a single camera instead of complex stereo camera rigs. Fusion can even create 3D from 2D source material, and is used by more studios than any other solution to convert 2D movies into 3D!

STEREOSCOPIC WORKFLOW

Stereoscopic Production

Fusion Studio is a complete solution for stereo conversion! You can rotoscope different elements for displacement, add a 3D camera to your scene and then adjust for eye separation and convergence distance for amazing 2D to 3D conversions!

Stereo 3D Disparity tools

Fusion Studio includes specific tools to solve intricate issues that result from live action stereo production. Repair polarization, color, defocus and even timing differences between two cameras!

Optical Flow

Automatically repair problems with footage using advanced Optical Flow image analysis in Fusion Studio! Remove scratches and dust, smooth color variations and grain, even use optical flow to create super smooth retiming effects!

This is pretty sweet! And this software has been used on numerous Hollywood Blockbusters, including a few 3D flicks you might recognize. Fusion has been used for nearly 25 years to create the visual effects and motion graphics for some of Hollywood's biggest blockbuster films and television shows. This is the first time it is available so widely at two great prices: FREE & $1K.

Now it is only available for Windows Systems at this time. However, Grant Petty revealed on the Blackmagic Forums that they are working on a Mac OS version. Yet, at this time it is impossible for them to predict when that release will be. This is due to the infrastructure of the buttons having been built for Windows with the coding. They haven't left out the Mac users, and plan on opening it up to them as well as to allow all independent filmmakers the option to start experimenting with the free version and then move on to the full Studio version.

So there you have it. If you're running Windows you can head over to the Blackmagic Design Support Page and download it: here

Movie Review: Ang Lee's LIFE OF PI - 9 Stars!

What a visually stunning, stunning movie. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, by all means get out and enjoy this masterpiece by director Ang Lee. And I mean Oscar worthy masterpiece. Lee hits on all the high points and seldom do you think that what you are watching is not an eye full of cinematic love for the audience.

I will say that at times the story was kind of slow in building up but when the moment hits and Pi's life is turned upside down - what a visual treat.

I want to talk about the 3D right away here. Amazingly well done. Ang Lee utilized native 3D through the rigs and services of the Cameron | Pace Group and you can tell that there just aren't many - if any - technical errors with the stereoscopic 3D. Some very cool and seldom used effects too - I won't go into details here as it may spoil your experience, but we can freely talk about them in the comments if you wish.

I'm so anxious to compare this cutting edge example of modern native S3D (through Cameron | Pace) to the upcoming sure to be masterpiece THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY because this project was shot using CPG's native 3D rigs and services competitor 3ality Technica and what we've all seen so far of that production has been jaw dropping too. Who will have delivered the top 3D goods?

Claudio Miranda's cinematography in LIFE OF PI is absolutely remarkable. Some shots are so intricate and well thought out that you just want to grab a screen cap of it and stare at it. So many scenes are desktop wallpaper worthy and that's no exaggeration.

So what was not so good about the movie? Well a few things. I thought the story was paced slowly at times in the beginning - still a visual marvel out of the blocks - but slow. So drink in the visuals while you wait for the action to pick up and then relax and immerse yourself. I am not a fan of character development accomplished through flashbacks (and I know there is not much choice here), thus the lower score (81 is still very good!).

Here's the storyline for the movie:

A man named Pi tells a story that occurred when he was 16. When his family decides to move their zoo from India to Canada, Pi winds up as the only human survivor of the tragic sinking of a cargo ship. On the sea in a lifeboat, he's accompanied by the other survivors—a zebra, a hyena, a female orangutan and a 450-pound aggressive Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.

I did like the twist at the end of the movie. Even coming from a guy who considers himself much more aligned to science than religion, I found it to be moving enough to smile. That's an accomplishment in my books. I can imagine the impact on a more religious person.

So definitely a must see in my opinion and a must see in 3D. If you see it in 2D you are not enjoying the movie as the director Ang Lee intended you to see it and you will be missing out, I guarantee it.

9 out of 10 Stars.

Special thanks to Empire Theatres for the screening in RealD 3D. The screen was crisp and well lit as well as a perfect sound level! Outstanding customer service too.

See: Three FINAL DESTINATION 5 Posters

Well the first three FINAL DESTINATION 5 posters have dropped and they are pretty much standard fare for the franchise - what can I say? The ominous skull is present in all of course and the prerequisite teens in peril / cowering! Looks to be somewhat higher stakes though regarding special effects as a lengthy suspension bridge will take massive damage this time around for the opening death scene.

Click the images to enlarge. Check out the higher resolution version over at IMP Awards (via Collider).

You all know the premise - Death comes after a group of teens that "mistakenly" avoid death in some horrific accident only to be reassigned a future death in the order in which they should have perished. And most of those deaths are quite inventive indeed.

FINAL DESTINATION 5 is special though. It is being shot with the Cameron - Pace Group's Fusion 3D Cameras, the same ones that Michael Bay used to shoot TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. So it's in native 3D, just like it's immediate predecessor.

Here is the official description and synopsis from last fall:
Production is underway on New Line Cinema’s fifth installment of the “Final Destination” franchise, which began back in 2000, with the original film quickly becoming a cult hit. The new victims of Death’s plan are part of a cast led by Emma Bell (Frozen, TV’s “The Walking Dead”) and Nick D’Agosto (Fired Up!, TV’s “Heroes”). The film is being shot on location in Vancouver, Canada.

The second of the “Final Destination” films to be shot in 3-D, Final Destination 5 is being directed by Steve Quale, marking his major feature film directorial debut. Producer Craig Perry (”American Pie”) returns for the fifth time, working with executive producers Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Erik Holmberg, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada and David Neustadter. The screenplay was written by Eric Heisserer, with revisions by Gary Dauberman; Heisserer is no stranger to the horror genre, having penned New Line’s recent hit A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Final Destination 5 brings together an ensemble cast that includes Bell and D’Agosto, along with Miles Fisher (TV’s “Mad Men” and “Gossip Girl”), Arlen Escarpeta (Friday the 13th), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (TV’s “The Bold and the Beautiful”), P.J. Byrne (Dinner for Schmucks) and Ellen Wroe (TV’s “Huge”). Rounding out the rest of the cast are Courtney B. Vance (TV’s “FlashForward,” “ER”), David Koechner (”The Office,” Anchorman) and “Final Destination” franchise icon Tony Todd (Hatchet II).

In this fifth installment, Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and is unleashed after one man’s premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to survive, and, in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death’s sinister agenda.

Collaborating with Steve Quale behind the scenes are director of photography Brian Pearson (Drive Angry 3D, My Bloody Valentine 3D); production designer David Sandefur (Repo Men, Journey to the Center of the Earth); editor Eric Sears (Shooter) and costume designer Jori Woodman (Eight Below).

The film is a production of New Line Cinema and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Stay tuned for more developments on this film! Can't wait to see the results from the CPG Fusion system again soon...

FINAL DESTINATION 5 opens August 26.

9 Stars - TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON Advanced Review

There are no spoilers in this review, but you are free to discuss anything you wish about the movie in the comments section below.

Click on the images to enlarge.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON has the best 3D and action movie I have seen to date. Staggeringly well done and a must see in stereoscopic 3D. NINE STARS!

While I technically have DARK OF THE MOON (86.43/100) trailing slightly behind another action movie - THOR (88.6/100), that is only because of some issues with story and characters - NOT the visuals. If you want an entertaining and at times jaw dropping summer popcorn experience, DARK OF THE MOON is it. Michael Bay has set the bar at its current peak. Nothing has been better to date including AVATAR. As you probably know by now, it was shot with the same technology (only upgraded!).

I am ecstatic to say that the issues with bright light and native 3D have been solved - at least with this movie. It could very well be that the scenes that Bay captured with the bright sun beaming into the camera lens were converted (he did do a small portion of the movie with conversion). All I know is, the bright light hazing phenomenon is gone. In fact we are left with gorgeous lens flaring in 3D which is a genius way of adding the effect of something coming at you that is not considered startling, but to the contrary - gorgeous natural lighting! My hearty applause for that Mr. Bay!

However, there were issues with characters and story unfortunately. NOT as much trouble as with TRANSFORMERS 2 mind you! Not nearly as much. There is actually almost a very compelling character in Sentinel Prime that I was quite pleased with indeed. I say almost because so much more could have been done. Still it was a pleasure to see something develop on the screen regarding characters. I recognize the challenge in doing something with autobots though, clearly.
The story needs much more emotion and motivation. I just wasn't feeling as much as I should have been. All of that destruction and chaos for what exactly? I didn't even feel the dread of what was happening because the end result was unclear. Can't talk too much more about things with out giving it away, but there it is.

TF3 is far and away the best of the three in my mind however. If you liked the first one, stand in line baby 'cause you'll love this one. AND if you are a Leonard Nimoy / Spock fan like I am, you are in for many, MANY treats! :-) I won't say more!!

Let's breakdown the aspects of my review:

Stereoscopic 3D (10 stars):
Perfect 3D. The very very rare artifact that I detected is not worth mentioning. And as I said above, the bright light 3D issues have been resolved and I was broadly smiling from that alone. Simple static shots with the Fusion 3D system were in fact better than conversions. It is a pure capture of space with native 3D and not an interpretation and I guess that makes all the difference. Don't get me wrong - 3D conversion has come a long- way, but those native shots were definitely better. A lay person may not notice the difference, but I do. I would wager that the more they watch the movie the more chance they would see how it is superior. The best 3D I have seen to date - therefore gets a perfect 10 from me!!

Story (7 stars):
Nothing has changed all that much with the character development of Shia's Sam Witwicky or the autobots. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was a definite improvement over Megan Fox. Frances McDormand added a touch of respectibility. But when all is said and done, you are left thinking about the superb action and 3D rather than the story or characters.

The standard TRANSFORMERS humor is definitely still present and I laughed out loud several times. You'll enjoy those moments.

Acting (8 stars):
Acting was ok. Nothing too intense for sure! Shia has improved somewhat and at least he isn't running around shouting "no, no, no, no, no, no, nooooooo" if you know what I mean. Clearly Rosie is better for the movie than Megan was because Rosie has an element of class and elegance. You can see why Sam falls for her (other than looks that is).

The real stars of the movie are the action and 3D. They deserve top billing. Oscars will be piling up on the effects guys on this one no doubt.

Character Development (8 stars):
If it wasn't for Sentinel Prime I would not be happy with this category at all really for TF3. But the Nimoy driven character was very fascinating (no pun intended).

Suspension of Disbelief (9 stars):
Superlative special effects and jaw dropping 3D brought on just about perfect suspension of disbelief. It looked so real. Nothing was telling you that this couldn't happen other than the innate childishness of the autobots to begin with. But we are all past that by now aren't we? I am. Its part of our culture now.

Directing (9 stars):
There are only two directors on this planet that could deliver this type of movie. James Cameron and Michael Bay. Bay stepped up and topped himself for this effort. I think he even topped Cameron (for action that is). Cameron can weave a superb story and character arc with his action, but for pure bred, in your face, "what did I just see" action - Bay is the man. For that, he gets 9 stars.

Sound / Score (10 stars - rounded up):
Wow. Extremely well done and bone shattering. The almost perfect compliment to what is being presented on the big screen. It needs to reinforce the visuals and IT DOES in a big way.

Cinematography (10 stars - rounded up):
Amir Mokri was masterful (he's also doing MAN OF STEEL). Bay and Mokri work well together and you have to on a project like this. The coordination of the stunts, pyrotechnics, actors, camera movement / focus and Bay's vision has writing on the wall for an Oscar. It is that good.

Special Effects / Stunts (10 stars - unreserved):
The best I have seen to date. No exceptions. Therefore TF3 gets a 10 from me. I need not say more - GO SEE IT!!!

This is the movie event of the summer so far! HARRY POTTER and CAPTAIN AMERICA may have something to say about it, but for pure visuals and entertainment, you can't beat DARK OF THE MOON. I give this movie my unreserved blessing for you to go see. It is worth the money for 3D and I recommend IMAX 3D if you have it available.

Let me know what you think!!! SPOILERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE COMMENTS - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

“TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON” Embraces Fusion 3D

I've seen the movie. It delivers on the promises! The 3D and action is staggering - full review coming up shortly...

CAMERON | PACE Group’s FUSION 3D System Shoots the First-Ever “Transformers” Story in 3D

CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) announces it is the innovative company behind the FUSION 3D system outfitted with F35 cameras and SLATE²SCREEN™ 3D production support services for Paramount’s live-action 3D film, “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON,” from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg. As the first-ever “Transformers” film to be released in 3D and the third installment in the blockbuster “Transformers” series, it will be released exclusively in 3D tonight and everywhere on June 29, 2011.

“At the start, Bay was really against using 3D as a medium,” said Vince Pace, Co-Chairman and CEO of CAMERON | PACE Group. “After working with FUSION 3D, Bay really embraced it as a creative and powerful storytelling medium and used it aggressively to capture this live-action, high-octane production.”

CAMERON | PACE Group (formerly PACE) also pioneered an advanced mobile X frame system for video engineering that allowed director Michael Bay and cinematographer Amir M. Mokri to capture “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON” footage with complete flexibility and mobility while shooting on location in Chicago, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.

“FUSION 3D was able to keep up with Bay’s fast-paced shooting style and was flexible and adaptable enough to meet any of the creative or live production challenges,” said Dave Canning, 3D Engineer of CAMERON | PACE Group.

CAMERON | PACE Group's technology and innovation has resulted in over $5 billion of box office receipts and major 3D benchmarks recognized within the industry including the sci-fi epic blockbuster, “AVATAR.” The FUSION 3D system development began over a decade ago and through constant innovation has become the most utilized, creative and advanced workflow system available within the industry. Upcoming FUSION 3D productions include Paul W.S. Anderson’s “The Three Musketeers,” Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo Cabret,” Andrew Adamson’s “Cirque du Soleil,” Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” and Carl Rinsch’s “47 Ronin” and much more.

About CAMERON | PACE Group:
CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) is a trend-creating technology and production services firm. CPG is advancing the future of 3D across all media channels by making the most advanced products, support solutions and creative tools available and accessible to networks, studios, broadcasters, filmmakers and creative teams around the globe. The company is singularly dedicated to building upon the strong foundation of innovative technology developed by its
visionary co-founders, James Cameron, Vince Pace and Patrick Campbell and leveraging its unmatched 3D expertise to help content producers realize 3D's full potential as a creative and powerful storytelling medium. CAMERON | PACE Group was founded in 2011 by Vince Pace and James Cameron and is headquartered in Burbank, CA.

For more information, please visit, www.cameronpace.com

About the Movie:
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON is directed by Michael Bay, written by Ehren Kruger and produced by Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. The executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. When a mysterious event from Earth’s past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us. The movie stars Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Patrick Dempsey, Kevin Dunn, Julie White with John Malkovich and Frances McDormand. It will be released by Paramount Pictures exclusively in 3D on June 28th and everywhere on June 29th.
© 2011 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

HASBRO, TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
© 2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

For more information on the movie, please visit, http://www.transformersmovie.com/

Michael Bay Simply Loves 3D: "It's Spectacular"

Michael Bay has come full circle and I can't wait to see the results in TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.

Empire recently spoke with the director about the movie and using 3D. For those of you who don't know, Bay is using James Cameron / Vince Pace's technology (AVATAR) for the native 3D shots. Should be AMAZING.

Here is what Bay had to say:
“Ridley Scott once said, ‘Michael Bay and I have always been shooting in 3D.’ What he meant by that is that I always put background, mid-ground, foreground in all my shots.”

"Cameron was like, 'Mike, directors like you have to do 3D or it is going to die.' I love it when you see these things: 'The 3D event of the year!' You see it every movie. There was a recent movie where you go in and before it starts they put up a little plate: 'These scenes were not shot in 3D.' Are you kidding? I think our 3D works really well with the robots, the size, the girth, the weight of it… it’s spectacular."

I love it when an action director the caliber of Michael Bay gets amped about S3D! Who knows what we are going to see in this thing. We could be in for a serious treat here guys! I agree with Bay: We needed him on the S3D team. We got him. Love it.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON opens July 1.

More when I get it...

3D Geek Alert: James Cameron Showing Off His Fusion 3D Camera System! Awesome!!

Guys - check this one out!! No need to explain what is going on here as the clip is self explanatory. ENJOY!!!



Wish I had one of these puppies in my office to play around with!! I do have something else on its way though that I am very excited about... more on that VERY soon!! :-)

3D Geek Alert: Scorsese's 3D Steadicam Rig For HUGO CABRET And More Info On Just What Cameras He Is Using...

Got a couple of interesting behind the scenes news items for you 3D geeks out there who are following Martin Scorsese's project HUGO CABRET.

First, Andrea from 3D-Life.it sent me some cool backstage photos (which I always love receiving) which show us 3D steadicam operator Chris Fawcett using a rather interesting 3D rig setup (click for larger images). Note that you can configure the set up for an operator to stand up or sit down as needed. Be sure to click through to 3D-Life for more shots.

As these shots demonstrate, Scorsese is using a 3D beam-splitter rig (not sure of manufacturer yet) to house two ARRI Alexa cameras used with a steadicam package on a Segway! How cool is that? Makes sense that it would be quite functional too. The Segway would relieve the weight burden of carrying that equipment for the operator.

Second, I recently spoke with Vince Pace who is, as usual, extremely busy. Pace has been given the contract to supply 3D cameras and expertise for HUGO CABRET. As part of the deal, PACE has taken delivery of the first ARRI Alexa cameras and has 23 more on the way. Yes, you read that right - Scorsese approached PACE for their expertise in shooting 3D and not necessarily their proprietary Fusion 3D cameras that were used for AVATAR. That is not to say that the Fusion cameras are not being used though. To the contrary. More on that in the next post. I am sure you will be very interested...

Very cool to see PACE being tapped for their stereoscopic expertise and not just for their cameras alone. 3ality Digital is experiencing the same industry needs of late and I have pinged them for an update as well. More when I get it!

Must Watch - RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE Trailer!!

Jim here. First look at the trailer for RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE and it looks... GREAT! Perhaps the best one yet? Could very well be. Certainly 3D is going to add a lot to the franchise.

RE:A is slated for 3D theaters September 10, 2010.

Please take note that Director Paul W.S. Anderson is doing this strictly with native 3D. He is shooting on the James Cameron / Vince Pace FUSION cameras - no 3d conversion with RE:A.

I think the visuals look stunning and the 3D will bring us even further in. Of course if you read MarketSaw you know I am a sucker for zombie movies and RE is one of the few franchises that has delivered some good moments. I will be first in line...

THIS IS IT: Michael Jackson's Concert Movie Gets A Date With 3D

Jim here. Michael Jackson's concert movie is a go and slated for this October 30 - Halloween weekend. Here is what we know so far:

According to the LATimes, Kenny Ortega (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL) is being courted to direct the movie as he was Jackson's creative partner for the concert series. Whoever directs will be the lead on sifting through all the concert rehearsal / behind the scenes (BTS) footage and selecting the scenes to include for the King of Pop's fans.

Portions of the movie will indeed be in 3D. In conversations I have had with Vince Pace, there were 3D shots taken of Jackson and others with the FUSION cameras that were intended to be used for a huge display that would have graced his THIS IS IT stage in London. They were shooting for 10 days so the footage could be instrumental for this movie - at least the 3D portions of it.

Pace was contacted to do the work on the project in the middle of May and both Vince and Jim Cameron felt it was a perfect fit.

Says Vince: "It was an exciting project and we were proud to be a part of it. Michael Jackson was always ahead of the pack and his embrace of 3D proved that he was still innovating. Both Jim and I were anxious to see the results of the collaboration of everyone involved."

So now we know that those 3D shots will be in the concert movie. I am a sucker for BTS footage so I will be most intrigued with the informal shots. Sony paid $60m for the rights so it will be done right I am sure.

OMG. RESIDENT EVIL 4 In 3D!

Jim here. I don't know about you, but ZOMBIES FREAK ME OUT. I have never hidden this from view and if the world was ever exposed to a zombie takeover - I have a plan. :-)

So it is with mixed emotions that I am posting about RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE being planned in stereoscopic 3D. And not just any 3D, but the same camera tech that James Cameron co-developed and is using for AVATAR: Pace Fusion 3D. One one hand the visuals should be stunningly immersive - like you are really there... and on the other hand - it is like you are REALLY THERE. With zombies.

ShockTilYouDrop has the news from an interview with Paul WS Anderson (Writer, Director) about the next shot of the franchise, the most expensive of the lot: "I always envisioned Resident Evil as a trilogy of films, and we've been very lucky where it's a trilogy where the audience has built and built. I wanted to kick off a brand new trilogy. I'm really excited we're doing it [in 3-D] and we're using the same camera system [James] Cameron used for Avatar. There are a lot of exciting things about this one. I don't regard it as Resident Evil 4, I regard it as a re-tooling and rebirth of the entire franchise."

STYD also confirmed that Milla Jovovich will be returning along with some characters from previous movies and the video games. Expect RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE in 3D theaters on September 17, 2010!

Who else has their own plans drawn up in case of zombie invasion? I'm not alone here am I?

Variety Got It Wrong: James Cameron Not Personally Signed to CAA

Michael here.  I knew something was fishy.

It turns out my confusion regarding Cameron signing with CAA was for good reason: Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that Variety was mistaken regarding CAA representing Cameron personally.

According to Finke, "everybody close to Cameron, including his guys at Lightstorm, were shocked to read this. Because what they understood was that CAA's Richard Lovett is assembling a team not to sell Cameron but to sell Cameron's Fusion Camera System technology developed for his forthcoming Avatar.

Later on in her article, however, Finke refers to the performance capture technology Cameron developed, seemingly confusing it with the Pace / Cameron Fusion camera system.  So is CAA helping to sell the Fusion 3D Camera System, Cameron's revolutionary performance capture and virtual production technologies, or all of the above?

In either case, I think this is great news.  The spreading of either of these technologies would result in better, more convincing 3D and CG characters. Plus it would give Cameron / Pace more money to pursue their own groundbreaking filmmaking pursuits.  As one of Finke's sources describes the CAA deal: "But, at the end of the day, it's not about repping him as a filmmaker, it's about finding money for his technology."

So there you have it!

The Final Destination Trailer Online!

Michael here.  This looks like so much fun.  And I love how at the end it says "2-D in select theaters."  Seems like the tides have turned!

Click here for HD version

Vince Pace and his team did the 3D work on this film (using the same Pace Fusion 3D camera system used on Avatar), so you will be getting the state of the art.

Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Is Heating Up: Promo Photos Released

Jim here. Disney just released their latest promo materials for the upcoming 3D concert and it looks to be very well done visually.

It's cool to note that Vince Pace is the executive producer on this film as he obviously brings a lot of live action 3D expertise to the table with credits from AVATAR, U2 3D, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS and HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT. As a rule when he is attached, you can expect superior stereoscopic results.

I will be the first to admit I know nothing of their music, but if it is anything remotely like U2 3D, then I will check it out. The experience was amazing.

Here is the songlist that the brothers, Demi Lovato or Taylor Swift will be performing: “Lovebug”, “Tonight”, “Love’s Journey”, “That’s Just The Way We Roll”, “Hold On”, “BB Good”, “Still In Love With You”, “Goodnight And Goodbye”, “Video Girl”, “Gotta Find You”, “This Is Me”, “Play My Music”, “Hello Beautiful”, “S.O.S.”, “Pushin’ Me Away”, “Should’ve Said No”, “Love Is On Its Way”, “Live To Party”, “Burnin’ Up” and “Shelf”.

Take a look at that Fusion 3-D Camera Rig suspended over the stage in the last photo - awesome or what? A thing of beauty.

Look for JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE opening February 27.

Are You In LA Wednesday Or Thursday? Don't Miss The Fusion 3D Mobile Production Units!

If you are a 3D fan and have the opportunity to drop by the HD Expo in Burbank on the 29th and 30th - then don't waste this chance to see the most highly credited stereoscopic 3D production units in the world. And they are mobile! The PACE Fusion 3D system.

"See first hand how A-list productions such as Disney’s Hannah Montana Concert Film, Disney’s Jonas Brothers Concert Film, AVATAR, U2 3D, NBA Entertainment LIVE events, Final Destination 4, and more are revolutionizing the production and post production experience through the seamless integration and transparency of Fusion 3D. Top stereoscopic film maker and innovative technology developer, Vince Pace, will be on hand to answer questions throughout the day*.

Fusion Mobile One is redefining the rules of stereoscopic production as the world’s only multi-cam production unit. Stationed within a 48’ mobile unit, Fusion Mobile One offers the creative team complete control over virtually every aspect of the acquisition work flow including Live 3D viewing, Real Time 3D graphic integration, fiber and satellite transmission capabilities and more. Fusion Mobile One continues to set the benchmark across entertainment categories including Live sports broadcasting, concerts and feature films. This photo of the Mobile One was taken during production of the Jonas Brothers Concert Film at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA in 2008

Fusion Mobile Two is leading the future/changing the landscape of post production as the world’s only location based, fully capable 3D post facility. Providing real-time 3D screening of both tape and file based stereo material, creation of Avid HD and SD files for editors, creation of media files for services such as digital Dailies, internet satellite connection for upload and download of all deliverables and file types of studios, VFX vendors and other post houses. As the heart of the unit, PACE has installed its second fully stereo enabled Quantel system. Originally developed at PACE’s request, the Quantel system allows for creative convergence manipulation in real-time and instant stereo conforms completely uncompressed.

To push the bar one level higher, Fusion Mobile Two is equipped to output security encrypted DCP’s for review in local theaters with Digital Cinema projectors or to be sent to the studio for review. Fusion Mobile Two can then be used to supply PACE post or any other post facility with completely conformed 3D masters for final DI. This gives the production full control over their entire post workflow from the first shot to the last shot and throughout the entire post and editorial process. The photo of Fusion Mobile Two was taken during the location based filming of Final Destination 4 in New Orleans, LA in 2008.

Tours will be 30-45 mins in length and will involve several of the various PACE/Cameron Fusion Systems as well as Fusion Mobile One and Fusion Mobile Two units. Registration is limited and on a first come, first served basis. To register for the expo and a tour click here. If you are already registered for the expo and would like to register for the tour click here.
(If registration if FULL, you can arrive 10 minutes before each tour to see if space has become available. - make sure you tell 'em that Jim from MarketSaw sent ya! :-)

*Vince Pace’s availability and participation is subject to change. Vince will be moderating and presenting during HD Expo panels on Thursday Oct 30.

http://hdexpo.net/october/oct_schedule.html

Wait are you waiting for? The is a heckuva opportunity to see this groundbreaking 3D technology AND ask the co-inventor all about his system!

OH and a simply awesome, recent interview with Vince Pace can be found right here. Read it - it'll do ya good! :-)

New 3D Movie announced using Cameron's 3D Tech

Stereo Vision Entertainment Inc. announced that they will be using James Cameron's 3D technology for their upcoming production of "Aubrey Blaze Piranhas 3-D". The technology, known as the Cameron/Pace Fusion 3-D camera system will be used by Cameron's very own crew to film the movie for SVE.

Stereo Vision's Chairman, Doug Schwartz (Baywatch creator and executive producer) stated: "The fully manned PACE Fusion camera crew will be with me and the Stereo Vision team on the ground in Puerto Rico, for the production of the first in a series of Aubrey Blaze 3-D action adventure movies. Having the PACE commitment to work with Stereo Vision in the production of a top quality 3-D movie is great news for the Stereo Vision shareholders."

Links:
Stereo Vision Entertainment
Pace 3D Technology

Avatar Na'vi

Well, well, well. Apparently there has been another leak from the James Cameron production for the upcoming Memorial Day 2009 blockbuster, Avatar!

An alien of some sort is pictured here with glowing features and I would wager that it is female. The image is truly distorted but obviously you cannot show a clear 3D image in 2 dimensions so what did you expect? Sure looks creepy though. Sure looks like she has a tail too - look closely...

Remember that James Cameron's Fusion 3D technology allows him to see an image in real-time (although at a 1980's video game resolution) as it is being shot - a huge benefit for him and the performance capture actors. I would wager a second time that this image is from that process - just simply a screen capture from the camera's system without any processing by WETA. It is awesome if this is the case, as you can see that Cameron can actually view the background as it interacts with the actors! Saves a heckuva lot of time for him and the production of Avatar. I wonder if this creature is the Na'vi? If it is, then this would be the species that would actually become the avatars for the humans on Pandora... Interesting! See the original scriptment for the movie here.

This image was sent into JoBlo.com by a steathy spy. Why not send it to MarketSaw next time dude? ;-) I like surprises, especially when it comes to Avatar...

3D HD Live Event: King James Style!

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be broadcast in 3D HD to their fans in Cleveland for Game 2 of the NBA finals! Not just any 3D experience, but the very same Fusion 3D technology developed by James Cameron and Vince Pace (PACE Technologies) for the movie 'Avatar' due in 2009!! The technology is finally becoming mainstream and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Although quite expensive at this point, the NBA is proud to be a catalyst for change - for the better.

I know I would dearly love a ticket to see that game - more so for the broadcast 3D HD version and not the live! Never thought I would ever say that. King James should have an awesome game. James Cameron that is...