3D Panel Discussion/Workshop

As part of its program "The Next Dimension: 3D and the Movies," the Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented a panel discussion/workshop at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood on November 6, 2007. Hosted by Rob Hummel, president of digital cinema for DALSA Corporation, 3D director of photography and 3D visual effects supervisor, Peter Anderson, visual effects artist and director, Eric Brevig, president of StereoVision, Chris Condon, and Paramount Pictures digital mastering vice president, Garrett Smith, were interviewed. Although much cutting-edge information about the production and projection of 3-D was shared, the highlight of the evening for me was an interactive 3-D tutorial presented by Peter Anderson and his production team.

When we entered the lobby of the Linwood Dunn Theater, in addition to a pair of active glasses, each participant was given a pair of chopsticks. Stepping to the proscenium, Peter urged us to use our chopsticks in various configurations to illustrate limitations and possibilities for stereo displays before and behind the stereo window. To our delight, the real Peter was displaced by a 3D virtual Peter on the screen who continued his discussion with larger sticks that very effectively brought home how the Z-axis can be manipulated.

Illustrating the technical points of the panel participants were 3-D clips shared from Motor Rhythm, an early 3-D short made originally for the 1939 World's Fair and Hondo, the 1953 3-D western starring John Wayne and Geraldine Page.

John Hart, Chairman
3-D Movie/Video Division