'Top Gun' ready for 3-D IMAX release Feb 8th, 2013

Bruckheimer revisits 'Top Gun' for 3-D IMAX release

by Brian Truitt, USA Today, Jan 24, 2013.

Jerry Bruckheimer still feels the need for speed.

Top Gun, which helped make a star out of Tom Cruise and Hollywood heavyweights out of Bruckheimer and producing partner Don Simpson, is back in cinemas and flying high in 3-D for a special six-day engagement in IMAX theaters beginning Feb. 8. A limited-edition mini-reprint of the original 1986 poster will also be given out to ticket holders.

In addition, a new Top Gun 3-D Blu-ray will be released Feb. 19 with the new conversion, plus a six-part documentary, interviews with Cruise, music videos (including Kenny Loggins' anthemic Danger Zone) and a commentary by Bruckheimer and the late director Tony Scott.

One of Scott's last projects before his suicide in August was working with Bruckheimer's production company to add a new dimension to the in-air action sequences with Cruise's hotshot Maverick, Val Kilmer's cocky Iceman and other pilots that thrilled movie audiences in 1986.

"Some of the action scenes were of course a little more difficult but they (Legend3D) did a brilliant job," Bruckheimer says of the 3-D conversion. "It really is exciting when they land on those carriers, and the dogfights. You really think Tony shot it in 3-D. Tony was thrilled, and he was a perfectionist."

Read more of this article by clicking here.

See the Top Gun 3D Trailer by clicking here.

Entertainment Tonight aired a great promotion of Top Gun 3D on Wednesday, 1_23_13.  The entire ET episode can be found by clicking here!  The Top Gun 3D segment starts at 10:59 min and ends at 13:35 min.

In advance of the February 8th 3D IMAX release

of 'Top Gun’, producer Jerry Bruckheimer reveals

how he won over Tom Cruise to do the movie!

Top Gun” was the biggest box-office hit of 1986 and remains one of the most-loved movies of that decade. Its success catapulted Tom Cruise to superstardom, and he is still one of the most famous faces on the planet. But would either have happened if Cruise hadn’t changed his mind after initially turning down the lead role?

27 years after the movie first took audiences to the danger zone, “Top Gun” is coming back to theaters in IMAX 3D for a special six-day event starting February 8. To celebrate its return, you can get your first look at the exclusive trailer for the 3D version by clicking here.  Read Matt McDaniel's discussion with producer Jerry Bruckheimer about Legend3D's conversion of the movie and his memories of filming “Top Gun.” He revealed just how he convinced Cruise to take on the career-defining role of Maverick after his early resistance.

MORE:
Entertainment Tonight aired a great promotion of Top Gun 3D on Wednesday, 1_23_13.  The entire ET episode can be found by clicking here!  The Top Gun 3D segment starts at 10:59 min and ends at 13:35 min.

RealD vs. Imax Digital 3D: What’s the Difference?

RealD vs. Imax Digital 3D:
What’s the difference?

                Originally published - January 6, 2013

          From CNET Asia by Timothy Fernandez on 1/4/13

3D movies are quite common these days, with many of the latest animated films, action-packed blockbusters and horror flicks being presented with a third-dimension. The passive polarizing technology used to display 3D in most movie theaters is also similar to those found in passive 3D TVs.  However, the fact that some movies are presented  in several 3D formats in the theaters can be somewhat confusing. 

Most of us who’ve caught a 3D movie at the cinemas recently probably experienced the more common RealD 3D technology, while Imax Digital 3D (as well as its analog counterpart) is a format presented at Imax auditoriums. But is there any difference between RealD 3D and Imax Digital 3D?

Here’s what we know.

First, the similarities

RealD 3D and Imax Digital 3D both utilize passive 3D technology, which makes use of relatively lightweight eyewear. These passive 3D glasses use polarizing filters to allow each eye to see a slightly different image. This is why the glasses can sometimes seem darker in one eye than the other–it’s meant to block out certain spectrums of light. The glasses at Imax theaters are larger, to compensate for the larger field-of-view at those auditoriums.

Both these technologies are also digital, which means that you’ll get a clean image and none of the image noise or “cigarette burns” that are visible from regular film projectors.

How they compare

RealD 3D

The prevalent technology in 3D cinemas worldwide comes from RealD, an American company founded in 2003. The RealD 3D format is natively digital. This means that movies have to be produced in a digital 3D format for projection on film-less digital projectors. RealD cinemas also use a passive circular polarizing technique to achieve 3D which allows viewers a clear image even when turning or tilting their heads. Passive 3D TVs use circular polarizing technology, too. The first RealD 3D movie screened was Chicken Little in 2005.

Imax Digital 3D  

This is a competing format that’s been around for a little longer. Imax cinema auditoriums are well known for their massive, curved screens, which fill a larger portion of your field-of-vision (FOV), or how much  much your eyes can see a any one time.

An Imax auditorium in Singapore. (Credit: Shaw Theaters)

Imax Digital 3D is an evolutionary improvement of the analog Imax 3D theaters that have been around since 1986. Its long history is evident even in the much newer Imax Digital 3D theaters since they still utilize the linear polarizing technology of its analog predecessors. Unlike RealD, Imax 3D movies are less tolerant of head movements. Viewers have to avoid tilting their heads, though some turning–probably unavoidable due to the massive Imax screen format–is possible. Also, Imax screens are curved to fill an audience member’s FOV, which enhances immersion while giving those sitting at the sides a better view of the action. Imax Digital auditoriums also use two 2K projectors for 3D shows, which leads to a visibly brighter image through the glasses. 

While many Imax theaters these days are digital, there are still auditoriums with the analog Imax 3D format in the US and some other countries. These auditoriums typically have a larger screen and correspondingly large projection equipment and tend to be used for documentaries instead of feature films, too. Omnimax theaters (recently  renamed as IMAX Dome) are a variation of this analog format, but have a dome-shaped screen. 

Why do Imax Digital 3D movies cost more?

3D ticket prices vary across Asia but Imax Digital 3D tickets typically cost more than their RealD 3D counterparts. In Singapore, a weekday ticket to a new movie at theLido Cineplex starts at S$19 on Imax Digital 3D while the average cinema with RealD 3D charges S$12 on average. At an AMC cinema in Los Angeles, a typical Imax Digital 3D movie starts at about US$12, while the same movie on RealD 3D would be about US$2 cheaper.

Theater audiences are paying more for Imax 3D movies for a few possible reasons. The first would be the consistent audio and visual quality across Imax auditoriums, the generally larger screen (that’s at a closer proximity to the audience) as well as a brighter image from the dual-projectors.

Of course, certain cinemas that use the RealD format for 3D screenings do have other selling points such as sharper 4K projectors, or better sound. An example of the latter would be auditoriums with Dolby Atmos setups, which can present more believable surround sound effects.

Just the facts

Aside from the larger screen size, there are other notable differences between Imax Digital 3D and RealD 3D. RealD 3D projectors like Sony’s 4K Digital Cinema models use a special lens to project 3D visuals, which can provide viewers with up to four times the resolution of full-HD 1080p. However, not all RealD 3D auditoriums have 4K projectors–many feature 2K digital projectors–so you may have to check with your favorite cinema chain’s Web site to find out which they use.

All Imax Digital 3D theaters, on the other hand, use Christie 2K dual-projector systems, which give twice the resolution of full-HD and a brighter 3D image. What this means is that RealD 3D auditoriums with 4K projectors can provide a visibly sharper image, especially with movies shot on similarly high-resolution cameras.

	Imax Digital 3D	RealD 3D
3D technology	Linear polarizing	Circular polarizing
Projector	Dual projectors	Single projector (with 3D lens)
Screen	Silver coated	Silver coated
3D glasses	Large format (for larger screen)	Standard size
Audio	Uncompressed	Varies by theater

The 3D effect

A scene from sci-fi movie Prometheus, which was shot in 3D and released on Imax 3D and RealD 3D screens. (Credit: Twentieth Century Fox)

To some, 3D movies should “pop” out of the screen, similar to what audiences experience with 3D rides at theme parks. Others prefer a more subdued 3D effect that stays behind the screen, adding a little more depth to the standard 2D fare.

Those who prefer the reach-out-and-grab-you effect might be partial to Imax Digital 3D, which the company claims to excel at. Executive Vice President (Technology) of the Imax Corporation, Brian Bonnick, says that Imax Digital 3D movies “can appear in front of the screen” which may be more lifelike. He also credits Imax’s “patented theater geometry”, “proprietary wide-angle lenses” and brighter images for this effect.

If you’re not a fan of props being hauled your direction or swords almost touching your nose, then RealD’s 3D effects could be the alternative. While RealD technology is capable of extending beyond the screen, the screens used in these cinemas tend to be flat and positioned further from the viewer, which would minimize the coming-at-you effect. The 3D effect they produce would also be similar to what you’d experience on your 3D TV at home. Some videophiles also prefer the 3D effect to be behind the screen and not protruding from it, so that it does not serve as a distraction from the movie itself.

However, do keep in mind that some movies may be shot with effects coming out of the screen for dramatic effect–the James Cameron epic Avatar would be one example. Other movies, such as Prometheus by Ridley Scott, are shot with a more subtle effect, which can be equally believable. So it really isn’t all about the 3D format, but which movie you’re watching, too.

Is there a superior format?

Honestly, after watching a good number of Imax Digital 3D and RealD 3D movies, we’d say that the 3D effect is very comparable between these two formats. Imax 3D does seem a bit more dramatic, thanks to the larger screen and closer viewing distance, but the way the movie was shot is equally important. There are, however, some notable differences.

Imax screens are massive and curved, which should help improve your view of the screen and minimize ghosting–the appearance of a double-images that’s prevalent on some 3D TVs. Imax Digital 3D screenings should also be consistently brighter. Imax says that its linear polarizing technology provides an “improved signal-to-noise performance over circular polarizers” and “allows more light through”. However, keep in mind that this technology makes 3D movies less tolerant of movements, especially tilting your head sideways.

RealD 3D typically provides better viewing angles that allows viewers to tilt and turn their heads while watching. While 3D movie enthusiasts probably know that keeping their heads still minimizes ghosting or double-images, young children may not. RealD representative Rick Heineman believes that this flexibility is important for moviegoers who should be “free to sit comfortably”.

Another frequently overlooked aspect is consistency. While RealD theaters are far more abundant, the venues only need to sport “compliant digital cinema projectors”. This means that your moviegoing experience would depend on the type of projectors used by the cinema as well as the sound system installed–these can vary significantly depending on the brands of equipment used. Imax theaters, however, have to meet standards for audio and image quality, which means they’ll look and sound more consistent across the board.

Global 3-D Market Flourishes Across Cinema, Home Video and TV VoD Platforms 

December 20, 2012 

TONY GUNNARSSON

The global 3-D consumer market is thriving in a dynamic environment marked by clear and discernible growth across its major platforms, including cinema, home video and pay-TV video on demand, with international markets continuing to make major contributions to the industry, according to an IHS Screen Digest Cross Platform Intelligence report from information and analytics provider IHS.

Worldwide metrics are on the rise for 3-D technology as a whole. The number of 3-D screens is up fourfold over a period of three years, while 3-D box office climbed in the double digits from 2010 to 2011. The 3-D home-video market is also showing strong growth, bucking the overall trend of a declining physical video market, with U.S spending on Blu-ray 3-D nearly doubling in 2012 from last year’s levels. More 3-D TV channels worldwide are likewise now available, including one just launched in China, with plenty of potential for expansion in the years ahead for 3-D Video-on-Demand service.

The attached figure illustrates the strides made by the 3-D consumer market in the United States in particular, in which the principal metric used for tracking is consumer spending.

“In an age where consumers have at their easy disposal a virtual treasure trove of entertainment options to draw from, the encouraging growth of the 3-D medium is remarkable to behold,” said Tony Gunnarsson, analyst for video at IHS Screen Digest. “The continuing expansion of the industry is especially significant when one considers that 3-D is but a small niche of overall digital viewing, and that consumers have to shell out considerably more money for 3-D products, which are priced at a premium and not necessarily an easy sell in these economically uncertain times.” To read more click here.

HFR (High Frame Rate) explained!

HFR (High Frame Rate) 2D and 3D video explained | RED Camera « 423 Digital, Inc.

From RED Camera’s website

The advent of digital cinematography has opened up new creative possibilities for how motion is captured. This article explores the influence of high frame rate (HFR) video playback, along with the associated motivations and controversy, with an eye for what this might hold for the future of cinema.

BACKGROUND

Although modern cinema uses a 24 fps time base, early film was projected with a wide variety of speeds. Prior to the 1930’s, many silent films used just 15-20 fps, since this is when the illusion of continuous imagery begins. Then, with the advent of audio, frame rates were increased to the now-standard 24 fps, primarily because this was the minimum rate that would still produce acceptable audio when read from a 35 mm film reel.

In any case, the overall strategy was to use as little film as possible. None of the motivations were to maximize the viewer’s sense of realism — footage was just deemed “good enough” without being prohibitively expensive. However, with digital capture, we’re no longer bound by the same rules. Recent and upcoming productions are beginning to explore high frame rate (HFR) playback. HFR is already being used for sports and other HDTV broadcasts, and in cinema, Avatar 2 and The Hobbit are known productions targeting HFR release.

When compact discs were first unveiled, the initial reaction by record connoisseurs was that the music had too much clarity and lacked the familiar and characteristic sound of a vinyl record. This closely echoes the early feedback about HFR. Similarly, while low frame rates will always have applications, having the creative flexibility to use other frame rates is virtually always beneficial. Even though a record can be mimicked with a compact disc recording, the opposite isn’t always possible — and the same can be said for low vs. high frame rates. Although not everything necessarily needs HFR, it may eventually become another creative tool, similar to how shutter angle is used currently.

Although great progress has been made with improving spatial resolution — particularly with the advent of 4K cinema — temporal resolution also deserves more exploration, and has a similar potential to enrich the cinematic experience. After all, real-life imagery is effectively received by our eyes as unlimited fps, infinite resolution 3D footage; it’s our mind that processes this as a hybrid of video and motion-blurred stills. Higher frame rate, 4K+ footage gets us closer to that reality. To read the entire article Click Here.