Pulling together all the technology and people to make a demonstration of 3D rigs and monitoring was never going to happen at the drop of a hat. I had for some time been very aware that whenever asked what they would like to have an insight into, many NZCS members replied that a 3D evening was long overdue. So I had my weekly check in with Paul Lake at Panavision to see if it was at all likely to happen soon. He in turn was constantly checking with the wider Panavision team about when the gear would here long enough to make it happen. On Wednesday the 23rd of March all the elements came together and were checked off -Panavision’s Quasar 3D rig – ImageZone’s people and gear to do the monitoring – 2 matching cameras – 3D screens – the latest in eyewear – a Teapot – light refreshments and Pizza.

Having all the gear in the one place was a good start but what was really required was those people who could bolt it together, make it work and talk about it with the experience of hindsight from other shoots. Into the breach stepped John Virtue (National Rental Operations Manager) and Peter Lorz (Senior Digital Imaging Engineer) both of Panavision. I arrived early to find a eerily silent scene involving John studying his power point notes amongst a sea of empty chairs and maybe of more concern Peter seemed to be finessing the framing of a Teapot using a very blurry monitor. Any qualms I had about it all coming together were completely dismissed once Chris and Dean of ImageZone arrived to boot computers into life and start chatting about digital interface’s with the Panavision team.

With NZCS members assembled John Virtue led us through the history of 3D capture and screenings right up to the      present day. It was interesting to see a time line of how 3D had come and gone a few times over many years as a favored viewing format. With it’s long history behind us we were taken through various onset examples of 3D capture in recent times and heard about the considerations that had to be taken account of for all production departments including Art, Costume, AD’s and of course Camera. John explained in detail how the onset monitoring had been allocated on some recent projects and what the impacts were on set up time and size of crew required to keep the shoot on schedule. New crew positions and how these affect the chain of command as well as the workflow were discussed.

With our 3D glasses on John and Peter demonstrated the impact of adjusting the interocular plane making the subject appear to be behind, on or in front of the screen. It was very apparent that what had the most dramatic effect in a single set up could easily have a negative effect on viewers if carried to an extreme over a prolonged period. For me personally at this point I was asking myself where this all sits between being another boundary pushing Cinematography form and a Theme Park Amusement. I’m still not sure that I can connect with it to the point that I feel I really need to shoot a 3D project.

John Virtue certainly covered the immense maze of 3D onset capture well and that set up the rest of the evening for members to get up close with the gear and quiz Peter Lorz on more aspects of the technical side of the rig. Amongst the small groups that formed around the room, plenty of discussion and some speculation on where it was all headed from here ensued. For my part I came away very impressed with the precision of both the electronic and mechanical tools available to create these curious images. Wether I see myself behind such a camera rig in the near future is something I still doubt because like all good story telling the author needs to deliver with a passion and conviction. The stories that have been delivered in 3D so far have not captured my imagination but maybe tomorrow or next year one of my NZCS colleagues will do just that and inspire me as many of them have in the past.

“It was a very good evening. I thought it was a simple approach to a possibly complicated subject. Johns enthusiastic teaching style was clear, and short of testing and shooting for ourselves it was a great intro.” – Simon Riera, NZCS member

It was a great evening that was long awaited by NZCS members and our thanks go to the team from Panavision for making it happen. I’d also like to acknowledge others who had a hand in bringing it all together including Karl Shodt and Dean Thomas.

“It was great to get the low-down from a rental company’s perspective and to know there is technical support locally, be it in Australia, for possible 3d projects. With the Hobbit and Avatar we are in a great position to be front runners in this technology and add value to local productions and crews employability through keeping up with future trends.”

- Chris Mathews, NZCS member