"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I forgot to include another application of 3D…..

More 3D coming to 3D capable homes…
http://www.observer.com/2011/media/3...says-penthouse

[Penton-Man]

ASC nominations for best cinematography in the feature film category announced –
http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/News_...s/News_328.php

[PaulGo]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

More 3D coming to 3D capable homes…
http://www.observer.com/2011/media/3...says-penthouse

Instead of 3D they might want to call it DDD

[Penton-Man]

Duly noted.

Although, at the same time, I take pleasure in the fact that this thread is also a haven for those of cultural elegance and sophistication . So, on that note –

http://www.carmen3d.com/ < nice video in the lower right of that link.

P.S.
Although it has been many years since I’ve enjoyed a performance of the opera ‘Carmen’ with my wife (I do love the music of the Prelude… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwAvG2egAvs, by memory, the set design and lighting of the stage version we witnessed, did not demonstrate any real high contrast in the foreground or background, so even if the cinematographer and post production personnel used high parallax distances in order to provide viewers with a substantial depth of field for the upcoming movie, ghosting shouldn’t really pose much of a problem/challenge for any theatrical or home media rendition in the future.

b.t.w. – Be wary of ever dating a girl named ‘Carmen’ or playing poker with a guy named ‘Slim’.

[Penton-Man]

Looks like Lou's prediction as to the winner was correct …
http://vimeo.com/18568848

And on a related note….24/7 baby -
http://blog.broadcastengineering.com...d-content-247/

[Penton-Man]

Well, unlike the cnet blogger, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...l?tag=mncol;1n
I like putting those two things together!
I’d better clarify that ^ statement….I’m talking supermodels in bikinis and sports, that is.

As an aside, sharkshark, notice the tiny caption on the front cover of the magazine…Cozumel (under A Skin Diver’s Guide to the Caribbean). Great timing, eh?

This is the press release via PR Newswire – http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...112951089.html

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

ASC nominations for best cinematography in the feature film category announced

Well, I've seen three of the five and among those three, I'd have to give it to Jeff Cronenweth, which warms my heart as his dear departed daddy's my all-time fave.

However, I'm disappointed to see that Bob Richardson didn't make the cut, as I think Shutter Island is the best thing he's done in years and it's the belle of my personal 2010 cinematography ball.

[sharkshark]

A single report, but I'm being told by a well respected reviewer that GREEN HORNET film is good, but the 3D is a mess - seems they threw multiplane split screen with little regard for consistent z-depth that causes a headachy time.

I asked point blank of there was any redeeming factor in seeing it in 3D, and he stated no, skip it and do 2D.

So, P, as it's opening, and if it's possible to comment given ties to Sony, any thoughts on this presentation before I fork out cash to see it? I can only assume you've been to a screening already...

[Doctorossi]

I can't speak for the 3D quality, but the trailers I've seen don't do it any favors, IMO. I like Seth Rogen and I even like him as an 'action hero' within a certain limited scope (a la Pineapple Express), but nothing I've seen about the Green Hornet movie, so far, recommends it to me.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I can't speak for the 3D quality, but the trailers I've seen don't do it any favors, IMO. I like Seth Rogen and I even like him as an 'action hero' within a certain limited scope (a la Pineapple Express), but nothing I've seen about the Green Hornet movie, so far, recommends it to me.

Ah, I'll think it'll be fun, and Gondry's films are always worth a look...

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

A single report, but I'm being told by a well respected reviewer that GREEN HORNET film is good, but the 3D is a mess - seems they threw multiplane split screen with little regard for consistent z-depth that causes a headachy time.

I asked point blank of there was any redeeming factor in seeing it in 3D, and he stated no, skip it and do 2D.

So, P, as it's opening, and if it's possible to comment given ties to Sony, any thoughts on this presentation before I fork out cash to see it? I can only assume you've been to a screening already...

Reviewer opinions vary…”And it should be noted that the 3D in the film is by far the best "post-conversion" transfer yet released, and it is in all cases the preferable way in which to watch The Green Hornet” -
http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/01/12...hornet-review/

I will say that John’s cinematographic style certainly didn’t make for an easy conversion and caused a couple of isolated imagery hiccups. However, the 3D depth budget for this motion picture stays within/or close to what is considered by reputable experts (who have actually worked on 3D feature films) to be within *the visual comfort zone* (with slight personal variances between some individual professional stereographic advisors) and just as importantly, the depth scoring shows rhyme and reason, unlike some past 3D productions, whether they be conversions or native stereoscopic capture.

One thing which was desired to be avoided with this type of genre motion picture was playing it so safe or subtle and then, after the showing, having theatrical audiences scratching their heads collectively and wondering out loud…”What 3D?” as I’ve heard anecdotal stories about mainstream audiences doing so after viewing The Last Airbender or, for that matter, most recently, much of Tron: Legacy.

Meanwhile, I’ll let one of the stereographic supervisors on the project (Rob Engle) speak to the 3D of The Green Hornet itself in his own words…http://www.seattlepi.com/movietimes/...?movieID=91621

And if you’re unfamiliar with Rob’s in-the-trenches 3D experience, this should provide an introduction to his 3D pedigree –http://www.smpte.org/news/pr/view?it...08ecf1c7c3036c

and some perspective, as to being selected for hosting honors at this past AMPAS Science and Technology Council event – http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibit...rspective.html

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

One thing which was desired to be avoided with this type of genre motion picture was playing it so safe or subtle and then, after the showing, having theatrical audiences scratching their heads collectively and wondering out loud…”What 3D?” as I’ve heard anecdotal stories about mainstream audiences doing so after viewing The Last Airbender or, for that matter, most recently, much of Tron: Legacy.

Yeah, that's my biggest fear, the "well, I'm paying for it, so I must get LOTS of gee wizz 3D effects" phenomenon. It's my dread, frankly, about this period of film-making, catering to the same base that resulted in the normalization wars in audio production, or those kvetching about black bars for 2.35:1 presentations on their new 16:9 sets.

I actually liked Tron's use of 3D save for a couple scenes, and REALLY liked the move from 2D to 3D, borrowing from the likes of Oz to change from one world to another. I think it's a very powerful tool when used well, and super, super easy to screw up. I'll probably see it in IMAX, cuz, well, big screen, but where others full stop decry the trend to 3D, I just worry (I think justifiably) about the strange expectations being set. Hell, I'll take the 3D from UP over Avatar any day, with PIXAR being notably subtle about their use of the tech.

So, you still haven't said, what did YOU think? Which would you choose for fist time viewing?

[Penton-Man]

I don’t understand your question. If you’re referring to The Green Hornet, and which format to view, i.e. the 3D vs. 2D version, I thought I answered that question quite succinctly with the two-thumbs up emoticon at the beginning of my last post... To be perfectly clear, I suggest folks (including you) who may be interested in seeing this flick, go out and view the 3D version…that’s what I think. It is thee most faithful rendition to the creative vision of the Director and considerably enhances certain scenes in the movie…rather than the 2D version. Capiche? And when the heck did you become so frugal with your discretionary spending, as I noticed those prices on that menu you posted here for your New Year’s Eve dinner? Damn shark, how much did one alcoholic beverage cost you there?

I know how you feel about Tron: Legacy and I’m happy you enjoyed it but, I wouldn’t describe the 3D imagery as being just “subtle” with that particular motion picture. Yeah, it’s subtle alright, like the color beige but, there’s more to it than that….and not in a good way. Candidly, I would describe the 3D imagery as quite unimaginative (with the exception of a couple of sequences) for a film of that particular genre, and frankly, technically flawed with little shot-to-shot consistency of the depth budget in terms of the filmmakers confidently knowing or demonstrating where to place the screen depth in relation to the screen plane of the object(s) of interest, be they the actors or whatever the POA (point of attention).

In regards to the Tron: Legacy two-world concept thing which you mentioned above, and which I gave an early heads-up to (https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4057329) prior to any showings open to the general public at their local Multiplex. In comparing the *two world* imagery idea to other recent feature films, in contradistinction to ‘Legacy’, I would describe the 3D imagery of Alice in Wonderland as pleasingly “subtle”, but even that fine-looking flick is hampered by multiple scale inconsistencies at the beginning and end of the movie which contribute to a cardboard cut-out like feel. I think that Coraline is the only modern 3D film to successfully utilize the effect of two worlds having different 3D treatment.

P.S.
Shark, now that you’ve snookered me into potentially alienating some publicity executives over at the mouse house with my candid comments about ‘Legacy’ and ‘Alice’, for balance, I will make mention of the fact that I am a technical admirer of the Tron (1982) restoration…
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post3736563

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Yeah, that's my biggest fear, the "well, I'm paying for it, so I must get LOTS of gee wizz 3D effects" phenomenon.

I think you’re giving readers the wrong impression about the 3D version of The Green Hornet with that comment.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I think you’re giving readers the wrong impression about the 3D version of The Green Hornet with that comment.

Never meant to, and forgive me for not reading the intent of the emoticon standing in for the Ebertism...heh.

I'll trust your advice and see it in 3D.

Besides, my choice was seeing it in 2D vs 3D, not seeing it at all. Frugality isn't an issue, per se, as I'd happily pay for a better experience. Paying more for a worse one, however, does suck, I'm sure you can attest.

[sharkshark]

btw, pretty pics of deserts, cars, bikes, oh my:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/201...akar_2011.html

[Penton-Man]

Beautiful.
Those pics really capture the essence of off-road stage racing. Honestly, I didn’t even know that ‘Dakar’ had been moved from Africa to South America so, I guess you learn something new everyday.

Lest us not forget our four-wheeled friends and Monster Truck fans like ‘House, M.D.’, here’s some eye candy for them courtesy of the scientists at MIT…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnsTr...layer_embedded

with some 3D background (and foreground) on the production… http://www.minispace.com/en_us/article/monster/485/

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Watcher

No problem! I could be patient....

In a few minutes, I’m heading on down to the place we keep in San Diego to check for any water damage to the property as the result of all the recent rain we’ve had, so I’ll be sure to pick-up your authentic Spider-Man crew cap, as I have it placed on a shelf in our den there.

[Penton-Man]

Is DenonCI still alive and kicking? Denon, did you ever get your 2D/3D projector installed and up-and-running? The Sony Open begins soon.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Never meant to, and forgive me for not reading the intent of the emoticon standing in for the Ebertism...heh.

I'll trust your advice and see it in 3D...

In regards to that, I received a few PM queries from people asking me to define the term “depth budget”, which I used a few times in a couple posts on the last page. It seems there is some confusion as to its definition.

Stereographers and well-informed cinematographers use the term “depth budget” not to refer only to the *depth* of the imagery behind the screen, rather, it is used to describe the overall z space, meaning how much distance the imagery extends behind the screen plane plus how much distance the imagery extends in front of the screen plane (towards the audience).