FotoKem Adds Quantel’s Stereoscopic 3D Technology To DI Workflow

FotoKem, one of the most respected names in feature film post production, has become the first DI facility in Hollywood to acquire a Quantel Pablo 4K with the new Stereoscopic 3D option. It is FotoKem’s third Pablo system.
The facility intends to use the new technology to perform DI colour grading, editorial and compositing for stereoscopic 3D special venue and giant screen films, and for the increasing number of studio features being produced in 3D.
Introduced at IBC 2007 in Amsterdam, the Stereoscopic 3D option for Pablo 4K marks a break through in post work for 3D movies by allowing operators and their clients to view motion pictures in 3D context as they are working on it. Previously, operators have had to rely on inaccurate preview modes or employ play-out services to see the results of their work, which often led to finding imaging problems late and incurring production delays.
Anticipating a spike in the production of stereoscopic 3D films, FotoKem decided to act proactively by implementing technology necessary to service such projects efficiently, accurately and with maximum creative flexibility. “We made a careful evaluation of the available stereoscopic solutions and Quantel was the clear leader,” said FotoKem’s General Manager of Digital Film Services, Bill Schultz. “Other approaches don’t provide the same smooth experience for the client.”
What distinguishes Quantel's Stereoscopic 3D solution is its ability to play out and process two streams of synchronous high resolution media simultaneously without rendering. This not only makes editing 3D as straightforward as 2D, it also enables stereo strength and convergence to be adjusted on the fly, allowing the creative artists to experiment interactively to achieve just the required stereo depth and impact on every shot. Colorimetry, sync, editorial and imaging errors are all instantly visible and easily fixed. The system can also operate in comparison mode, with views including 50/50 mix, left/right eye and difference map.
“The Quantel technology will provide us with immediate feedback in terms of color grading and how well the 3D effect is achieved,” Schultz said. “We will be able to see right away if the convergence adjustments are correct or if further adjustments are needed.”
The impact in terms of speeding up the post process is exponential. “The ability to work interactively with 3D imagery is a huge advantage,” observed FotoKem DI colorist, Walter Volpatto. “We can use the whole machine—editing and color correction—and see the results immediately. Before we were limited to viewing one eye or the other and it took a very long time to build the final product. If there was a mistake, you had to redo it from the very beginning.”
Quantel’s stereoscopic 3D solution also offered the advantage of integrating seamlessly into FotoKem’s existing DI workflow. “It fits perfectly with our networking technology, Genetic Engineering, which is important due to the high storage requirements of 3D projects,” Volpatto said. “It is typical of Quantel that adding new capabilities does not mean re-engineering the workflow. You don’t have to change your gear, you simply add on the part you need.”
Stereoscopic 3D films are becoming a hot trend in Hollywood, as studios seek ways to boost theater-going by delivering experiences that cannot be replicated at home. “We expect stereoscopic 3D filmmaking to grow quickly,” said Eric Thorne, Vice President Sales, Western Region, “so post houses need tools that allow them to work interactively, creatively and efficiently with stereo 3D imagery. That makes the arrival of Quantel’s 3D solutions so timely.”
See www.quantel.com.
(SP)