ASIA-PACIFIC BROADCASTING

The Quasar is made to accommodate full-sized digital-cinema cameras such as the Sony F23 and F35, Red One, Panavision Genesis, as well as full-body and box-type digital broadcast cameras like the Sony F950 and 1500, and Philips LDK. Regard-less of the cameras used,  the Quasar’s precision and refinement make it an ideal platform for matching zoom or prime lenses to accommodate any shooting style or format.  

Prior to the introduction of the Technica 3D rigs, 3D production typically used heavy and complicated equipment requiring specialised tools and a dedicated crew, which made it practical for only an elite few. The innovative Technica 3D series overcomes these stumbling blocks by providing smartly engineered 3D systems that are lighter weight and less costly.

Technica 3D rigs require only a set of Allen wrenches and a mirror gauge for complete camera-lens installation and precise alignment, which can be completed in less than 15 minutes. “We decided on the Technica rigs for a number of reasons,” said Robert Keslow, CEO of Los Angeles-based rental house Keslow Camera. “The most important being the outstanding quality of work that Element produces, and its willingness to listen and adapt to what DOPs, assistants and stereographers want or need.”

On the US East Coast, rental company Offhollywood has also placed Technica 3D Rigs in its rental inventory. “We tracked all the leading 3D rig manufacturers and Element Technica’s early prototypes caught our eye,” said Offhollywood co-founder and owner Mark Pederson. “We had forged a relationship with ET early on because it was making the very best accessories for the Red One cameras, and we let it know we were serious about 3D.”

Offhollywood is also a production company and post-production facility that specialises in emerging technology. Almost as soon as the company received its first Quasar 3D rig system, it was put to work on The Mortician, a dark thriller shooting in Louisiana.

The new ET systems are also working in the 3D music feature arena. Wayne Miller, president of Action 3D Productions and a music video/commercials director, chose the Technica 3D rigs to capture Dave Matthews Band Concert at the Austin City Limits Festival, as well as Ben Harper at the Mile High Music Festival and Gogo Bordello at the All Points West Music Festival.

“The functionality of the Technica 3D rigs is such that when you’re out on location shooting, they are quick to set up and calibrate,” said Miller. “Once aligned, they hold that alignment very well,” he added. Larger Than Life in 3D, the first Action 3D release featuring Dave Matthews Band, was shown last month.

ET co-founder Stephen Pizzo said that the fact that Technica 3D rigs are in traditional camera rental house inventories is a sign that ET’s equipment is normalising 3D production. “Now, for the first time, the very best 3D acquisition equipment can be rented much like a traditional camera package. Combine that with the ability to choose your own crew as well as your favourite post facility, and you gain greater creative control over the entire 3D process.”

Both Keslow and Pederson see 3D production ramping up quickly. “In 12 short months we have seen many feature films, My Bloody Valentine, Bolt, Up, Coraline and Avatar, to name a few, all being released in 3D. Even an episode of the TV show, Chuck, was shot in 3D,” said Keslow.

Pederson agreed. “The demand and interest in 3D is massive. We are fully committed to becoming a leader in providing 3D camera systems, support and post services.” Technica 3D systems will soon be available in three sizes to accommodate a variety of cameras. In addition to Quasar, the largest system, the mid-sized Pulsar mounts box-style digital-cinema cameras such as the Scarlet, Epic and the SI-2K. The ultra-small Neutron is designed for the tiny 2/3-inch or 1/3-inch imager cameras sporting C-mount lenses such as the SI-2K Mini and the Iconix. All three 3D rigs can convert from parallel to beamsplitter configuration, and back, depending on the application.
ET has also developed a series of intuitive hardware/software tools to automate stereo calculation. These tools will be available as add-in modules for the core 3D rig systems to enable the director or DOP to intuitively control how much or how little the subject comes off of the screen, without requiring complex IO+C (inter-ocular and convergence) calcu-lation techniques. IO+C and standard lens zoom, focus and iris control can be coordinated through ET’s patented Stereo Assist feature.

Alternatively, Technica 3D rig users can choose to integrate Preston motors to the system via system ports and adapters.

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