Post Production
Quantel’s stereo3D toolset
eye at a time and the stereo3D results were
only viewable after the two eyes had been later
• Stereo convergence and strength: Interactive,
processed together either in the lab or
no-rendering adjustment of the convergence of electronically.
the two eyes at full resolution - placing objects
The challenge set by Hannah Montana’s
at Zero, Negative or Positive Parallax.
‘flying’ cameras with their inevitably varying
Convergence control and adjustment is not only
a tool for producing dramatic stereo effects. It is
convergence points, which is particularly
also vital in smoothing convergence changes
evident across edit points, was addressed by
between shots to make viewing a comfortable putting the entire picture through an extensive
experience.
balancing pass to tailor the use of 3D as part of
• Colorimetry: Enables both eyes to be balanced
interactively using a combination of the
the presentation. Quantel’s developmental
stereo3D tools and Pablo’s non-linear colour
stereo3D software includes tools that enable
correction toolset. Colour matching between
FotoKem’s Daro, Nicolard, Volpatto and
the stereo strength and convergence to be
stereo streams is vital in providing the viewer
Schultz with the Pablo.
adjusted in realtime on the fly while working
with a comfortable experience, or the viewer’s
3D challenges with and viewing full resolution stereo streams
brain attempts to adjust inconsistencies between
the two streams, leading to tiredness and
simultaneously. These were exploited to the full
headaches.
Conforming, colour correcting, image by FotoKem, allowing the Pablo artists to
• Editing: Editing both streams simultaneously repair, effects work and adjusting edits with experiment interactively as well as sculpting
makes 3D editing as simple as 2D. However, the
the director on 148 minutes of high resolution the stereo3D including building to the key 3D
style of editing demanded by 3D can be very
different from 2D, demanding fewer cuts and
film footage within just 11 weeks would be an moments in the picture.
smoother transitions between shots to avoid
extremely impressive feat on its own. However,
viewer fatigue. Editing and reviewing the also successfully dealing with issues unique to Complete success
material in stereo3D interactively enables the
stereo3D within that same timescale is by any
editor to naturally avoid creating such problems.
standards a monumental achievement, which Given the time pressures and the fact that
This is both necessary for feature films, and
absolutely vital for close-to-air stereoscopic 3D
required all of FotoKem’s very considerable this was the first true ‘battle test’ of Quantel’s
broadcasting.
experience and many of its frontline post stereo3D technology, a few complications
• Synchronisation: Because both eyes are being production assets to be brought to bear on its might have been expected, but the work
viewed simultaneously, synchronisation
execution. proceeded virtually without a hitch and
problems between eyes can be easily identified
and resolved.
Many extra considerations accompany arguably one of the most ambitious deadlines
• Comparison: Comparison mode enables the
stereo3D post production that are crucial in ever set in movie production was met - with
user to look at and analyse differences between making the result comfortable to view for incredible results, as the huge box office
the eyes so they can be quickly resolved. Tools
audiences - the very same problems that have success of Hannah Montana indicates. The
include 50/50 mix, left/right eye and difference
halted successful large scale adoption of penultimate word goes to John Nicolard,
mapping.
• Spatial geometry: Tools to enable inaccuracies
stereo3D until now. These include edge effects FotoKem’s head of digital production, who
between the framing of each eye to be resolved
where objects in one eye disappear from the oversaw the entire post production process:
interactively. displayed frame earlier in one eye than in the "We worked unbelievable hours - but
• Different versions for different screen sizes:
other (these are uncomfortable to view, and are everybody was doing that. The sound people,
Stereo3D does not produce a one-size-fits-all
the result of the interocular distance between the production staff, post production, editorial
result. The way the imagery should be framed
varies depending on the relative size of the
the two stereo cameras that reproduces the and the director were all working morning,
display used - for example, a large movie screen human eye viewing experience) and even more noon and night. It was a wonderful
or a domestic television. Quantel’s stereo3D
crucially, the avoidance of frequent changes in collaborative effort… the new Quantel software
toolset allows different versions to be created
the point of stereo convergence. This makes worked extremely well. If we had not had the
and played out in realtime.
• Dichroic aberrations: Lens splitters used in
unusual frequent focus change demands on the 3D convergence capability we would never
many stereo3D camera rigs introduce variations
human eye which can rapidly lead to the have been able to complete this on time.
in chroma and luma to each frame, and these are ‘queasy’ feeling in the audience which has Never."
different for each eye. Quantel’s stereo3D toolset
characterised so many stereo3D productions in The final word goes to Cinematical
includes a plug-in which easily fixes the problem
the past and is cited by many as being a reviewer, Kim Voynar, who took her three
within each frame and between each stereo pair.
• Imaging tools: As well as dealing with the
principal reason for its failure to become a children to one of the shows: "True confession:
usual post production problems of lens flare and mainstream medium. I had more fun at the Hannah Montana &
dirt, the Quantel stereo3D toolset also enables
Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert than
problems unique to stereo3D to be quickly
Interactive stereo I've had in a long time at the movie theatre. I
resolved using the Pablo VFX and paint facilities.
Edge effects have been a particular problem -
think it's safe to say that we're seeing the
where an object in front of the screen disappears
The Quantel Pablo is the first system beginning of a new wave in movie theatres;
from one eye in a different frame from the other, available that is powerful enough to allow the bringing concerts to fans in 3D in the comfort
resulting in distraction and so, uncomfortable
editor and director to view both stereo streams of a movie theatre, for a fraction of the ticket
viewing. These are easily identified with
simultaneously at full resolution and to make prices of a live concert, is going to be the next
Quantel’s stereo3D review capability, which
enables every stereo pair of frames to be
adjustments on the fly in realtime, with the big thing - so long as it's done as well as
compared and edge effects dealt with
stereo3D results immediately reviewable on Disney has pulled off the Hannah Montana
interactively.
screen. Previously, work needed to be done one concert."
60 IBE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008
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