By Bernard Mendiburu
Focal Press
Boston
2009
“Eventually 3D will make its way into mainstream cinema the way color and sound did” observes visual effects artist and digital cinema engineer Bernard Mendiburu in his comprehensive and essential primer on this latest and most significant technological breakthrough in filmmaking. “By reducing the effort involved in the suspension of disbelief, we significantly increase the immersion experience”, reflects the author in the first of ten chapters that energize readers about the full potential of this medium.
If 3D takes hold it will be the result of a long series of technological steps that Mendiburu elaborates in every phase of the process from preproduction through distribution.The fundamentals of the medium as well as the qualitative assessment of its efficacy are illustrated with sketches, drawings and a companion DVD that includes an array of 3D images that demonstrate concepts and techniques. The DVD also contains After Effects project folders of real 3D movies that can be used for further study.
The next three or four years will tell the real story, as filmmakers try to expand the use of 3D beyond the standards of science fiction, adventure-fantasy and horror.The amazing success of James Cameron’s Avatar will reassure Hollywood that 3D is more than just a gimmick.The introduction of lightweight and low cost 3D technology will eventually make its way into the “Indie” film world.Bernard Mendiburu’s book is timely and essential reading for all filmmakers who wish to expand their storytelling abilities into the 21st Century. I highly recommend it!
FFT Webmaster
The FFT Webmaster use displays whenever an article has multiple authors. It also pops up on articles from old versions of Film Festival Today. The original author byline might be missing! In that case, if you are the author of such an article and see this bio instead of your own, please send us an email. Some of our contributors that might be missing bylines are: Brad Balfour, Laura Blum, and Sandy Mandelberger, among others.