2D to 3D: What’s the Problem?

By Jay Ankeney

HOLLYWOOD
There has been a lot of controversy over new technologies that can convert 2D material into 3D for either theatrical or TV release. Yet at an August 17 seminar hosted by iHollywood Forum West Post Digital in Santa Monica, Calif., the consensus of the panel was that when done properly, 2D to 3D conversion can actually provide a better result than original stereoscopic 3D videography.

“People who say that one process is more ‘pure’ over the other don’t know what they are talking about,” said Rob Hummel, CEO of Prime Focus, North America. “This [pointing at his eyes] is the only reality.”

The conversion process actually puts more control in the filmmaker’s hands. “Cameron researched this technology for a decade, and did it really well,” Hummel said subsequent to the seminar. “The advantage of stereoscopic conversion during post is that you can make a lot of decisions after you have photographed the image, and you avoid many of the pitfalls of shooting with a twin lens camera.”

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