Affordable 3D: Fred Blurton And Panasonic Push The Envelope

Online, July 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The latest 3D news from Fred Blurton Productions [FBP] is their awaited arrival of Panasonic's AG-3DA1. "The world's first integrated twin lens FULL HD 3D camera recorder," touts Panasonic. This preliminary product has been making the rounds and turning a lot of heads. "We tried it out at NAB this year and had to get our hands on it," said Blurton. "Based on our experience in 3D, the folks at Panasonic decided to let us evaluate it before its official release later this year."

Making 3D affordable has been FBP's goal from the beginning and the Panasonic 3D camcorder rounds out their offering, though Blurton is quick to point out that when working in this medium, "It's important to know how to use all the tools. This camera is revolutionary, but shooting, editing, special effects compositing and 2D to 3D conversion, as well as final delivery of the media and the reception of that media are all important. But the AG-3DA1, will turn 3D on its end and open it up to the world. It's amazingly efficient and delivers stunning S3D."

Two years ago, the FBP team developed the 3D solution zspace 3D® which uses traditional equipment and applications to create S3D. "We developed it so that our clients could have a 3D solution that is affordable and utilizes existing 2D material that they already have in their libraries," notes Blurton. "Again, just one of the items in our tool box, and we have had great results. And right here in Chicago, Illinois."

Using zspace 3D® as their base - and, now integrating the Panasonic AG-3DA1 - FBP has crossed over into the ability to shoot original S3D material without the exorbitant costs that it would take to rent a West Coast 3D rig and bring a crew into Chicago.

The price of getting into 3D is the learning curve, background knowledge of the full process, and the experience that comes from doing it a lot. The illusion of 3D has been around for hundreds of years and used to entertain audiences in a variety of ways, from lenticular to anaglyphic to what, today, James Cameron has referred to as "real 3D." His criticism has been that the different flavors or levels of S3D may end up confusing the consumer audience and inhibit the emergence of Stereoscopic 3D in the marketplace.

Blurton responds, "First of all, I don't even know what it means when someone says "real 3D." Second, I think you should give the audience more credit. They will let us know what they like and don't like.

People talk about "real" 3D, 2D to 3D conversion, or whatever, but the fact of the matter is - 3D is an illusion. Stereographic visuals trick your mind into perceiving depth where there is none. And that process, whether you are putting two-dimensional visuals in 3D space, or shooting original footage or creating entire environments in CGI are all examples of 3D. If you are creating the illusion of depth - you are creating 3D. Some of it may be more entertaining than others and some may be more valuable in the marketplace, but its all 3D and it doesn't have to be hard. Panasonic's AG-3DA1 has come a long way in simplifying the process of shooting 3D with its fixed twin lenses and ease of use."

FBP is putting this camera through its paces during their evaluation period by producing a music video in 3D at Resolution Digital Studios. With original music from bluegrass artist Brian Hilligoss, they hope to capture a few "firsts" with this endeavor.