Possibilities with Panasonic AG-3DA1 Twin-Lens 3D Camera

New ways of realizing dreams...

Last year, the topic of 3D filmmaking came up during post-production on my short film, Lazy Susan. Someone suggested that I consider making the film in 3D, to give the it a more dynamic feel. I liked the idea, but as a short film, there were too many complexities, and complications involved when making an effective 3D film on a limited budget. And not to mention festival screenings, and theaters ill-equiped for 3D films, after the fact. How much would obtaining 3D glasses cost for a whole theater? It all seemed overwhelming.

Yes, I think Lazy Susan in 3D, could have been possible, if the AG-3DAI had come out in 2009.

Lazy Susan a short film - VFX Trailer (HD) from Albert Art on Vimeo.

At the time I wasn't too sure about the whole 3D production process, and being already over-budget there was no way of spending more money into making a 3D film.

Flash forward to several months later. Avatar hits theaters, and the push for more 3D in film, and homes is in full swing as a result of Jim Cameron's hard work. My short film Lazy Susan is complete but in 2D, and Panasonic reveals their Twin-Lens 3D Camera, the Panasonic AG-3DA1.

As an owner of a Panasonic HVX, I was surprised to see a 3D camera so soon, and coming from Panasonic, for the independent film community.

I love my HVX. The camera has really given me the ability to realize my vision, at great quality, and for not that much money, but the 3DAI has me rethinking about going 3D.

Panasonic Pavilion Vancouver, BC 2010 Winter Olympics AG-3DA1 on display. These glasses look like cartoony sci-fi. These glasses belong in Mission Impossible.

Viewing the Full HD theater at the Panasonic Pavilion in Vancouver entertained me and many others, with 3D highlights from the Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic games, while the 3DAI camera on display, inspired me. I can now see 3D application in just about anything. From Saturday Morning cartoons, to sports, sitcoms and even adult entertainment. Even the most mundane TV shows, could be made entertaining if viewed in 3D. The 3DA1 camera has many possibilities, and Panasonic is doing a great thing by introducing it.

I can't wait to see the stuff shot with this camera, and I am really curious to learn more about it. I will keep a look out for any "Hands-on" previews of the camera.

Panasonic AG-3DA1 Twin-Lens 3D Camera Demo Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics from Albert Art on Vimeo.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics short video experiment

New Project

So, I'm working on a new short film project, while Lazy Susan is out there trying for festivals, and while CREEP is getting it's post audio mix and music done, I wanted to try something a little more raw, and unscripted. The project -- which I like to title "Vancouver 2010" -- centers on Vancouver, as a cosmopolitan city, with a seedy underbelly. The great divide between the rich and the poor becomes a focus of the film, but I'm hoping it doesn't come off as an entirely bleak pov.

The video below, was shot as an accompanying piece to the actual film. This may or may not be included in the final cut, which will be less about testimonials, and more about the city, just speaking for itself. If that makes any sense.

The interview is with a local resident of the downtown eastside community. He basically speaks about his issues trying to find support for his condition, and difficult situation. For those in Vancouver, that actually know about the downtown eastside, and hang out in the very diverse area, this issue with the drug ridden, poverty stricken people, is a hot topic especially with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics just weeks away.

The downtown eastside, and the east Vancouver area in general is great. There is a neat art community, restaurants, and lots of Vancouver history in the eastside, that unfortunately has been overshadowed by the image of the less fortunate.

In any case, please watch this interview, and stay tuned for the actual full short coming next month.

Vancouver 2010 - Downtown Eastside Perspective interview from Albert Art on Vimeo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

2010

HEY EVERYONE! I hope you all had a great holiday. I sure did. But now the vacation is over, and it's time to get cracking on some new stuff for the year.

I hope to be doing more custom toys, and more short films, so definitely stay tuned to this blog, or any of my facebook fanpages.

My short film Lazy Susan, should be in at least one festival this year, hopefully more! Be sure to spread the word about LazySusanFilm.com

I also shot a new short film, (this time strictly for the web), when I was in LA, called CREEP. The website for the short should be online soon, and the film itself should be done within the next few weeks. It was a one day shoot, on a zero budget, but we made it happen, and it turned out great!

2009 was a tough year, full of challenges, like the long production of Lazy Susan, which seemed like it would never end, or even see the light of day. But thankfully, it's done, and I feel like it was a BIG accomplishment. Now I feel like I can take on anything!

Lastly, here's some footage I took while in Vegas during the Holiday.

Las Vegas Strip Time-lapse Test - 2fps HD from Albert Art on Vimeo.

Lazy Susan short film VFX Trailer Albert Art

Lazy Susan a short film - VFX Trailer (HD) from Albert Art on Vimeo.

It's movie magic!

For those that were wondering about the VFX behind the short film 'Lazy Susan,' I've uploaded a brief breakdown of the trailer, that shows just how much work went into creating the world in which our main character (Susan) lives.

We couldn't afford to do location scouting, nor could we afford to film beyond a single day, so everything had to be created from scratch from the footage filmed in front of a green screen.

This gave us the flexibility to play with the style, and look of the film, well after the filming. Without having to worry about actual locations, we saved time, and the pain of logistics.

Surly this is no Avatar, but for all the limitations on the production, it's not bad. Everyone on the team should be proud of their work. I'm definitely thankful for the help each and everyone put in, to realize this morbid little vision of mine.

more info http://LazySusanFilm.com

Become a fan on Facebook http://facebook.com/pages/Lazy-Susan-a-short-film/202102953985

Lazy Susan Film Website Trailer Blog

Lazy Susan - Short Film - Trailer from Albert Art on Vimeo.

Lazy Susan, a short film of a tragic girl's love of food.

Finally, I am able to post about the film. I started writing the film in February, and we shot the film in April, and it has been in post production ever since, wrapping up this month!

I've been working all weekend trying to get the website, and trailer up for public unveiling. (Yes, I even worked through Halloween! I'm THAT dedicated!) My work has paid off, and the website is up!

There are some tweaks going on at the moment to the site, but it is ready for viewing.

We barely made the Slamdance deadline on Friday Oct. 30th, but we're hoping the 6 minute film is entertaining, and unique enough to get at least one screening, eventually, in the New Year.

What started out as a simple idea, turned out to be much more complex in execution, with little money, and only the technology available on home computers (running vista OS), and a small international freelance crew in post, the film looks better than I expected, thanks to everyone's hard work. I am glad I went through the process of making this film, and I'd love the chance to do it again, maybe with an actual post production house ;p.

I honestly don't know what the market is like for short films, or even where this film will lead. At least I can use this short film for a portfolio piece?

For more info on the film

LazySusanFilm.com

http://vimeo.com/7388137

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lazy-Susan-a-short-film/202102953985