The Hobbit...

[Carsten Kurz]

Don't forget, there are at least 4 different 3D systems out there: RealD, Dolby 3D, XpanD, and MasterImage 3D. None of these look the same; each requires a color-correction pass.

I seem to recall there were 22 color-correction versions of Avatar, between the different aspect ratios, film formats, and 3D systems. I expect The Hobbit will be even more complex because of the added wrinkle of frame rates.

No cinema 3D system needs dedicated distribution versions. They are all processed/corrected on-the-fly in the server/projector. AVATAR did not have 22 different distribution versions. At a time, Cameron considered different grades for different screen brightness, but FOX brought him to reason. The different aspect ratios and 2D/3D was more than enough for an industry that normally prefers single inventory distribution. Counting in IMAX and 2D versions, it actually wasn't special compared to other major releases.

- Carsten

[Marc Wielage]

No cinema 3D system needs dedicated distribution versions. They are all processed/corrected on-the-fly in the server/projector. AVATAR did not have 22 different distribution versions.

That's not what I heard from Skip Kimball at Modern Videofilm in Burbank, who had the herculean task of working on all those versions. My understanding is that the process took months and months to do, and was checked and rechecked countless times to make sure it was absolutely perfect.

[Marc Wielage]

No cinema 3D system needs dedicated distribution versions. They are all processed/corrected on-the-fly in the server/projector. AVATAR did not have 22 different distribution versions.

Just to follow up my previous comment, I just stumbled upon some proof:

http://www.technicolor.com/en/hi/cre...ns-technicolor

Here's the direct quote:

There were 18 different delivery versions of Avatar created for the domestic market, plus an additional 92 for international markets, which were released in 47 languages. In addition to the need for versions to accommodate various 2D, 3D, film and digital auditoriums, Cameron made the decision to create versions at different aspect ratios and light levels (3D projection and glasses can cut down the light that the viewer sees) in order to project the best possible images in each theater configuration. Led by lead colorist Kimball, Modern VideoFilm completed 22 full color grades of Avatar for the different aspect ratios and light levels.

So I was exactly right: 22 color grading passes for Avatar, which is what I was told by certain insiders. Just so you know I'm not plucking these facts out of thin air.

[Carsten Kurz]

Marc, you wrote:

'Don't forget, there are at least 4 different 3D systems out there: RealD, Dolby 3D, XpanD, and MasterImage 3D. None of these look the same; each requires a color-correction pass.'

No 3D system needs a special color-correction pass. They all receive exactly the same distribution file.

The other quote mentions 22 VERSIONS. That is not 22 different color corrections. AVATAR was delivered in different aspect ratios, 2D and 3D, on film and digital. Yes, some of these need their own DI/color correction, but not all of them. Especially not the 3D systems. All digital cinemas receive the same disc content with exactly the same files on them, no matter what 3D system they have. The only exception a few years ago was ghost-busted RealD versions.


- Carsten

[KETCH ROSSi]

It sounds DANGEROUS when you say it like that ;)

It will be, but only for the competition... ;)

[M Most]

No 3D system needs a special color-correction pass. They all receive exactly the same distribution file.

The other quote mentions 22 VERSIONS. That is not 22 different color corrections. AVATAR was delivered in different aspect ratios, 2D and 3D, on film and digital. Yes, some of these need their own DI/color correction, but not all of them. Especially not the 3D systems. All digital cinemas receive the same disc content with exactly the same files on them, no matter what 3D system they have. The only exception a few years ago was ghost-busted RealD versions.

In most cases, what you say is true. However, in the case of Avatar, I believe different versions were made for different light levels on some of these systems. However, since I happen to work with the colorist who did Avatar (as well as all of Cameron's work), I'll ask him and come back with the correct answer.

[Vadim Bobkovsky]

Peter continues to tease us with some The Hobbit-related stuff.

[Scott Crawley]

Yes! As of the 6th it's "In the can" so to speak.

[Marc Wielage]

No 3D system needs a special color-correction pass. They all receive exactly the same distribution file.

That is not true. I was told by the people involved at Modern that they optimized each 3D pass for its specific image characteristics, which was a request by the director. Different systems had different light outputs, so they compromised with an overall setting in color correction. The article specifically said 22 different color correction passes. That could mean an overall, so we're not necessarily saying it would be an entire scene-by-scene session from scratch -- just minor touch-ups here and there. But still, very time-consuming.

Hopefully Mr. Most will confirm the story I heard from the engineers involved.

[Álex Montoya]

http://comicsen8mm.com/wp-content/up...Banner-01.jpeg