Today we get two holidays (fittingly) in one: St. Patrick’s Day and National 3-D Day. Every year March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, when everyone becomes a wee bit Irish for the day. And this year, March 17 happens to fall on the third day of the third week of the third month, the defining factor of National 3-D Day.
National 3-D Day is a time to celebrate 3D technology and its various mediums—from its early days of vintage stereo photography to present-day VR and 3D printing. This day of celebration was founded by Ilicia Benoit, a stereoscopic artist, in collaboration with 3-D Space, a non-profit related to 3D technology. It is meant to honor the art, science, and history of stereoscopic 3D imagery.
A few days ago, the latest Avatar film, Fire and Ash, received an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. The film, produced in 3D, utilizes advanced 3D technology and high frame rate techniques to enhance the viewing experience. As we know, filming in 3D requires cameras to be spaced similar to the human eyes to capture two slightly different angles, which are then combined into a single image that replicates stereo vision. Making this film especially challenging was the complexity of underwater 3D capture. And Director James Cameron is not one to take the easy road in his visual and storytelling quest.
The bottom line is that S3D gives film audiences a reason to see a release in theaters (besides getting one of those unique but expensive popcorn containers). S3D is not dead, though at times it may appear dormant. It continues to evolve and its use in projects at times seems more selective. Looking at the calendar, there are a number of upcoming tentpoles that will offer a stereo 3D option—Toy Story 5, Minions 3, Shrek 5, and Avatar 4.
For today, as you embrace the Irish traditions, don’t forget that other holiday. Take in a stereo film (perhaps the newly released Hoppers) and enjoy the wonders of the technology. Or, expand your horizons and look at another medium offering stereo 3D, such as photography, art, gaming, and more, for a totally different perspective.
Oh, by the way, there is a National 3D Day in December as well, December 3, which honors the art, science, and history of stereoscopic 3D. Who can argue against a double 3D day?
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