Super Bowl HD 3D

[dankneece]

Hi Guys!

This is from the Cinematography.com HD list. It is copyright from that list so don't rip it off. I am mentioned in the article so I thought you guys might get a kick out of it. Also that I figured out how to post on this new board. Had to go back to brain surgeon/rocket scientist school to figure it out though. Hope you enjoy it enough to subscribe to Cinematography.com as well. It's free and comes by email.

Dan Kneece

 

From:

"B. Sean Fairburn LA DP" <rolemodel@earthlink.net>

 

To:

"HDTV and Efilm discussion-NOT video!" <cml-hdtv@ls.cinematography.net>

 

Subject:

Re: [cml-hdtv] Super Bowl in 3D

 

Date:

Mon, 02 Feb 2004 22:58:29 -0800

 

 

 

 

 

WOW,

 

What a Game, I played Strong Safety in High school so I like good hard

hitting defense regardless of who is doing the hitting.

 

Now not wanting at all to get between the 3D Opinions expressed by the field

of incredibly talented professionals with whom I have deep respect for

having been close to it for the past 3 weeks. But its very much like going

to and returning from the moon. the degree of exacting performance from many

levels of engineering Optics, software and precision hardware just to make

3D work are incredible. Its probably easier to plot a re-entry orbit

calculation than dial all the 3D in precisely for it all to come together.

 

The Man at the helm of all this 3D with a tremendous capacity for optical

and mechanical physics and mathematics is Peter Anderson ASC.

Thank you peter for allowing me to learn from you and join the ranks of

many other very talented professionals, with whom I deeply respect also,

that have served with you in the past.

 

I was asked by Producer Steve Schklair to join the

team of talented lads (and Lass):

Rig 1

Steve Andrich Director/Cinematographer/Camera Operator NFL Films

Peter Anderson ASC 3D/IO/Convergence Puller

B. Sean Fairburn 1st AC/Focus/Iris Puller

Jay "Tony" Jones 2nd AC/Utility/Grip (carries Two f-950 bodies)

 

Rig 2

J Brad Smith Camera Operator NFL Films

Steve Mann 3D/IO/Convergence Puller

Gary Ushino 1st AC/Focus/Iris Puller

Paul Gibilisco 2nd AC/Utility/Grip (carries Two f-950 bodies)

 

In the HD Truck from Plus 8 Digital were:

Guy Jones HD Video Engineer

Gayle Dembski HDCAM SR Recording Engineer

Bernie Butler Smith Software Engineer

Keith Hall PL/Comm

 

All of us came together to do the Handheld which

Yours truly had to strap on and shoot the pre game walk on and warm up

with the rather challenging configuration.

I busted 2 other mounts while testing them so More support was necessary to

carry the rigid hardware, Camera bodies Lenses (Fujinon Cinestyle 15x) and 9

motors, meta data control box and beam splitter mirror.

I will spare some of the Gory details but Gary Ushino rescued the rig from

disaster after I pushed it beyond its limit. "Did you hear that sound?"

 

I suggested using a Steadicam type vest with more rigid support on a frame

after discussing it with Dan Kneece and Steve Mann they suggested GPI and

the Pro Vest with Pro 2 Arm. Some other specialty modifications were made

with the help of Marcell from George Paddock Inc.

This was snapped in to a baby Ronford Quick release plate mounted to a hinge

bolted to the right side of the chestplate. So the center shoulder mount was

bolted in on my shoulder on top of the Vest and the arm was used only for

additional support to hold the rig level and during tilting up and down with

the shock absorbers of the Arm during the move.

 

It was a monster of a handheld shot tracking backwards down the tunnel and

panning the behemoth to hinge them into the huge stadium as the players took

the field for pregame warm ups. Then to the other side for the other team's

entrance.

I had it pretty well balanced, with the CG of the 75Lbs rig 12 inches out 14

inches up off my right shoulder, but whenever possible I took the

opportunity to sit on an apple box. Then walking out into the endzone to get

the team in the ritual cluster chant as holding still drained the strength

right out of me. I would rather a 30 second bull ride.

It was Fun and I rather enjoy a greater degree of Pain than most so I liked

the extra endorphins I received from the experience. Anyone know a good

masseuse?

 

Thanks to Gary Ushino and Steve Mann for helping me make it happen.

Its not every day I get to operate a hand held 3D HD F-950 "T" camera rig

with a beam splitter rig at the Superbowl.

Sometimes I feel like the Chuck Yeager of HD (Combat Fighter Test Pilot)

 

Vince Pace's Camera definitely has its advantages and hand held is much

easier with that design philosophy at this time but I expect both to improve

over time and it will be better for the 3D market as a whole as well as the

others that know how to do good 3D such as Tim and Max at Paradise FX. So I

hope that the professionalism and competition are both kept high, least 3D

continue to stay a Sideshow Gimmick and never reach the full potential it

might otherwise have as a real option for TV or Film or as in this case

transfer to IMAX "Yea Baby"

 

And I also don't want to hear any Speculative BS about how it can't happen

by those that have not tried it.

If you see me on the set or the Street I will show you 2 IMAX film frames

cut from the test print that were originated in HD then uprezzed by John

Lowery Digital. It does work and its only going to get better.

You 3D Guys Keep up the good work.

 

So Blessings to you all and I pray we all have a prosperous and successful

year to come.

 

B. Sean Fairburn SOC

Director of Photography

Castaic Ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1992 members on the 1st February 2004

Copyright 2004 CML

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[Mitch Gross]

Thanks, Dan. I just want to point out that this actually comes from the Cinematography Mailing List (CML), which is located at cinematography.net. Cinematography.com is the sister site to this one, and is in fact where this forum started as a lowly conference of the main forum until it grew to become a forum of its own.

 

The CML is a fantastic resource but it can also become quite bogged down with chatter. But as an email list it is quite easy to weed through the chaff.

[Lawrence Karman]

Dan, just what the hell is he talking about? Was the game broadcast in 3D? Was he doing an IMAX HD film/video? Did I miss Janet Jackson's boob in 3D? And while I am on that subject; A "wardrobe malfunction"????? What is this, rocket science? "NASA engineers are working on the hardware problem and should have the breast covered in 2 to 3 weeks". Maybe GPI could come up with a better bra.

[Mitch Gross]

There was special coverage of the Super Bowl done in 3D, ostensibly for a special venue production for NFL Films. For some of the shots the operator had help supporting the handheld rig with a Pro vest and arm, but the cameras were still essentially handheld.

[Lawrence Karman]

Thanks Mitch.

[gpitech]

We're working on that new bra as you speak Larry. Janet should be by for a final fitting before the grammys.

[jayvitela]

Hi All, I was at the Super Bowl aswell, that 3D camera was pretty amazing. As I can remember it took three people to work the camera I worked next to. Two focus pullers and a camera op who pointed the camera. I can't even tell you how many people stopped by to see the thing. It is indeed an amazine thing to see.