News Stories

Nokia and Samsung have 3D in their sights

5.18.2012

[Rethink Wireless]

… According to the patent for Nokia its 3D device would use similar screens to HTC and LG’s handset which are able to display a different image to each eye creating the 3D effect. Also similar to the other companies’ handsets is the fact that the 3D effect can be turned on or off. Samsung’s display would work on a similar principle where different information is transmitted to each eye.

It’s interesting to know that the Lumia-maker and Galaxy-maker have been considering using 3D tech in their smartphones though there’s no doubt it’s fairly low on the list of features consumers want on their devices. Also as far as any Windows Phone devices go the simple UI isn’t exactly screaming out to be displayed in an extra dimension.

Anyone after a 3D phone who doesn’t want to wait to see what, if anything, Nokia or Samsung have up their sleeves an updated version of the LG Optimus 3D was released back in April. …

See the full story here: http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2012/05/18/nokia-samsung-3d-sights.htm

Brazilian pics vie with Hollywood for box office share

5.18.2012

[Variety]

Hollywood pics are performing increasingly well in Brazil, compensating for the decline of local movies.

In the first quarter of this year, the country’s total box office rose 8.7% to 359.2 million reals ($197.4 million), thanks to the 24.1% growth of the combined B.O. of all foreign pics and in spite of the sharp 67.1% fall on the combined B.O. of domestic movies.

The same trend was registered last year, when Brazil’s total B.O. increased 12.3%. The 21% rise in foreign pics’ B.O. offset the 27.3% decline of the local pics’ B.O. The market share of local pics fell to just 11.6% in 2011, from 17.9% in 2010.

Industry watchers say the fortunes of local pics could turn upward in the future but, for now, Hollywood dominates. …

Brazilian producers also do not compete for the fast growing local 3D market, says Sergio Sa Leitao, president of Rio municipal government funding company RioFilme. Mariana Caltabiano’s “Brazil Animated,” released in January 2011, is the only 3D local pic and no important Brazilian 3D pics are scheduled to open this year.

But the demand is there. The combined B.O. of all 3D pics in Brazil rose 40.5% in the first quarter of 2012 against the same period last year. Their market share of the total B.O. reached 29% in the period. …

See the full story here: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053865?refCatId=19

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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