It’s been a long journey into the realm of 3D documentary filmmaking for myself and the rest of the Parallax team.
A rugged path marked with a few big wins – triumphs earned via epic missions through a series of formidable stereoscopic obstacles.
The good news: we’ve trampled a rough trail … a trail that will hopefully help other enthusiasts avoid getting too thoroughly lost in the enchanted forest that is 3D production.
Our stereographer, Sean White, details some quick and dirty ways to follow us into the third dimension.
Immerse yourself
Learning 3D is a full-time job. A solid foundation of stereo principles is needed if you want to succeed
Research. Take an introductory course. Enlist the help of an experienced stereographer.
Or for true 3D keeners, deconstruct a ready-made system into its basic components. Best way to master the beast. Hands down.
Start small
Our first foray into 3D filmmaking was a modest one involving two $20 cameras purchased on EBay and mounted on a side-by-side rig.
Starting small makes getting bigger the only option.
Experiment
Always think of ways to make your 3D system better. Tinker, take risks, and invent.
Capitalize fully on your mistakes by knowing exactly where you went wrong. Leave no error unturned.
Share your failures and successes with other experimenters. Best way to avoid epic catastrophes.
Keep your eye on the prize
Driving your whole 3D pursuit is the desire for results – not only should you want something properly stereographed but something beautifully stereographed.
Keeping this in mind, never forget to reverse calculate . . . knowing what you want in the end means taking purposeful, well-thought steps to get there.
Alright, that about does it … now it’s time for the good stuff:
Get out there, get dirty, and above all, have fun.
–Ian Herring, President
Stereographer Sean White films Battle Castle: Dover.
Click here for more photos of the Beamer EX and Parallax crew in action.
