In an exclusive article published online by our friends at 3D Focus, Torsten Hoffmann, a recognized leader in 3D content as the distributor of one of the largest stereoscopic 3D portfolios in the world, warned producers against unrealistic expectations for the commercial value of 3D content and outlined the business models of making money with 3D content.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
It’s medieval soup week! Until next Wednesday, we’re rolling out photos, video and exclusive interviews detailing Battle Castle’s medieval soup challenge.
Writer Nicole Tomlinson details a strawberry pierogi dish made especially for her at Malbork Castle in Poland during the filming of the Battle Castle action documentary series. Bogdan Gatazka, chef at the Gothic Cafe, a restaurant located inside the castle, dreamed up special dishes for Tomlinson every day to accommodate her vegetarian diet and gave her a cookbook called “The Cuisine of the Teutonic Grand Masters in Malbork Castle”, which contained a recipe for cherry soup that inspired her to go on a mission to cook medieval soups and share the recipes.
Medieval soup challenge: At Malbork Castle, a one-of-a-kind chef’s hat comes out of the brickwork
Bogdan Gatazka, chef at the Gothic Café, failed to find his “chef’s hat” before Writer Nicole Tomlinson interviewed him. But just as the chat begins, a waiter comes through. Gatazka dreamed up special dishes for Tomlinson every day while she and the rest of the crew were at the castle filming for the Battle Castle series. He also gave her a cookbook called “The Cuisine of the Teutonic Grand Masters in Malbork Castle”, which contained a recipe for cherry soup that inspired her to go on a mission to cook medieval soups and share the recipes.
BattleCastle.TV: host Dan Snow shares the mystery behind Conwy’s master builder
Battle Castle host Dan Snow reveals how Conwy’s architecture helped identify the mastermind behind its design. Master James of St. George and his castle builders also raised Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris — combined, these fortifications are known as the Iron Ring. Conwy was commissioned by King Edward I in Snowdonia, Wales, and was tested with Madog ap Llywelyn led a medieval rebellion against the English and their Iron Ring of fortifications in the late 13th century. The secrets of this mighty castle’s build and details of the siege it faced are revealed in Battle Castle: Conwy.
As 3D becomes more prevalent in the music industry, some of the world’s most venerable artists are weighing in on the stereoscopic experience – including Peter Gabriel.
The star recently talked about the appeal of 3D while he was in Montreal promoting his latest tour and “New Blood: Live in London” – a 3D concert film produced by UK-based Eagle Rock Entertainment.
“To me [3D] is very similar to stereo. People thought stereo was a gimmick,” Gabriel says. “It’s a device, it’s a tool, but it allows you into this world which I think is closer to real life.”
“What I particularly like is when you have some slow moving shots that give you a sense of space… you feel it in a very different way than you do in two dimensions.”
Gabriel goes on to say that despite the current viewing format requires glasses, he feels it’s the only way forward.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: host Dan Snow details Malbork’s “VIP” prison
Battle Castle host Dan Snow shares the story of an elite medieval “guest” who was held captive in Malbork Castle’s prison and details the mystery behind his escape. This cell, which is said to have held “VIP” prisoners in the Middle Ages, is positioned in the High Castle. The stronghold, believed to be the largest brick castle in the world, was built by Christians during the Baltic Crusades. Historically known as Marienburg, this fortification was besieged by Polish and Lithuanian forces after the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410, and defended by Heinrich von Plauen.
Dan’s vlogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
“What happens when a former Battle Castle PA is left alone in a warehouse full of boxes to stack? … Crenellations happen, that’s what!” Sean Dobbyn via Facebook
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
Jonathan Tustain of 3D Focus – a UK-based website that covers the latest developments in stereoscopic entertainment – attended this year’s MIPCOM conference to check out the latest 3D content and report on the event.
We chatted with Tustian about his experiences at MIPCOM – and the state of 3D TV in general.
Here’s what he had to say:
Why MIPCOM was a must
A lot of websites (about 3D) really do focus on the technologies. I thought there was way too much of that and not too much of the actual content. So the idea was really to get to MIPCOM and see what was being created – if it’s being made in 3D, it’s likely you’ll see it there. In a nutshell that’s what MIPCOM’s about – content.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: host Dan Snow discovers Crac des Chevaliers’ underground stores
Host Dan Snow descends deep into Crac des Chevaliers to explore its elaborate storage system and detail the role that it would have played during a siege. Dubbed the crown jewel of crusader castles, this castle is located in Northern Syria. It was constructed by Christian knights in the 12th and 13th centuries, and faced attack by a Muslim force armed with trebuchets and led by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars in 1271. The secrets of its build and details of the epic siege it faced are revealed in Battle Castle: Crac des Chevaliers.
Dan’s vlogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
Almost two years after 3D TVs started to fly off the production lines, people are growing tired of the talk about the latest and greatest technology – they want to see the content.
But there are still a lot of obstacles standing between consumers and their first 3D experience.
Here are five things the industry needs to do to get more eyes on the prize:
1. Tell them what’s best: If you are the average consumer you do not know that the surest bet is to buy a 3D TV with passive glasses and at a reasonable price.
2. Know your product: We went into every one we came across over the past 6 months. None – and I mean not one of the guys we met and discussed 3D with knew what they were talking about.
3. Stock up on simple: Manufacturers want to unload their “old” – as in months old – technology. By and large these TVs remain too complicated for the average consumer to operate or maintain. Just try purchasing a replacement battery for those active shutter glasses.
4. Improve distribution: Just a couple of major companies – such as Universal Studios – control 80 per cent of DVD sales in the world. In addition there’s several middle companies that control access to these majors. Each one takes a hefty commission along the way. But if you don’t deal with these guys – your 3D DVD is not going to get wide release. Ultimately a very small share of the retail sales flows down to the producer – so it’s not worth the hassle and the consumer stays hostage to the major companies.
5. Fess up: The broadcaster and the television manufacturers’ PR machines perpetuate the “coming of age” story – failing to properly acknowledge the above obstacles.
Until producers, manufacturers, distributers and broadcasters work to eliminate these challenges for the consumer, the 3D “hype” will remain unfulfilled.
Battle Castle host Dan Snow reveals why 4 p.m. sunsets are a thing of beauty during a November shoot at Dover Castle in Kent, England.
This castle, known as “the Key to England” was attacked by Prince Louis of France with an array of weapons technology including the mangonel, perrier and siege tower. The stone castle was built mostly by Henry the II’s engineer Maurice, and defended by Hubert de Burgh, loyal to English King John.
Dan’s blogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
It’s a rare opportunity to explore, step-by-step, what it takes to shoot, edit and deliver stereoscopic programming for networks such as National Geographic and 3net. Ian and Sean will present their work from “Blowdown 3D: Goooal”, which profiles the implosion of the Fonte Nova Stadium in Salvador, Brazil, talk about their journey into stereoscopic 3D production, and share behind the scenes details about one of the most unique productions to date.
All attendees will be entered into a draw for a number of products, including a BluRay of “Blowdown 3D”.
This event is FREE and open to the public but tickets are going fast – 4 left as of 10 a.m. PST!
This event will take place from 6–8pm (door 5:30) at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, North Building, Intersections Digital Studios.
Emily Carr’s Stereographic 3D Centre is a national centre of excellence dedicated to advancing the art of stereoscopic 3D through research, education and training.
Battle Castle host Dan Snow details the unusual story of a Roman amphitheatre that sits at the foot of the Alcazaba of Malaga in the Andalusia region of Spain. The theatre was built in time of Augustus, and was later used as a quarry by Muslims to raise the city’s fortifications. Roman column shafts and capitals, still visible in the walls of the structures, are said to be a testament to the castle builders’ pragmatic approach to construction. Battle Castle: Malaga brings to life the medieval siege of 1487, when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella attacked the city and its Castillo de Gibralfaro in an attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Granada and complete the Reconquista, a Muslim Christian conflict that spanned centuries.
Dan’s vlogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
