3D From Start To Finish Road Tour

Happy New Year, Everyone!
Lots of very cool things happening in the world of Panasonic AVCCAM products.

Our good friends at Roscor Media and Technologies are hosting the 3D From Start to Finish Road Tour, this month.

We will be showcasing the Panasonic AG-3DA1 camera, and demonstrating the work flow from acquisition, to post to output. Hope to see you at one of these events.

Here are the dates:
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011
Sessions at: 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Baronette Renaissance
27790 Novi Rd.
Novi, MI 48377

Thursday, January 13th, 2011
Sessions at: 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
InterContinental Chicago
505 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
Sessions at: 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Sharonville Convention Center
11355 Chester Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Thursday, January 20th, 2011
Sessions at: 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn Cleveland - South
6001 Rockside Rd.
Independence, OH 44131

To register, please visit: http://www.roscor.com/content/view/671/1039/

More to come,
The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own.

This 3D Thing. Is it all hot air?

I can't tell you how many times I get asked this question.
Come on, 3D is not new, it comes to the forefront every 10-15 years. It is a fad and then it vanishes. Why is this time any different?
Ok, here are the reasons why I feel that this is finally the time for wide acceptance of 3D.
1. See it Anywhere

For the first time in history, as 3D storytellers, we do not have to ask our audience to go to a theatre. Home 3D is a reality and getting cheaper by the day and you can even watch 3D on your computer.
2. Hello, Infrastructure
And now, the infrastructure to create really good 3D exists. We have cameras, we can edit, we can distribute and we can display. To quote Bob, "The times they are a changin'"
3. Shooting 3D
Really? How do we shoot 3D? There are side by side, and mirror rigs and the new Panasonic 3DA1, integrated 3D camera system. Basically you need two cameras absolutely seeing the same thing. Just like our eyes. If your rig, or camcorder can do that, shooting 3D just got way easier.
4. Editing.
OK, what NLE do you use? It doesn't matter, there are a number of plug ins for any NLE including: Dashwood, Cineform, and Quantel.
Editing 3D has never been easier.
5. Display
Take your choice: Anaglyph (ugly, but works on all displays, including computer), passive polarized glasses, or active shutter glasses. They all work.
Oh, and watch price of 3D plasmas, they are falling faster than you can image.

6. Distribution
OK, you shot it, you edited it, now how do you deliver it?
How about You Tube?
Or, side by side, easy to create in any NLE. Just burn to Blu-Ray Image, output on Standard Blu-ray player to consumer 3D plasma and presto chango, you have 3D. Stunning
7. The 10 foot blue people in the room
Avatar changed everything for a theatrical 3D experience. Wait until you see the 3D Blu-ray of Avatar in your home. It will once again change everything.

I have been shooting 3D with the Panasonic 3DA1 since March 2010. Would love to talk to you about it. Just reply below.

It changed the way I capture the world. I am training cinematographers every day how to shoot 3D with this camera.
We can now create images that mirror what we see.
Way cool!
More to come,
The Road Warrior
FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own.

3D Everywhere, All The Time

Wow, the hits just keep on comin'. I am having a blast shooting 3D with the Panasonic 3DA1 camera and training other shooters how to shoot 3D with it.

Let's pick up from my last post which had me in San Diego closing out the When It Counts Post NAB Road Show, (that's me in action) For the record, I presented 3D at each of these events (think there were 27 different cities). And the crowds cheered!

Ok, right after San Diego, I am off to Orlando for WEVA. (Wedding and Event Videographer's Association).
We had worked with a couple of Wedding Videographers and showed, for the first time, weddings shot in 3D with the 3DA1 camera. It was simply amazing. We had this big plasma in the booth, and lines of people standing watching weddings of people that they didn't even know. It sure opened many of the WEVA attendees eyes to the real possibility of shooting and delivering 3D weddings!

September starts with me doing demos at NYU. This is always a great venue. The faculty is very cool and the students are so IN TO IT! I love being there.
From NYC to Atlanta to train the Weather Channel on shooting 3D. Now they want to shoot a tornado in 3D. Not me. That same week I presented at SMPTE meetings in Atlanta and Nashville. Just continuing the different day, different city 3D tour.

The next week I am off to Hawaii.
See why I love this job. In paradise, shooting 3D and training shooters. It doesn't get much better than this. Oh, wait, yes it does, read on...

Straight from Hawaii to LA for DV Expo. This was an amazing show.

For the first time we showed a working sample of the new AF100 camera. We had it right next to the 3DA1 and I have to tell you, Panasonic has two new rock stars. We had people lined up in the booth, 5 or 6 deep. It was like the early days of P2. It was fun! These are both incredible cameras.

But wait, from LA to Albuquerque, NM to shoot 3D at the International Balloon Fiesta.

See, I told you it got better.

WOW what an event! Over 800 hot air balloons ascending. It is said that this is the most photographed event in the world. I can easy believe it.
Everywhere you look is an incredible image, and the 3DA1 captured it all in breathtaking 3D. We even got the camera into a balloon.

Kudos to my son, Mike, I drafted him to be second unit 3D cameraman, and he took the camera up in a balloon. Good stuff. Thanks, Mike.





We shot tons of footage, and it is in a process of being edited now. Hope to have it on a Blu-ray soon and be able to show it at various events.



From balloons to Texas for 3D training at University and then on to Chicago for 3D event with Createasphere.
Then back to NYC for 3D presentation at NYU.....
Off to Seattle for 3D presentation at VMI show and then to Denver for 3D presentations at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival Tech Symposium.
As you can see, I have been busy. I know I should try to post more while I am on the road, and I will try to do better.

Some Bernie Tips on shooting with the 3DA1.
* It is not really a hand held camera. Yes, you can hand hold it and Mike had to in the balloon, but I don't recommend it. Use a tripod, or monopod, shaky 3D looks really bad.
* Use the 3D guide in the camera. It gives you a distance guide to let you know where your 3D safe space is. It really helps you to avoid parallax issues and bad 3D.
* Remember to stay at least 8 feet away from your subject. Yes, you can zoom in, but stay 8 feet away. This was really hard to do at the Balloon Fiesta as people kept walking in front of the lens causing framing or window violations.
* Try to use the positive space (behind the screen) and avoid much coming into the negative space (in front of the screen). It is cheesy and tiring to watch.
* Dashwood has a great iPhone app which allows you to check your parallax settings. And they have even converted the C number to feet. Thanks, Tim. Great tool, it really helps. I recommend it.

More to Come,
Bernie
The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own.

When It Counts Road Show Final Stops

Hello, West Coast.
Quick side trip, landed at SFO. We have spent the last 14 weeks on the road with the Panasonic When It Counts Road Show. It has been great meeting and talking with many of you Road Warrior followers. But, sadly all good things have to come to an end.

Today, I have meetings and presentations in Monterey (what a great place) on the HMC80 camera. Lots of educators are really excited about this new camera. Not only does it shoot AVCHD in all the formats and frame rates, but it also shoots DV on an SDHC card.
So now, schools and churches don't have to upgrade their computers, if they just need to shoot and deliver Standard Definition. And what a camera; shoulder-mount, built in XLR connectors firewire and USB connections, component video out, etc. . Great flexibility and really nice pictures.
Later this week on Thursday we close out the When It Counts Road Show in San Diego at the New Hard Rock Hotel. If you are in the area, stop by and see not only the HMC80, but also the 3DA1 camera and learn all about the new great products from Panasonic.

More to Come,
Bernie
The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own.

New York When It Counts Road Show

The Panasonic When It Counts Road Show hit the Big Apple yesterday, and the joint was jumpin.
As usual my presentation was on the AVCCAM family of products, which now includes the HMC150, HMC40 (Little Buster), HMR10 and POVCAM, the new HMC80 (more on this in another post), and the super hot two new products the AF100, and of course the 3DA1.

Next week the show moves on to Minneapolis and then we wind up the following week in San Diego, hope to see you there.

In the second picture, I am demonstrating how to set convergence on the 3DA1.

Bernie
The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own.

I'm Been Everywhere, Man!

Being the Road Warrior Sometimes Stinks!
Ok, so yesterday I was in Portland (coming off a great Panasonic When It Counts Road Show). Flying home from Portand to Knoxville. No big deal.
And Portland is the home of Leatherman so, I had to stop at factory store and buy a cool new one.
Anyway, I am routed thru Minneapolis, and we are delayed. Arghh.
Then we finally get out on the tarmac, and wait an hour and run out of gas. Arrgh. So, we go back to gate, to refuel. 2 hours later we are on the tarmac again. Finally, we take off. I get home after 1:30am and have to be on a plane the next morning at 7am for flight to NYC to train film schools on AVCCAM. Short nite.
I get to airport, fly to Newark, but wait...We circle for an hour before landing, and then the GPS in the rental car routes me in circles around the Holland Tunnel. Finally get to Secaucus 2 hours later than planned. I am jet lagged, and GPS'd. Hopefully, tomorrow in NYC will be better.
The Road Warrior (earned it this trip)
More to come, as always

Another Opening of Another Road Show

Wow, what a summer it has been so far. Each week a different city, all part of the Panasonic When It Counts Road Show. We have been showing lots of new products and I have been demoing the hot new 3D Camera. Reaction has been amazing. Everyone can't wait to get their heads and hands around 3D shooting.

We have done shows in Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Miami, Washington, DC, Boston, Manchester, NH, Dallas, and now this week in Portland.
We still have more to come, with shows in Denver, Atlanta, New York City, Minneapolis and San Diego.
To get more information check out Panasonic Broadcast on Facebook and find the posting for the Panasonic When It Counts Road Show. There is a link for registration and more information
Hope to see you somewhere on the road.

Lots More to Come,
The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own.