American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 52

With 3-D productions on the rise, an ASC associate member and recent editor of the American Cinematographer Manual offers a primer on the principles of stereoscopic cinematography. by Rob Hummel T he entire breadth of stereoscopic cinematography, more often called 3-D, is more complex than one article can cover. This piece is intended as a primer on the basic constructs of this complex medium, one that I hope will encourage further research on the subject. In order to save some ink, we will cave to convention and henceforth refer to stereoscopic cinematography as “3-D.” Before we begin the discussion, let’s first define some terms. Left Eye: Refers to photographed images intended to be seen only by a person’s left eye. This term can refer to the lens or camera that is capturing the left-eye images, or the left-eye images projected in a theater. Right Eye: Photographed images intended to be seen only by a person’s right eye. In 3-D cinematography, this is often called the “master eye” or “dominant eye.” Stereoscopic: Refers to the dual imagery obtained when viewed from two vantage points slightly offset horizontally from one another. Quite simply, this is what we observe with both eyes simultaneously; it gives a sense of dimensionality to objects closer than 13'-16'. Also called “binocular vision.” Monocular Depth Perception: Refers to depth perception not requiring dual image cues, or the depth perception that comes into play with objects farther than 13'16' away. Convergence: What happens with the human visual system as two images seen with the left and right eyes become overlaid, creating one image. When looking at an object at infinity, your eyes are looking straight ahead (Fig. 1). Convergence happens when stereoscopic depth perception comes into play, i.e., when objects you are targeting/ focusing on are closer than 13'-16' (Fig. 2). When focused at infinity, objects close to you appear as two transparent images; as you converge on those close objects, they become one solid image, and objects in the background become double images. In 3-D cinematography, convergence is when the two taking lenses are aimed to converge on a single point in space. Screen Plane: The position in a theater where the projection surface is located; a vertical plane coincident with the screen that helps define where objects appear in front of, behind or on the screen. Plane of Convergence: The vertical plane where your eyes are directed to converge on a 3-D object. If an object appears to be floating in front of the movie screen, the plane of convergence is where that object appears to be. The same 52 April 2008

American Cinematographer - April 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - April 2008

American Cinematographer - April 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Global Village: The Counterfeiters
Short Takes: Milia
Production Slate: Paranoid Park
Production Slate: All the Boys Love Mandy Lane
Card Sharks
Temple of Doom
3-D Cinematography
Sundance 2008: Mining for Movies
Post Focus: Digital Film Tree Gets into Peyote
Post Focus: FotoKem’s 3-D Workflow
Post Focus: Technicolor Digs in at Pinewood
Filmmakers’ Forum: Steven Fierberg, ASC on Searchers 2.0
New Products & Services
International Marketplace
Classified Ads
Ad Index
Clubhouse News
ASC Close-Up: Rodney Taylor
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - American Cinematographer - April 2008
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Cover2
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 1
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 2
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Contents
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 4
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 5
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 6
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 7
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Editor's Note
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 9
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Global Village: The Counterfeiters
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 11
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 12
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 13
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Short Takes: Milia
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 15
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 16
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 17
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Production Slate: All the Boys Love Mandy Lane
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 19
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 20
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 21
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 22
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 23
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 24
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 25
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 26
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 27
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 28
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 29
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Card Sharks
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 31
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 32
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 33
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 34
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 35
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 36
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 37
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 38
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 39
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 40
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 41
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Temple of Doom
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 43
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 44
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 45
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 46
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 47
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 48
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 49
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 50
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 51
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 3-D Cinematography
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 53
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 54
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 55
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 56
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 57
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 58
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 59
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 60
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 61
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 62
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 63
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Sundance 2008: Mining for Movies
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 65
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 66
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 67
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 68
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 69
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 70
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 71
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 72
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 73
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 74
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 75
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 76
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 77
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 78
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 79
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 80
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 81
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 82
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 83
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Post Focus: Technicolor Digs in at Pinewood
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 85
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 86
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 87
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 88
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 89
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Filmmakers’ Forum: Steven Fierberg, ASC on Searchers 2.0
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 91
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 92
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 93
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - New Products & Services
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 95
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 96
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 97
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 98
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 99
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 100
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 101
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 102
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 103
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 104
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 105
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 106
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 107
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 108
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 109
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - International Marketplace
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 111
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Ad Index
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 113
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Clubhouse News
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - 115
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - ASC Close-Up: Rodney Taylor
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Cover3
American Cinematographer - April 2008 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac1007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/acbest2006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac0107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ac/ac200001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com