Disney Digital 3D, a brand new three-dimensional digital experience in movie theaters, will be launched with the release of the studios first 3D-animated feature, CHICKEN LITTLE, on Nov. 4.
In collaboration with Disney, Dolby Laboratories plans to install its Dolby Digital Cinema systems in approximately 100 high-profile theaters in 25 top markets that will present the 3D film with special glasses. Industrial Light & Magic, meanwhile, will render the movie in 3D with new proprietary software so it can be played on Dolby Digital Cinema servers in theaters.
This marks the first time a major movie studio has fully embraced a digital deployment plan utilizing 3D, and comes on the heels of IMAXs phenomenal success last year with POLAR EXPRESS in 3D and future commitment to the process. It also comes amid the promise of other digital 3D activity from the likes of James Cameron (who is in pre-production on his next feature) and George Lucas (who plans on reformatting the STAR WARS movies).
According to Dick Cook, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, "Our proprietary, state-of-the-art CG animation process used to make CHICKEN LITTLE and future animation projects will finally allow moviegoers to experience true digital three-dimensional entertainment in theaters. Walt Disney pioneered many technological breakthroughs and set an uncompromising goal for his studio to constantly push the envelope to offer a superior movie going experience. We are very proud to add this animation milestone to the long list of technological breakthroughs for the studio, and we are especially thrilled to work with entertainment technology leader Dolby in this exciting launch. Likewise, we are proud to have the wizards at Industrial Light & Magic to help deliver the movie in 3D."
"Disney and Dolby's commitment to digital cinema paves the way for a large scale digital cinema deployment," said Tim Partridge, svp/gm, professional division, Dolby Laboratories.
ILM president Chrissie England added, "The digital 3D release of CHICKEN LITTLE is a very exciting chapter in Hollywood history as it marks the next generation of moviemaking. We are delighted to participate with Disney in setting a new benchmark for the future. We are pleased that CHICKEN LITTLE is the first animated movie to use our new process using Disney's actual 3D models, animation, and camera data. This process allows us to provide a richer, more nuanced viewing experience for moviegoers than any existing post-production techniques. We feel audiences will embrace this experience as the new standard in animated features."
Walt Disney Studios is a unit of The Walt Disney Co. (www.disney.go.com) and distributes motion pictures under Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Feature Animation and DisneyToon Studios, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films and Dimension Films. Buena Vista International serves as the studio's international distribution arm.
San Francisco-based Dolby Laboratories (www.dolby.com) develops and delivers products and technologies that make the entertainment experience more realistic and immersive.
Industrial Light & Magic (www.ilm.com) is a Lucasfilm Ltd. company serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects. ILM has been awarded 14 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and received 17 Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards. With its many technical and creative innovations, ILM has helped drive the evolution of visual effects and digital imagery.
ILM and Lucasfilm will soon relocate to its new home, The Letterman Digital Arts Center, at the Presidio in San Francisco.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
