Last year at Comic-Con, director Bryan Singer said he was open to the notion of converting SUPERMAN RETURNS to IMAX 3-D, but wouldve preferred shooting it in true 3-D with multiple cameras. However, after seeing a test of the trailer this year by IMAX, Singer became a quick convert. Although there wasnt sufficient time to convert the entire live-action feature, IMAX has still managed to convert 20 minutes using a proprietary 2-D to 3-D system, which includes technology licensed from Three-Dimensional Media Group Ltd. and invented by David M. Geshwind. This render-based system relies on real world calculations to accurately map and recreate three-dimensional space.
Thus, when SUPERMAN RETURNS: AN IMAX 3-D EXPERIENCE premieres at select IMAX theaters on June 27 at 10 pm, ahead of the official launch a day later, it marks the first live-action Hollywood feature to be at least partially converted from 2-D to 3-D, with the rest of the film playing in 2-D IMAX. The test scenes that have been converted into IMAX 3-D look, sound and feel absolutely amazing, added Singer. The magic of IMAX 3-D will envelop audiences in this story, enabling them to feel the emotion, drama and suspense in a completely new and unique way.
Singer told the LOS ANGELES TIMES that the addition of digital shadows by the IMAX technical team enhances the depth during such highlights as a shuttle disaster sequence and leaping high above the Kent farm during a flashback.
Singer also hinted that the deleted opening on planet Krypton might be converted to IMAX 3-D as a special treat. However, one source suggested that this would likely not occur until a subsequent IMAX engagement.
The 10th feature presented in IMAX theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures since 2003, this film follows the successful IMAX DMR releases of the second and third installments of THE MATRIX trilogy, THE POLAR EXPRESS, which was converted into IMAX 3-D, BATMAN BEGINS, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the third and fourth installments of the HARRY POTTER series, V FOR VENDETTA and POSEIDON. The studio has also released two original IMAX 3-D films, NASCAR 3-D: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE (2004) and DEEP SEA 3-D (2006).
Meanwhile, IMAX is also planning IMAX 3-D versions of such upcoming animated features as THE ANT BULLY, OPEN SEASON (from Sony Pictures Animation) and HAPPY FEET.
IMAXs live action 2-D to 3-D conversion process is based upon the basic principals of how the eyes and brainwork together to naturally create the three-dimensional world we live in. Most people see through two eyes and although both eyes automatically focus on a single center point, they see it from two slightly different perspectives. This creates two distinct images, which the brain then fuses to produce the three-dimensional depth in which we see things.
IMAX 3-D takes advantage of this natural process. An IMAX 3-D film actually consists of two separate strips of film projected onto the screen at the same time, one with images captured from the viewpoint of the right eye, and the other from the viewpoint of the left eye. Special IMAX 3-D glasses separate these images so that the viewers left eye sees only the left-projected image and the right eye sees only the right-projected image. This allows the brain to fuse the two images to create a three-dimensional visual that appears to come off/out of the screen and into the theater.
The left-eye and right-eye images are digitally re-mastered into IMAXs format using IMAX DMR technology and recorded onto two separate prints of 15/70 film for projection in IMAX 3-D. The IMAX 3-D projector simultaneously projects two strips of 15/70 film, one for each eye, onto a special silver IMAX 3-D screen.
The 15/70 film format used by IMAX is 10 times larger than conventional 35mm film and three times larger than standard 70mm. The sheer size of a 15/70 film frame, combined with the unique IMAX projection technology, is the key to the extraordinary sharpness and clarity of films exhibited in IMAX theaters.
Specially designed IMAX 3-D screens eliminate the discomfort and decapitated edges of smaller-format 3-D systems. The IMAX screen is coated with a specialty high-performance metallic paint and has a slight curvature that extends beyond the peripheral field of view.
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers some of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR technology. As of Dec. 31, 2005, there were 266 IMAX theaters operating in 38 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
