Want To Know What Was Said At The James Cameron - Cannes Panels Yesterday?

I just received the information I would have gotten yesterday had I been able to make the panels from a fine source of mine.

No further "Avatar" info I am afraid, but interesting info anyway...

In a nutshell, James Cameron and Vince Pace spoke via a Skype video link up to the site (both still toiling away on "Avatar"). The topics were: “New Dimensions for 3D: How Digital 3D Will Shape Movie Production and Distribution During The Next 20yrs” and “New Technology Driving Digital 3D”.

Here is the big news of the day - rather than 3D projects having a 20-40% premium on production, today's reality is that "Final Destination IV" is currently ahead of schedule and below budget at only a 10-15% cushion!

Cameron / Pace also made it clear that their systems are available for multiple concurrent projects as they have the world's largest inventory of 3D systems. GREAT news!

Here are some further snippets:

LOS ANGELES (MAY. 16, 2008)

The panel proved invaluable to the industry as the long time misperceptions of 3D production were lifted as legendary and well respected Director, James Cameron, along with Cinematographer and CEO of PACE, Vince Pace, expressed the true realities of the technology, its integration, and the financial impact of stereoscopic film making. With most industry speakers touting a 20-40% monetary increase, Pace stepped up to the microphone and brought to the table Final Destination 4, which is currently in production utilizing the latest PACE/Cameron Fusion F23 System. Having budgeted only a 10% - 15% cushion, production is currently ahead of schedule and under budget.

Pace and Cameron went on to clear the air as to the number of available acquisition systems currently in market for immediate use on production. The current Fusion System line, the world’s largest inventory of 3D systems, could easily service multiple high level feature films simultaneously. Both veterans stated that it is a matter of demand pushing the number of systems in the market, not the ability to actually produce them, and challenged film makers to join the revolution. PACE has the immediate ability to produce additional systems due to the internalized infrastructure of the proprietary technology.

Pace and Cameron have been working together since 1988 on the production of The Abyss. In 2001 Cameron came to Pace with the desire to build “the holy grail” of cameras. The challenge was to design a stereoscopic acquisition system that would reinvent the entertainment experience by providing imagery that mimics the human experience. The two thought leaders accomplished this feat by throwing out the mathematics that previously drove and hindered 3D production; replacing it with the creatively driven tool known today as the first camera in the Fusion System line - blurring the line between having seen it and having been there.

I'll bring you more James Cameron updates as they happen - heck - BEFORE they happen! :-)