TOP GUN 3D Impresses! Nostalgia And Great 3D Make For A Wonderful IMAX Experience

Definitely recommended. TOP GUN 3D delivers of the action and memories of the original Tom Cruise movie but with depth and added emotion.

Legend3D is responsible for the 3D conversion and they did an outstanding job considering that the original was not 4K remastered. It was fascinating to see an old school "film" converted for IMAX because you can see the film grain and obviously that would present some issues for a conversion. And yet Legend3D delivered. Yes there were some small items of note (the beach volleyball scene has some very tiny issues with the net that lasted about 2 seconds) but overall I was shocked at how well the whole thing looked blown up on a huge IMAX screen.

Some of the scenes must be addressed individually because they looked stunning in 3D. The POV shot overlooking the tail (with smoke streamers) of the navy jet after takeoff - WOW. The runway night shot with the flashing landing lights and Cruise's motorcycle nearby looked great. One of the highlights is seeing a 3 dimensional view of a reflection in the jet's cockpit canopy glass - amazing.

The emotional scenes draw you in more in 3D. You feel like you are in that blistering hot aircraft carrier about to get chewed out for a tower flyby. It's a rather intense experience to see a movie that you watched over and over again in younger years presented in such a modern, immersive fashion. It's almost dreamlike.

And finally, this was a Tony Scott film. If you're a fan then what better way to celebrate his memory than to go to the cinema and see one of his better films on the big screen. You may not have another chance like this one. Think about Scott's warm use of color, his attention to time of day scenes, intense, emotional closeups and his use of soundtrack. Frankly I was in awe of his ability to simply create a blockbuster movie! The resources and cooperation needed to pull off TOP GUN was staggering.

If you haven't seen TOP GUN let alone TOP GUN 3D, then don't wait - get out and see it! It's only in IMAX theaters for less than a week now. Trust me, if you liked the original classic movie then you'll love TOP GUN 3D.

TOP GUN 3D is also now available for preorder in Blu-ray at Amazon.

Possible Bankruptcy Looming For Digital Domain - What Will It Mean To All Of Their Operations? Potential Silver Lining? And A Michael Bay Statement...

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With a recent filing with the SEC, Digital Domain Media Group states that they are defaulting on a $35 million loan now, bringing their now owing number to $51 million plus another $16 million in interest and penalties. But further than that, it also told the SEC: "An inability to quickly access additional sources of liquidity to fund the company’s current operating cash needs would materially adversely affect its financial condition and would require it to seek relief or protection from its creditors."

The local Florida newspapers are tearing up not only the leadership of Digital Domain, but also of their political leaders who bought into the glitz of having a big piece of Hollywood in their backyard. DDMG had received promises of $135 million in cash, financing, land and tax credits from Florida and the cities of Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach. Apparently DDMG only had $6.6 million in cash back on June 30.

It seems that Digital Domain's film school built in cooperation with Florida State University will be able to continue operation. Says FSU's Andrew Syder (Director of Digital Media Programs): "We’re in bed with Digital Domain. But if Digital Domain went belly-up tomorrow, we’ve designed our curriculum so we can still serve our students. Our students wouldn’t be left high and dry."

The film school is unique in that it allows the $28,000 / year program students to work for Digital Domain while learning. That option may now not exist if a bankruptcy ensues. Hopefully that's not the case.


Many well known celebrities have been associated with Digital Domain over the years. The company's website still lists James Cameron and Stan Winston almost as if they are still involved as founders (remember this t-shirt from 1996 when they were working on AVATAR) - clearly that's not true with Cameron busy with Lightstorm Entertainment, his world breaking dives and other projects, and the sad passing of Winston in 2008. Dan Marino was also a very visible investor in the company.

Here's a statement from Michael Bay on Digital Domain:
"For those people and press asking: I stopped being an officer or director of the company over three years ago, and have not owned stock in the company for some time. I have remained a loyal client and supporter of the company however. It has amazing people and talent, and it still can be a great company! During this difficult time, my thoughts are with the great people I've had the pleasure to work with at DD."

I have also received word from someone who works for Digital Domain and it's not looking like there is much silver lining to any of this:
"Things are up-side-down here. It looks as though the In-Three Re-Vamping-Expansion is going to be a bust. Cuts are coming across the board."

In-Three was a top tier 3D conversion specialist that Digital Domain bought out in 2010.

SAME DAY UPDATE: I just received a great email from Barry Sandrew of Legend3D. In it, he passes on his comments about the state of the industry and DD itself:

"At issue: Here is a company, DD laying people off while another, Legend3D is hiring like crazy. The question is… which is indicative of the current state of the industry? My message is that the industry is alive and well. Florida was a very unfortunate anomaly that is not representative of the Industry. Lots of talented people, many that had jobs and some that were promised jobs, are unemployed today because of DD closing down their Florida operation. I know of at least one family that sold everything and was driving out to Florida for what turned out to be a non-existant job. But fortunately, these people do not have to be unemployed. Legend3D is hiring to meet an increasing demand for both our expanding 3D conversion business as well as our StereoWorks service that offers both 2D and 3D post production and VFX.

It's important that people understand… DD has historically been and continues to be an exceptional, if not iconic VFX studio. Indeed, the industry would be negatively affected if DD were not here. Legend3D has worked closely with DD on several projects, the most memorable of which was Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The cooperation and professionalism from their very talented artists and management was instrumental in making that project a success. I believe it's positive that they are currently in reorg mode. The downsizing will be very difficult for many people but it will likely mean the long term survival and a healthy turn around for DD."

I'm uncertain as to where this leaves Prime Focus and their licensing of Digital Domain's (In-Three) 3D conversion technology. I've reached out to someone I know at Prime Focus and we'll see if everything's good on their end. Hopefully it's full steam ahead for them and that this potential bankruptcy doesn't affect other companies and individuals.

**UPDATE, Sep 12: I've heard from my friend Bobby Jaffe, CSO and Vice Chairman of Prime Focus and here's his comment on the situation: "Our agreement with DD is a perpetual agreement and forever unaffected by any changes to the management or financial situation at DD."

A silver lining? Potentially. Those unemployed artists can perhaps take solace in the fact that there are other companies hiring - and hiring many. Legend3D for example is currently on the hunt for 150 compositing and depth conversion artists, rendering technicians, software programmers and data managers for upcoming projects that they have secured from three major studios. Their timeline for hiring? The next 3 months. Perhaps this is the opportunity that many have been looking for and perhaps some good can come out of this bad situation.

I want to firmly state my opinion on this matter: DDMG's demise has nothing to do with 3D or conversion. 3D Conversion is very much alive and thriving. DDMG's condition is due to over zealous leadership and decisions that were made by many (including politicians that should have known better) that has caused these events to take place. Best of luck to everyone involved - I hope that you will land with your feet on the ground in a timely fashion!

Sources: DigitalDomain | ShootForTheEdit | South Florida Business Journal | Palm Beach Post | TCPalm

Legend3D Looks To Expand By 150 Seats In The Next 3 Months

San Diego based Legend3D is expanding! They are looking to hire 150 artists for upcoming 3D movie conversions bringing their total number of employees to 400. Compositing and depth conversion artists, rendering technicians, software programmers and data managers are the order of the day. If you fit the mold why not send them your resume?

Three major studios have tapped Barry Sandrew's company but he can't comment on which projects are earmarked for 3D. Says Sandrew: "We're under strict [non-disclosure agreements] on all current and future projects."

Legend3D has quite the pedigree of previous work to their name including: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, MADAGASCAR 3, GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, HUGO, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, THE GREEN HORNET and ALICE IN WONDERLAND to name a few. 

On a sad note, Barry had just met with director Tony Scott just days before his death to discuss the 3D conversion of TOP GUN. That's certainly one of the benefits of being in the 3D industry - you get to meet some very talented and unique people.

Good luck with the expansion Legend3D!

Source: The Daily Transcript

Poignant Reminder: Days Before Death, Tony Scott Was Full Of Life - Embraced TOP GUN 3D

As anyone who follows me in my social circles has noticed since the untimely death of director Tony Scott, I have been vocal in my shock and in my remembrance of the man. I had refrained from posting anything on MarketSaw because I didn't think I could represent him well enough.

Well as it turns out, my friend Barry Sandrew (who runs Legend3D) posted a heartfelt memorial to Scott on his blog REFLECTIONS ON THE GROWTH OF 3D that resonated with me and I thought this would be appropriate to share with my readers. I have already retweeted his post and shared via Facebook and Google+ but wanted MarketSaw to be a part of it too.

What really captured my attention was just how down to earth and candid Mr. Scott was. Approachable. And what a visionary! He saw what 3D could do for TOP GUN and embraced it. His first comment to the Legend3D team (who did the 3D conversion for TOP GUN 3D) was "Legend3D, you guys are f___king awesome!" and he treated them with no ego whatsoever. I let a huge smile spread across my face when I read his comment.

I think he probably knew the effect of awe he had on others. People that have worked with him over the years know. I never had the pleasure of meeting the man and I wish I had. So this is my memorial for Tony, vicariously through Barry: Godspeed to you Mr. Scott. You had the big picture. My thoughts have been and will be with the Scott family.