Need A Reason To See TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT? It's Shot In Native 3D

Glorious native 3D. I can't wait to see TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT. To see this cutting edge technology in play once again. Yes, 3D conversion has come a VERY long way and I'm impressed with today's efforts from companies like Stereo D, Legend and Prime Focus to name a few, but native 3D holds a very dear place in my heart and mind.

Says Bay: "If I'm going to do 3D, I'm going to do it the right way. Believe it or not, I think we are the only 3D movie being shot native this year. All the rig people who own the rigs, they're like, 'Our business is done.'"

I hear the same thing, though to me native 3D is just absolutely breathtaking if done correctly. James Cameron knows it. Ang Lee knows it. Martin Scorsese knows it. Michael Bay knows it.

If you will recall, I called on Michael on whether he was going to shoot Transformers 3 in 3D back in the day - before he was involved with the format. I like to think I pushed him a bit toward ultimately becoming one of native 3D's strongest voices... ahhh, but clearly he makes his own mind up :-)

I smile to hear him say, "It's like a curve, it gets more intense, then it comes back down. A little higher, a little lower, where your brain gets a rest. But all that's got to be sculpted. It's about intensity and energy and intimacy and then composition and movement."

I smile because that is so bang-on. That he obviously gets it. That he's come a long way to be at the point he is now.

So yes, TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT is shot in native 3D, mixing Arri Alexa 65's and Red Dragon's with anamorphic and Hawk lenses. Still, up to 20% of the movie may be post-converted to 3D due to the intimate nature of the shots. We all know what the TRANSFORMERS franchise is all about - epic, visual grandeur. It always has been. And I for one, can't wait to see this native 3D epic in all its glory.

The sad reality seems to be that theatrical native 3D has had its glory days. But, it's now moving more into virtual reality. So too will MarketSaw evolve into the VR space, with some very cool announcements coming up. I'm working on a very special project that is in stealth right now, but I'll have more soon for you. The good news is, stereoscopic 3D is still very much alive and evolving into cool new technologies.

Quotes Source: FilmJournal

Michael Bay Talks TRANSFORMERS 4 And I Talk TF3D Ride At Universal!!

I just experienced the TRANSFORMERS 3D Ride at Universal and WOW - thrilling! I had a Front Of The Line pass so I was able to see it multiple times and it never got old. One scene in particular involving a floor of a building (if you've seen it you know what I mean) is just jaw dropping. I won't say more! See it for yourself!!

And a great way to break into a post about the movie franchise too! With Michael Bay's recent muse Mark Wahlberg (PAIN AND GAIN) joining him, Michael Bay is coming back to his Transformers franchise in a different way with TRANSFORMERS 4 kicking off a new trilogy of movies.

So where do you suppose he's going with this movie?

Here's what Bay had to say about TRANSFORMERS 4 recently:
“We’re going to start off smaller. There’s a brand new cast. To freshen the franchise we’ve redesigned everything from top to bottom. The history of the first three movies is still there, we start four years later and there’s a reason why we’re meeting a new cast.

Mark is really excited about it and it’s a great redesign. I said that 3 was going to be my last one. Paramount was letting me do PAIN AND GAIN and the Transformers ride was opening at Universal and it was bittersweet to think of passing it off. I wanted to set it up on a really sure footing and to bring someone else in on that, it would have been overwhelming.

We keep the Transformers the way they were, it’s just four years later. There’s a reason the Transformers are redesigned. We’re trying to broaden the franchise and give it more places to go.”

Sounds great to me. I'm all for the continuation of such a visually rich franchise with some fresh content brought in. I'd like to see some solid storytelling in there too of course.

Source: Forbes via Collider

Mark Wahlberg Looking Solid For TRANSFORMERS 4

A while ago, Michael Bay quickly dismissed rumors about Mark Wahlberg being considered for TRANSFORMERS 4 but apparently those very same rumors got Michael Bay thinking about actually using Wahlberg for the the movie.

That, or the original rumors were true. Doesn't really matter though - the end result is that Bay is indeed thinking very seriously about Wahlberg and it looks like it will happen.

Hit the jump to read what Bay had to say on the matter:


"I squashed a rumor that was on the internet last week. It was about Mark Walhberg. Mark was rumored to be staring in Transformers 4. We are working on another movie together, not T4. I had such a great time working with Mark on Pain and Gain, and he gave such a great performance – well let’s say that very internet chatter gave me some ideas. We are at the inception of our story process right now on T4. Let’s say some ideas are gaining traction with me and my writer – so I’m here to say thanks internet chatter."

So yes it does look like this casting will happen. I have to say, I like it. Wahlberg brings an entirely new dimension to the franchise and hopefully they can feed off of his innate acting realism.

Then, again - maybe Mark will be so upset that Michael can't spell his last name he won't sign on... :-)

TRANSFORMERS 4 is slated for a June 29, 2014 release.

Sources: CBM | MichaelBay

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

Click to enlarge

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

Update On What We Know About Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS 4

Michael Bay finally got to complete his "small" film PAIN AND GAIN after years of trying to get it done and now is transitioning back to what I like to call "BLOCKBUSTING".

TRANSFORMERS 4 has been moved to Bay's front burner and getting full energy from his production company. He recently spoke out about the movie and what to expect, namely: It WILL NOT be a reboot...

It’s not a reboot, that’s maybe the wrong word. I don’t want to say reboot because then people will think we’re doing a Spider-Man and starting from the beginning. We’re not. We’re taking the story that you’ve seen — the story we’ve told in three movies already — and we’re taking it in a new direction. But we’re leaving those three as the history. It all still counts. I met with the writer before I went off to do ‘Pain and Gain’ and we talked about a bunch of ideas. We let that simmer for a bit. He’s been thinking about stuff and now we’re getting back together next week to see what we’ve got and to see if it gels.

So without as much of a human focused story, will the autobots be going to space?

I think so, yeah, a little. That feels like the way to go, doesn’t it? I want to go a little off but I don’t want to go too sci-fi. I still want to keep it grounded. That’s what works in these movies, that’s what makes it accessible.

It looks like TRANSFORMERS 4 will cost about $30m less than TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON so what does Bay have to say about budgeting?

Here’s the thing, it’s tough to find someone who’s done these kind of movies and to have the complication of creating the new stuff that needs to be in this movie – not just characters but a new type of action, I hope – and that’s a lot for someone new to bite off. And so after this one I will leave it in the best hands possible. That’s the plan.

TRANSFORMERS 4 is slated for a June 2014 release with an entirely new cast. No word on whether TF4 will follow TF3's stereoscopic epicness, but one would certainly assume so.

Source: LATimes

Exclusive: TRANSFORMERS 3 Will Be Native 3D And An Update From PACE

We have already heard that there is a strong chance that Michael Bay is shooting TRANSFORMERS 3 in native 3D via Ridley Scott. Now we have exclusive information from a person very much in the know that it is in fact happening.

...As I said in the last post, I have recently spoken with Vince Pace who is of course very well known in 3D circles.

Here is what Vince had to say about his current projects:
"Trying to lay low and do what I do best. We took delivery of the first Alexa cameras for Hugo and have 23 more on the way. Transformers has also signed on to shoot 3D throughout the film. I am working on a big Disney film but can’t mention the name and are lining up five more films. Just wrapped on additional photography for Resident Evil and Tron. Currently in Hawaii and flying out to London for Hugo."

Perfect! I can't wait to see the 3D visuals from TRANSFORMERS 3. And the unnamed Disney movie shooting in Hawaii? I would place my bets on PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES wouldn't you?

Ridley Scott On 3D Conversion And Michael Bay

I have to say Quint over at AICN got some very interesting 3D news out of Sir Ridley Scott in a short 6 minutes about his upcoming prequel to ALIEN. My hat goes off to him! :-)

As you know, Scott is shooting his ALIEN prequels in native 3D.

So lets go into the details from the interview. Ridley Scott is an advocate of 3D conversion - good conversion obviously. Scott says: "I’ve heard now that audiences object if it’s not purely 3D, if it’s 2D to 3D. I could show you 2D to 3D and you wouldn’t know the difference. But when they’re told it’s 2D to 3D they say, “Fuck that, man! I’m paying another four dollars…” It’s about money, of course, but you’re still paying for the effect. Really, it’s very close. 2D to 3D is awfully close."

Quint is NOT speaking for all of us though, when he tells Scott that there are technical limitations of filming a movie in 3D - specifically lighting. Scott's reply? Hogwash. And it is true. If you tackle it correctly (as Scott is doing - he will be capturing as much digital information as possible and tackling lighting in post), then you have nothing to fear.

Here is some more good news from Scott: Michael Bay is indeed shooting TRANSFORMERS 3 in native 3D! Here is his comment which I construe as being that Bay is filming in native: "I was told it was going to slow us down… it didn’t slow (Michael) Bay down. Bay is moving like lightning. Once he realized, “Oh, Jesus… there’s no difference, really. Except I’m adding dimension.”

Personally I would have asked about the cameras Scott is using and what stereoscopic team, if any, is he bringing on board to assist, etc. But hey, it wasn't my interview. Glad he got in what he got in.

It Is Official: TRANSFORMERS 3 Will Be 3D!!

Michael Bay may have been against 3D. He still may be against 3D. But his TRANSFORMERS 3 finale WILL be in 3D! Bay himself confirmed that nugget of information to USAToday.

Bay has had a long standing tradition of bashing 3D, but you know what? I think it was all just show. I think as a filmmaker he wants to be cutting edge - his films certainly give that aura. So naturally he will eventually come over to stereoscopic 3D. And he has.

So the big question is: 2D to 3D conversion or native 3D? Does Bay have the guts to shoot in native 3D after all he has said, or will he hand over the reins of his movie to a conversion shop? Time will tell, but my instinct says he will go native 3D. We'll see!

Apparently the movie's storyline involves the US - USSR space race. Interesting.

Bay is quite certain that this pic will be the last: "As a trilogy, it really ends," he says. "It could be rebooted again, but I think it has a really killer ending."

On the box office side, LOOK OUT. This is a franchise finale movie and the first two have done exceptionally well ($709m and $836m worldwide). Add on the 3D premium and guess what? You have the makings of a billion dollar movie and potentially the power to move to third place all-time. Megan Fox or not. More when I get it...

Michael Bay is Not Impressed By 3D Conversion Tests of Transformers Films

Michael here. It seems like Michael Bay is against the idea of converting Tranformers 3 to 3D, and James Cameron is also speaking out against quick conversion jobs.

Check out the below quote from Bay, From Deadline.com:

I shoot complicated stuff, I put real elements into action scenes and honestly, I am not sold right now on the conversion process.... Right now, it looks like fake 3-D, with layers that are very apparent. You go to the screening room, you are hoping to be thrilled, and you're thinking, huh, this kind of sucks. People can say what they want about my movies, but they are technically precise, and if this isn't going to be excellent, I don't want to do it. And it is my choice.... I'm used to having the A-team working on my films, and I'm going to hand it over to the D-team, have it shipped to India and hope for the best? This conversion process is always going to be inferior to shooting in real 3-D. Studios might be willing to sacrifice the look and use the gimmick to make $3 more a ticket, but I'm not. Avatar took four years. You can’t just shit out a 3D movie. I’m saying, the jury is still out.”

And Cameron says: (also from Deadline)

After Toy Story, there were 10 really bad CG movies because everybody thought the success of that film was CG and not great characters that were beautifully designed and heartwarming. Now, you’ve got people quickly converting movies from 2D to 3D, which is not what we did. They’re expecting the same result, when in fact they will probably work against the adoption of 3D because they’ll be putting out an inferior product.

I love how Bay is never afraid to speak his mind about what he thinks is best for his movies. And I agree with Cameron that studios are taking the wrong message from the success of Avatar: Conversions, if they aren't going to harm S3D in the long run, need to be of a high quality.

Of course, my real hope is that we see more films shot natively in 3D. I know Bay says his shooting style is too aggressive for 3D cameras and that, according to Deadline, he found them too heavy and cumbersome for the fast pace action scenes he shoots. However, I think he could definitely find a way to make it work. Look what Nolan did with those huge IMAX cameras on The Dark Knight.

Michael Bay Actively Testing TRANSFORMERS For S3D!!

Jim here. Michael Bay is singing a different tune these days as the AVATAR effect is rebounding off of all major tentpoles the studios are involved in.

If you will remember, Bay had originally told me that 3D was a fad and he thought that he shot too aggressively for 3D. Well he is revisiting that statement right now under what is sure to be studio pressure. It definitely seems he is leaning toward a 3D conversion though.

MTV recently got some comments from Bay on what he has been up to with the franchise and this is what he said about 3D: "It's a process we're testing with some 'Transformers' scenes," he said. "How successful it is with my movie in terms of a lot of real stuff coming out of the frame, real dirt, real complicated little particles coming towards the lens, because hopefully that process will work. I've seen some tests that look great on other movies. I just want to see how it looks on my footage."

We all know that TRANSFORMERS 3 will be in stereoscopic 3D. It really is a moot point by now. Imagine the smiles when you tack on the 3D premium for the already established franchise! Imagine the smiles on us when we see the action in 3D too. :-) It sure isn't about the plot now is it?