The Hobbit iOS App Released + Hints at Trailer #2

Tim here, with an update from Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. Yesterday they released a new App for iOS devices, and it is really cool. You can preview and follow a link to iTunes here.

App Store Description:
Explore Middle-Earth and experience the epic adventure of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with the official iOS app. Learn about Bilbo Baggins’ quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor and the band of thirteen dwarves that join him and Gandalf the Grey as they embark across the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain through exclusive artwork, interactive character galleries, and production videos presented by director Peter Jackson.

View a selection of animated character portraits, travel through a detailed map of Middle-earth and explore the stunning narrative imagery of “The Scroll” artwork to immerse yourself in the world of Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, deadly Wargs, giant Spiders and fearsome Dragons.

Features included in the app:

Interactive Map of Middle-Earth

360º views of scenic locations and settings

“The Scroll”, a narrative art piece

Animated lenticular character portraits

Peter Jackson’s Production Journals

Character image galleries and bios

Downloads for iPad, iPhone, and Facebook

Social integration with Facebook and Twitter

It's so amazing you have to play with it yourself to fully experience it. What's interesting is that as I'm writing a post about CSS3 and HTML5 this app comes out. The first thing you see is an animation of Gandalf with leaves falling in front of and behind him. This must have been done using CSS3. It would look amazing in stereo 3D!

In addition, based on the photo that The Hobbit Facebook page posted that I've included on the left: Hobbit Trailer #2 is only two weeks away! This is speculation and rumor, however we've known for a while that the next trailer was supposed to be coming at the beginning of fall, possibly in September. Hobbit Day is actually the birthday (September 22) of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, although in different years. Here's hoping that this photo is hinting at that glorious new trailer we've all been waiting for as a birthday gift to Bilbo and Frodo... my precious.

Go download the app and play with it. And look out for The Hobbit trailer that's supposed to come out this month. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters December 14, 2012.

RealD Releases An On-Set iPhone App For 3D Filmmakers

Jim here. RealD has released what seems to be a pretty useful tool for filmmakers wanting to jump into stereoscopic 3D. It is built for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and according to PR Newswire it will allow stereographers to save time and money by calculating parallax and separation in planning stereo 3D depth, optimal camera rig locations and lens configuration.

RealD Professional Stereo3D Calculator features include:
- Parallax - know the depth of a shot by seeing the actual positive and negative parallax values at any distance with the subject in focus.
- Separation - learn how various objects in each shot will affect the on-screen image quality based on separation and distance from the cameras (includes "Maximum Positive On-Screen Offset").
- Lens - determine the appropriate lens or zoom to achieve the desired 3D effect
- Shooting style - choose "Converged" or "Parallel" style to customize shots and plan post-production workflow.
- Camera Setup - set camera model, lens type and interaxial range; test real shots with interactive shot settings and quickly rearrange the setup real-time.
- Stereo Solver™ Mode gives the exact settings needed to accomplish any shot while ensuring far objects' parallax never goes over defined maximum on-screen offset.
- S3D Calculator Mode functions as a pure 3D reference calculator with interactive value tables.

"Shooting in 3D is an art form, one that can be challenging not only for novices but experienced professionals as well given the calculations needed to create an effective and comfortable 3D visual," said Joshua Greer, President of RealD. "This Calculator takes away the guesswork involved in shooting in 3D, helping ensure the best configured rigs are in place for each shot and maximizing on-set efficiency."

"With this app, a filmmaker can remain focused on creating powerful and compelling 3D instead of getting lost in the angles, geometry and optics behind it," added Ken Schafer, President and Lead Program Architect at Innoventive Software (FrameForge Previz Studio).

The app is called the "RealD Professional Stereo3D Calculator" and it is available from iTunes for $299.99.

Once I get some reviews on this new on-set application from my stereographer friends I will be sure to post them - or read the comments as they often will post their thoughts.