Technica 3D Quasar Chosen for Napoleon Kaput

“We started looking for rigs at NAB 2010, with the idea of using a 3D rig on Steadicam,” says Hartowicz. “When we did tests, the 3D set up of the Steadicam and RED MX camera was difficult to keep aligned. So, we started looking for rigs that were stronger.

“Element Technica’s Quasar became the right choice,” he adds. “It’s a solid rig that we could attach to a Super Technocrane, allowing us to create movement, which I think is very important in 3D.” The production company behind the period comedy purchased two Quasar rigs from Los Angeles-based Element Technica, shipping them to the Ukraine for preproduction prep.

“The Quasar was exactly what we needed,” says Hartowicz. “The combination of the RED MX, the Quasar Beamsplitter Rig and the Super Technocrane with the Flight Head is allowing us to capture great locations and colorful costumes with very smooth shots. The camera alignment is perfect and we are getting great 3D quality. We recently screened some of the footage from the first two weeks (of a 12 week shoot) in a 3D theater and the producers were impressed with the images.”

The Technica 3D Quasar mounts full-sized and fully equipped digital cinematography cameras in stereoscopic pair configuration. Quasar 3D rigs have been quickly adopted by the 3D production world due to the many benefits they offer the stereographer including precision control, ease of configuration, and the rigs’ ability to shoot in either the side-by-side or beamsplitter mode. The Quasar can be completely set up in under a half hour, and converted from side-by-side to beamsplitter mode in less than 10 minutes.

Napoleon Kaput is shooting on location in the Ukraine through the last few months of 2010. The picture is slated for release sometime in 2011.