Four Corners Offers Highly-Subsidised Training in 3D Camera Skills

Four Corners’ 3D for Camera Professionals: creative and practical skills, offers an intensive, 3-day training course for camera professionals, highly subsidized by Creative Skillset, the Creative Industries’ Sector Skills Council. Each place is worth over £3,000, offered for £330 plus VAT.

The course covers 3D theory, practical hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, 3D motion control and DIT issues. Applications are welcomed from camera department professionals with significant experience in feature film or documentary.

Introduction to 3D shooting
A 3-day practical course for eight people. Suitable for experienced camera crew (DOPs, focus pullers) who wish to become stereo technicians or stereographers, familiarise themselves with 3D rigs and cameras, or increase their knowledge of techniques and processes associated with shooting 3D.

Delivered by Four Corners, FAVA Rental Ltd and Shoot3D, the course provides a mixture of theory practical hands-on experience. Equipment used will be up-to-date 3D equipment used by feature film crews. The cameras will be primarily EPICs, but Arri Alexas and RED One will be covered.

Tutors: Reg Sanders (Shoot 3D - Stereographer), Tom English (steadicam 3D operator), Joe Steel (3D specialist DIT)

Aims of the course
The course aim is to provide a thorough overview of 3D techniques and processes, with practical sessions covering set-up of 3D rigs, camera set-ups and moving the camera in variety of lighting conditions. Offering extensive hands-on access to equipment, with examination of a recent 3D shoot as a case study.

Course outline

Day 1
am
Introduction to 3D – overview
- 3D as a tool for storytelling. Theory of 3D and an exploration of the concepts that underpin stereography, spatial awareness, interocular distance.
- Limitations and problems of the 3D shoot. Jargon busting and concepts explained.
- Health and safety on set with large camera rigs, potential problems.

pm
Introduction to 3D technologies
- The hardware, and how it fits together, covering: Two separate 3D rigs (Cmotion ScreenPlane and P+S Technik Freestyle);
- Lens control (Cmotion)
- Lenses (sets of matched primes and 2 x matched zoom lenses
- Monitoring: 3D transvideo monitor and polarised 42” 3D monitor
- Batteries and power;
- 2 x RED Epics OR Arri Alexas

Day 2
Planning and setting up the shot
- Planning and previsualisation;
- Depth mapping;
- Setting interocular distance;
- Monitoring output;
- Using tools to check shot;
- Genlock and synch issues.
- Practical: camera set-up and monitoring.

Day 3
Moving the camera
- Motion control; Lens control; using a 3D rig on a Steadicam.
- Practical: shooting exercises to explore shooting 3D using a variety of set-ups and lighting conditions.
DIT issues and workflow
- Looking after output from 2 cameras, and correct labelling. Thinking ahead to post.
Case study & the future of 3D
- Presentation and discussion of a recent 3D shoot.

Timetable
Course 1: Monday 11th - Wednesday 13th June 2012, 10.00am-5.00pm
Course 2: Monday 1st - Wednesday 3rd October 2012, 10.00am-5.00pm