This 3D article makes me sound sooo gay

While I am busy preparing the 2K Keynote for this weeks Cinema India Expo, digital 3D intrudes in the form of AccessIT's latest announcement and an article that quotes me about the prospects of 3D for India's digital cinema. AccessIT first.

Almost a year ago at IBC I met with representatives of International Datacasting Corp. and Sensio, showcasing a product for Live 3D, whose USP was that it could be sent down a single HDTV channel. I knew that they had a winner on their hands, so it is no surprise that their technology will be implemented by AccessIT in their digital cinema network. from the press release:

Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. ("AccessIT") (NASDAQ:AIXD) announced today, its plans for the installation of 150 of its leading edge CineLiveSM product in key markets throughout the United States. The technology, which enables the live broadcast to movie theatres of both 2-D and 3-D events such as sports and concerts, will be added to those theaters that are part of AccessIT’s satellite network, all of which are part of the company’s completed 3700 plus screen Phase 1 digital cinema deployment plan. Installations of CineLive will begin immediately in 50 sites and are anticipated to expand to at least 150 by the end of 2008.

The releases will be handled by AIX's alternative content division the Bigger Picture. Carolyn Giardina's take in THR.com is that, "The move underscores a growing interest in this alternative content possibility," and that , "Deployment is set to begin immediately on the first 50 CineLive systems, which will include installation in key markets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Access IT expects to have at least 150 in place by year's end."

The news brought a smidgen of cheer to AIX's share price, which came dangerously close to touching $2.00 last week, before climbing up to $2.37 in current trading.

Meanwhile 3D fever is spreading to India as well, ahead of talks about it in this week's Cinema India Expo 2008, where I will be presenting a Keynote on 2K Digital Cinema in India. DNA ran a story headlined 'Cricket cheerleaders in 3D? Possible…' that actually pre-empted the AIX announcement. (For those who wonder what 'Cricket cheerleaders' look like, they are American Football cheerleaders flown in for the IPL tournament):

Multiplexes are gearing up for their next leg of digitisation that may see 5,000 3D digital projections being installed by 2009. This means by next year, live-action screenings in multiplexes like IPL matches will promise an altogether new experience for viewers — by taking them as close to the action as is virtually possible.

This will also mean that those live-actions screenings that are hugely popular overseas, such as the U2 Live Latin American concert, may now also enter Indian multiplexes.

Currently, there's only one theatre in the country — Satyam Cinemas in Chennai — that has a 3D cinema or stereoscopic digital cinema projection in place. But by next year, most premier digital cinema chains like Adlabs and PVR will have 3D digital projections installed. Both the companies are currently in talks with digital cinema infrastructure providers like Real Image Technologies for 3D cinema systems.

I got interviewed for the article and got quoted towards the end about the prospects for 3D film productions in India:

No major 3D productions have been announced from India yet. However, Patrick von Sychowski, COO, Adlabs Digital Cinemas, says within the next 1-2 years "there should be some announcements on that front."

When asked if Reliance Big Entertainment has any plans to produce 3D feature films, Sychowski said, "Reliance has been the front-runner in a number of initiatives, so you never know."

Adlabs is part of Reliance ADAG, which acquired Hollywood-based DTS Digital Images, a company that industry observers say will help Reliance Big Entertainment supply technology solutions to the rapidly growing 3D content market.

Then comes the bit where the writer took some creative freedoms in interpreting my comments:

Sychowski said live action 3D films were "about a year or two" away for India and digital animation possibilities in 3D, seem more likely to be exploited. "Shooting in 3D requires two cameras held in close proximity, therefore making it more difficult to shoot SRK's six pack."

I had said that it was more difficult to "shoot Shahrukh Khan" but nothing about his six pack. Seriously. If that had been on my mind it would have been something about the ample charms of Preity Zinta, Bebo or, hell, even Rakhi Savant for that matter.

But I do think that 3D film making will have a considerable impact in India very soon. More about that and 2K at Cinema India Expo. I will post an update after the conference.