P3D Re: 3D Expo II has returned!!

[Joel Alpers <joel.alpers@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dr. George A. Themelis wrote:
> 
> Great!!!
> 
> Does anyone remember how long it has been?  I think 2.5 years.
> What did we learn from this experiment?  Anyone willing to
> manage an Expo III?
> 
> George Themelis
> 
> PS. For the newer members of the list, we (photo-3d members) put
>     together stereo images of all formats in a big box and circulated
>     it around the globe.  A good way to see a variety of stereo images
>     without belonging to a more formal group.


Additional note: 
================
There were 40-odd entrants, each contributing up to 5
stereo images, in virtually any format (View Master, Realist, twin
35mm, lenticular, anaglyph, Holmes card, View Magic, and probably
one or two I've forgotten). The expo box contained viewers for all
formats).
================

Well, I've done my own personal postmortem. Here's some comments,
from an organizer's perspective:


It was just too darned ambitious! In my 20/20 hindsight, it
tried to be everything to everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed
viewing it, but I would --never-- organize it exactly the
same way again. If I were to do a future one (and believe me,
anyone else is welcome to do one of these, I'll give you the
benefit of my experiences!) I think it would have to be limited
to something on the order of 15 people. I would do something like:

1. 15 people maximum
2. Keep it on one continent. There were some very nice entries
   from our friends in the U.K. and Europe, but it added too much
   loop time. I would, for example, do a North America Expo and 
   depend on someone else to do a European one.
3. Restrict the number of formats. Do multiple folios for those
   wishing to do prints vs. slides (very few people crossed that
   boundary in their submissions, for example).  If you did this
   you wouldn't need to include viewers, and the package would
   get very small, light, and much more manageable.
4. Should target 6 months maximum, and size it for that goal.
   If you assume 1 week each place, and .5 week shipping,
   that means about 17 stops TOPS. That doesn't allow for
   any problems (there will always be some). So maybe the 15
   is a good number.

IMHO the sheer size and number of images to look at created 
virtually all the problems. It took most people longer than
the week planned to view it. It was really too big to comment on
each view (kudos to those who managed it). 


Now, so I don't sound entirely negative  ;)  there were some
plusses!

1. It was fantastic. There were images in there that I can
   still see in my mind, and will never forget!
2. It was a GREAT way for a beginner (or even someone who's been
   doing 3D for a while!) to see a ton of different formats.
3. In many cases, IMHO, the "viewing groups" gave an opportunity
   to meet 3D enthusiasts in your area that you might not have
   met. We can all use that in a hobby that far too often people
   practice in isolation, because they don't know of anyone else
   near them doing it.

I'm still a fan of the "Expo" concept!!! Just not so *@#$& big!


Joel.

P.S. I'll do my best to follow this discussion, but things are
---REALLY--- busy right now, so if you have a reply you'd like
me to see, would you please CC: me on your posting? Thanks!


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