P3D Re: Re Stereo Window Demo, LLL for DDD

[Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

Rick Inzero wrote:
> 
> Hi, Larry-
> 
> Feel free to fwd this to p3D if you want; I can't post there
> using this email address.
> 
> You wrote in p3d-
> 
> >I can imagine that demonstrating the stereo window with a slide
> >projector is quite difficult!
> 
> Nope, it's even easier than in a viewer.  At least on a TDC it is.
> Simply put a normal slide in, then while it's being projected, adjust the
> horizontal lens separation control of the projector.
> This is suggested as a projectionist gag in the 1954 book
> "Three Dimensional Projection" by Earl Krause.  The gag is you can make
> something (like a cannon barrel) actively move out from behind the window
> and come toward the audience by doing this.
> 
> ---
> Rick Inzero
> Nortel Networks, Inc.
> Rochester, NY                                   rdi@xxxxxxx


Thanks Rick for the tip. I'm posting it to the group. That's an
interesting suggestion. With a little creativity one could engineer an
entire sequence designed around combining dissolves with spatial
displacement in some direction. Oh, for the pranksters out there, take
the audience for a ride on a tug boat in choppy water... Start looking
over the prow as it exchanges places with the horizon, then approach the
railing and gradually look down towards the approaching and receding
water shapes...(better supply air sickness bags!)

I guess for something like that you'd need a motor driven displacement
mechanism that could be controlled in sequence without disturbing the
machine or requiring nimble fingers. 

Imagine that... If someone does make this little joke, I'd love to hear
about it! I guess one doesn't need hydraulic driven chairs, just motor
driven image displacement. The trick is to get the viewer involved in
the imagery then draw them into the action in a manner that feels
natural. Once the audience is swaying with you, you can amplify the
effect or reach a punch line...

Here's another one. This is for those who might use stereo video cam
helmets... Shoot the view as a snowboarder goes up a mound of snow and
into the air. Have the 'pilot' run his glance down to see the surface
drop away to dizzying heights in split seconds. Of course for the slide
show, you have to select and capture your video frames and convert them
to slides. Then arrange to sequence the projector lenses so the audience
feels they've levitated over the chair in front of them... Might get
funny. In the audience I mean. :-)

Oh, for those without videos, get your motor driven stereo camera and
make numerous runs over the same jump. Then select the best sequencing
out of the many possibilities. The slight displacement of pathway for
each run, when sequenced together on a common time line, would cause
reality to jig and jog small amounts. The references would be the same,
but they would relocate relationships moment by moment using a fast
fade. Items that are different, like flying snow, would magically appear
and disappear in a random pattern. I want to see this one. Any of you
live near the X games? What a way to sell stereo 3D to the younger
crowd. They would eat it up. That's an excitement driven crowd and this
would capture the emotional essence of the excitement as no 2D image
could manage.

There are two levels to this opportunity. One is the idea of many
volunteers shooting actual stereo video during the action, which for
viewing would require special glasses in a theater like environment. But
the facilities at these things love having 'interest gimmicks' (pardon
the terminology) around the bar area where they do the interviews and
stuff. This would be audience (made up of athletes) participation 100%.
Shoot it today, watch them tonight. They get to share their experiences,
which is what they are there to do anyway. 

The second level is the artistic presentations, done with professional
care to optimize the visuals and work the effects machine like a
consumate chef. Maybe use a remote control so the 'pilot' gets to run
the spatial adjustment aspect as the event plays. Make 'em -feel- the
branch slap their face. Arrange to toss snowballs as the branch strikes.
Together the (art/open) modes would reinforce an introduction to and
foster a developing interest for stereo visualizing!

Enjoy,
-- 
Larry Berlin

3D Webscapes
lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
http://3dzine.simplenet.com
*-) ---> :-) ---> 8-) ---> 8-O