P3D Cardboarding and me

[Tony Alderson <aifxtony@xxxxxxx>]

I gotta tell ya, 'cardboarding' has a lot to do with my interest in
stereoscopy.

Like many of us, my first introduction to stereo imaging was the
Viewmaster. But there are two images that stand out vividly in my
memory. One is of a fully dressed out Lakota chief, looking over the
Black Hills. It was on a sampler reel, as I recall, and cardboarded like
crazy. The other is from the "Alice in Wonderland" clay reels (which I
still have), of Alice falling down the rabbit hole, and her head is
stretched like a gooseneck. I loved 'em both.

Of course I knew even then this was a "mistake." But a mistake with
potential! Because it showed me something I hadn't imagined: image is
illusion, and vision is plastic. Perception can be manipulated!

Like Jean Hagen's character in "Singing in the Rain," after the preview
bombs:

"I liked it!"

Now I'll agree, sometimes cardboarding is an error. Sometimes it's
unavoidable. Sometimes it's just cheap. Sometimes it's what 3D is all
about.

It takes all kinds...

Tony Alderson