Beamsplitter and Side-by-Side Stereographic 3D Rigs
Excerpt from ICG Magazine:
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Understanding that the choices for renting 3D gear are often expensive and include prototype equipment, specialized crews and a rigid post path, Element Technica has created a more sophisticated set of 3D tools that are, "as simple to use as most modern 2D camera systems," explains Stephen Pizzo who with partner Hector Ortega are co-founders of the Los Angeles-based company. "We want to make it possible for any filmmaker to create 3D content using their regular 2D crew."
The firm has built both beamsplitter and side-by-side configured camera platforms to accommodate cameras from the miniscule Iconix or S1-2K to full-sized digital imagers like the RED or Sony 1500s. These systems represent the first of a new generation of 3D imaging tools with fully embedded control electronics. Most systems will accommodate zoom lenses and offer synchronous control of focus, iris and zoom with the embedded electronics. The beamsplitter and side-by-side systems share the same basic mechanism and electronics for intraocular and convergence as well as the same user interface. Element Technica is developing a series of intuitive hardware/software tools to automate stereo calculation. These tools, available as add-in modules for the core systems, enable the director or DP to intuitively control how much or how little the subject comes off of the screen without requiring complex IO and convergence calculation techniques.
During work with cinematographer Geoff Boyle on Dark Country, the company developed a completely new mechanical arrangement for the cameras that allowed them "to lose 50 percent of the mass and almost 40 percent of the volume," Pizzo explains. "Production was able to squeeze the rig into the Alien Revolution and place it on a Steadicam. The basic mechanical structure turned out to be scalable and became the basic design for all of our beamsplitter rigs for everything from the Iconix on up to full-size cameras like RED."