Press release from Fujifilm
Fujifilm Australia has secured an exclusive distribution agreement with Technicolor to represent their unique Technicolor 3D 35mm 3D solution throughout Australia and New Zealand. Technicolor 3D will be sold and marketed by Fujifilm’s partner in motion picture sales, Awesome Support, across Australia and New Zealand.
Fujifilm Australia General Manager Recording Media / Motion Picture Film Marc Van Agten said, “Put simply Technicolor 3D is the ideal interim solution for independent distributors, cinema owners and exhibitors who want to increase their 3D capacity in an affordable and efficient manner and without spending the kind of money that a full digital 3D conversion requires.”
Technicolor 3D employs a proprietary “production to projection” system that leverages 35mm film projectors in use today by the majority of international theatres to deliver a high-quality 3D presentation to moviegoers. A lens system splits the left and right eye images as the film runs through the projector and delivers a 3D-ready image onto a silver screen. The solution works with circular polarized glasses—identical to the ones used for existing digital 3D cinema—to “translate” the film’s content into an image that is perceived by the viewer as being three-dimensional. The silver screen can be used for the projection of both Technicolor 3D as well as digital 3D content.
Head of Technicolor Asia's 3D sales and marketing team Tim Meade said, "We are delighted to have Fujifilm and Awesome Support so committed to bringing Technicolor 3D to Australia and New Zealand. Technicolor 3D bridges the gap to full digital deployment with a quality solution. Exhibitors need a low cost of entry to increase 3D projector capacity in order to maximise interest in the upcoming 3D product slate."
Fourteen blockbuster 3D releases are planned for release in Australia this year including Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Drive Angry 3D, Thor, Kung Fu Panda, Green Lantern, Transformers 3, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Spy Kids 4, Conan 3D, Final Destination 5, Journey to the Centre of the Earth 2, Dolphin Tale, Puss in Boots, Immortals and Happy Feet 2.
Awesome Support’s Geoff Hannigan added, “Technicolor 3D is currently installed on more than 500 screens worldwide and has recently launched internationally in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Technicolor 3D also has major studio support with the backing of DreamWorks Animation, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. and The Weinstein Company so it is an ideal lower cost solution for independent cinema operators across Australia and New Zealand.”
Fujifilm Australia General Manager Recording Media / Motion Picture Film Marc Van Agten concluded, “The first Technicolor 3D system will be installed in an independent cinema in NSW in the near future. With the amount of interest this system has already generated more are expected to follow very soon indeed.”