The Stereoscopic Digital Intermediate Process: Post-Production

Abstract

The intention of the stereoscopic digital intermediate (DI) process to date has been to make the best color and contrast choices to accommodate lower screen illumination levels of 3-D projection systems. Traditionally, the DI phase of 3-D production has employed 2-D techniques to correct the individual image sequences representing the left and right eyes. The process has required treatment of the 3-D film as two separate 2-D sequences without regard to stereoscopic issues. Each eye is corrected to match the 2-D version of the film in separate passes, then a global correction is applied to both eyes to compensate for the loss in light level in projection, and finally, individual shot and scene corrections are made as needed. This methodology, while accomplishing the task, is cumbersome and time-consuming at a phase in a film's production schedule when time is of the essence. The ability to make corrections and see the results in realtime has not been possible until recently. With the resurgence of stereoscopic 3-D cinema, the film post-production community is experiencing a renaissance in the development of 3-D tools.