GeekSugar

James Cameron Gets Creative With Tech to Promote Avatar

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:05:30 -0800

Augmented reality seems to be the next big thing on the tech horizon - already new apps and even umbrellas are using the technology - and it doesn't seem to be in short supply either. Just after we learned that Esquire will be using augmented reality in their upcoming issue, I realized that James Cameron has also harnessed the feature to promote his next big blockbuster. Every time you buy an Avatar product - whether it be an action figure or a branded can of Coke - you can use your webcam to have some fun with 3D right in your home. Just hold the product up to your webcam, and you'll see a interactive 3D character on your screen. Sure, you can't do much with a 3D character, but it might make me pick up a can of soda next time I hit the convenience store!

In addition, the latest three minute Avatar trailer was released over the weekend to the "world's largest trailer-viewing audience", proving that Mr. Cameron is willing to use a pretty big bag of tech tricks to get our butts in the theater next month!

Website of the Day: I Am Unique

GeekSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:40:45 -0700

Get your 3D dreams made into a reality: the new website I Am Unique takes not just your photo, but your digital life, and provides you with a 3D image of you.

I used only a picture to start out with, and had way too much fun just looking at my image and rotating it and manipulating it from the site. But that's just the beginning - add your Twitter, Facebook, and Last FM accounts to add extra dimension to your 3D "portrait," then share it with friends and on those pages. After all, I heard from a reliable source that 3D is still cool.

To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Capture 3D iPhone Photos With TwinShot 3D

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:35:01 -0700

Still think 3D is cool? Then you'll definitely like this iPhone app, TwinShot 3D, which uses your iPhone's camera to shoot your photos in 3D.

TwinShot is $2, and apparently has you take two shots, then mixes it into the final 3D version.

This also means you'll need some hot 3D glasses to see the image in 3D afterward, or you can just admire the distorted-color photo - which I actually personally enjoy. Now stop staring at the picture before you get a 3D hangover!

Is 3D Still Cool?

GeekSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:30:58 -0700

Even though 3D is popping up everywhere - from the Jonas Brothers to Monsters vs. Aliens - you have to think: is 3D really that cool? An article from Slate conjectures that it's actually not - even reducing it simply to "It hurts your eyes. Always has, always will."

Thinking about it, it's not the same kind of technological advancement on par with high definition. It's kinda fun, but I also remember how cool I thought the 3D Captain Eo was at Disneyland in the '80s. . . and it's like, we're still jazzed on the same thing?

What do you think? Should filmmakers keep integrating it into movies and "experiences," or is it a novelty that's coming to an end?

Source

Wondercon 2009: Pixar's Up!

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:33:54 -0800

I look forward to Wondercon all year, mostly because it's in my hometown so I don't have to worry about flying, hotels, and cabs, but also because I get to check out tons of upcoming movies. Day two of Wondercon was packed (and I mean packed) with geeky and celebrity goodness. There's a lot to cover, but first up, is Up! We got a sneak peek at Pixar's newest film at the Up panel, plus I got to chat with director Pete Doctor and producer Jonas Rivera about the movie, and check out an exclusive screening of the first 45 minutes of the film.

Up (which is coming out in 3D this May) is about a 78 year-old man who attaches a ton of helium-filled balloons to his house in order to float his way to South America. Up also stars an eight-year-old "Wilderness Explorer," a few hilarious dogs, and a really big bird. But by far the star of the film is the animation! To hear what the guys had to say about working in 3D versus 2D, and hear about some hidden tidbits you'll find in the film, just read more.

Jonas Rivera on developing a 3D movie: There's really no difference in how we animate a 3D movie than when we animate a 2D movie. From day one, our software allows us to animate in 3D, it's just that we're now projecting in 3D.

Pete Doctor on finding "Easter Eggs" in each of the Pixar films: There are objects that you'll find in each of our films, like the Pizza Planet truck has been in just about all of the movies, other things like the yellow ball with the star - you just gotta keep your eyes open and you'll start to recognize them.

On how they come up with movie ideas:
PD: To be honest, every one of them was totally different. Like for Monsters Inc. I literally thought of the concept in the shower, although it totally changed from there. And Up was almost like an intellectual exercise at some point, kind of constructing what made the old man who he is, making it an intriguing idea. They are all different, and I think that's the key to the success of the films is that there are no rules.
JR: The only commonality is that Pixar supports - there's a development department that, you know, when the director's done, you have an environment that supports and nurtures the development of an idea.

Check out the trailer here, and then tell me: are you excited to see Pixar's latest creation?

Watch the Monsters vs. Aliens Trailer in 3D During Super Bowl Sunday

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:00:57 -0800

I recently attended a Special 3D Footage Presentation here in San Francisco where DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg, chatted about his latest film - Monsters vs. Aliens. He also gave us an early sneak peek of some clips from the movie, which is the first of its kind to feature Intel InTru state-of-the-art 3D technology (it will also be available in 2D). Set to make its nationwide debut March 27, this fun-filled, brilliant film will show off its 3D trailer, right before the Super Bowl halftime show this Sunday.

The one minute commercial is one of the highly-anticipated commercials to be shown during the Super Bowl, as viewers are encouraged to pick up a pair of 3D glasses at one of the 25,000 SoBe Lifewater retail displays in grocery, drug and other retail venues. And you can even reuse your glasses for the 3D episode of Chuck airing on Monday!

Movie Theaters Going Digital So You Can Watch in 3D

GeekSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:40:29 -0700

It sounds like your TV isn't the only thing that's being permanently upgraded to digital - movie theaters will also be getting the digital conversion treatment!

Five Hollywood studios are going to help pay the bill to outfit theaters with digital equipment, which will cost over 1 billion dollars and convert about 20,000 movie screens.

What do we get besides crisp, clear images? 3D access, baby! There's at least one Jonas Brothers concert lined up in 3D so you better get your glasses on.

Source

Björk Gets Wired With Wanderlust in 3-D

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:10:00 -0700

Wired got the 3-D premiere of Björk's new video for "Wanderlust," directed by geek impresarios Encyclopedia Pictura. I love that this premiere is a Wired.com event rather than say, an MTV.com event. Seeing the video, you'll understand why - those 3D glasses are necessary! Well, they're an enhancement, at least (and Wired provides a handy tutorial on DIY 3-D glasses).

If you know and love Björk then you know what to expect - meaning you have no idea what to expect. For the 3-D version, click here. To see the 2-D version of the video (no glasses required), click here.

More 3-D Technology Movies Hitting the Big Screen

GeekSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:52:08 -0700

Get ready for some serious 3-D movie action in the next few years as filmmakers and studios ramp up production of 3-D films. Why is everyone jumping on board? Major movie production companies are hoping that 3D movies will increase attendance by drawing more people to movie theaters, and therefore boost ticket sales, which have steadily been decreasing.

Disney and Pixar have already announced that they will release all of their movies in 3-D and Monsters vs. Aliens will be the first movie produced by Dreamworks Animation that will be in 3-D. Already, big film producers like James Cameron and George Lucas are working on 3-D films including Avatar and a new and improved 3-D Star Wars, how great is that?! And the best part? This 3-D enhancement doesn't require wearing funny red and blue special glasses!

Photo courtesy of DreamWorks.

Live With Regis and Kelly Goes 3D for Halloween

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:00:47 -0700

On October 31st, Regis and Kelly will be taking their Halloween spirit to a whole new geeky level-by hosting Live in 3D! Walgreens stores across the country will be offering free 3D glasses at the photo counter so we can all take part in the 3D action and geek out during one of our favorite morning shows. Approximately five million pairs will be given out -sorry only one per person. Watching Live's 3D Halloween Spectacular in three dimensions should be quite interesting-I can't say I've sported red and blue lens glasses for any other show before! I hope this new format doesn't interfere with all the fabulous costume changes-how awesome was it when Gelman dressed up as Britney, snake and all?!

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