3D in two years’ time will be completely different – Geffen

In a Q&A session after a preview of forthcoming Attenborough 3D documentary Galapagos, series producer Anthony Geffen talked about pushing the boundaries of 3D.

Joining him on the panel was Head of Sky Factual, Celia Taylor who emphasised Sky’s commitment to the format, despite low 3D TV penetration: “We are about pushing the boundaries of technology. Sky is about making the best things for our customers…. You have to believe that what you are doing is worth doing and every time these guys pull it off and every time we are proud as punch that we have taken it seriously.”

Talking about the longevity of such high end 3D documentaries, Taylor said: “When customers get 3D they absolutely love it so it is very important for us for that reason. We have been really successful with these programmes because they are such good quality they have been able to have a theatrical life in them as well, released in giant screen cinemas and across America.  They have a long life, they play in museums, and IMAX screens for years. They are brilliant films that stand up to that longevity so we are every ambitious about this stuff."

Galapagos is the first venture from Colossus Productions – the joint production company between Sky and Atlantic Productions and there is lots more to follow according to Geffen: “Colossus will develop and invest in a series of very high end projects that we are really hoping will push the medium of 3D further on.” He continued: “Unlike HD where you do sort of get to a point technically where 'that is HD', the exciting thing about working in 3D over the last three years is 3D is changing; what we are able to show you, how far it can come out[of the screen], how it looks, so we are on this incredibly exciting journey where the 3D we are seeing now, in two years’ time will be completely different.”

Talking about the business model for today's 3D, Geffen told 3D Focus: "There are not lots of people watching 3D television so for a sound economic model we have to think of other ways of showing it. For example, Penguin King 3D will go into the cinemas in America in 2013, and all of them will go into IMAX.  2 million people went to see Flying Monsters 3D last year in 2011 in IMAX."

Preview audiences also got the chance to see a preview of the second Colossus production, also fronted by David Attenborough, called Micro-Monsters. Let’s just say if you are not already phobic about insects you will be!

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