3D Society Sets Board

The recently formed Intl. 3D Society has announced its board members, the date of its inaugural kudofest and a partnership with the People's Choice Awards. Org was set up Jan. 21 to recognize achievements and advance the art and technology of stereoscopic 3D (S3D) content.

Board officers are Sony 3D Technology center's Buzz Hays, chairman; DreamWorks Animation's Jim Mainard, vice chair; and Oculus3D's Lenny Lipton, first vice chair. Members include UC Berkeley's Marty Banks, 3ality Digital's Sandy Climan, Xpand's Maria Costeira, Sony Imageworks' Rob Engle, Salient Features' Charlotte Huggins, Master Image 3D's Peter Koplik, Lionsgate's Mike Polydoros and Paramount's Kurt Schwenk.

"After a century of effort, 3D movies are finally here," Lipton said. "The technology now allows moving images to enjoy a creative renaissance as filmmakers and the industry explore the potentials of this long-sought-after means of creative expression."

Org's kudos, the I3DS Awards, are set for the Mann Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Feb. 23. Eleven awards categories include live-action feature, animation feature, stereography, vfx and marketing 3D content. Event will be shown in 3D utilizing Xpand's active shutter glasses and systems. Intl. 3D Society's partnership with the People's Choice Awards will allow the latter org's members to vote for their favorite 3D live-action and animated movies based on Intl. 3D Society noms in those categories -- with winners to be unveiled at the Feb. 23 ceremony. "This is the beginning of a lasting and appropriate recognition of 3D professionals," said org prexy Jim Chabin.

By Peter Caranicas, Variety