Attack of the Zombie Mimes!

Project Z-6463 is the latest stereoscopic 3D project to be produced and developed by 3D IU students.  IU Telecommunications M.S. and 3D class instructor Chris Eller wrote and directed the short about a couple who unknowingly become research subjects in a scientist's test of her weaponized killer zombie mimes.  

Kudos to Chris and the Project Z-6463 Kickstarter supporters.  He successfully raised $900 toward the production of the film. Project Z-6463 involved five 3D class alumni, including me.  I served as the project's assistant director.

The cast combines the talents of D.J. Mincy as the scientist, Sarah Van Tassel and Noah Winston as the couple, and Laura Reed, Robert Ping, Niles Burke, Chelsey McKrill, Jacob Radkiewicz, Laura Brunetti, and David Lunsford as zombie mimes.  Grant Gordon and Darrah Saaré crafted the mime make-up and zombie scars while B. Stryker-DeLong designed the awesome costumes.

Rehearsals were held Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th.  Because of weather concerns, we consolidated two nights of filming into one on Friday, May 20th.  The cast and crew demonstrated mettle and good humor late into the night.  The 2D rough edit of the film is completed and the 3D edit underway.  News to come of when this short will be shown at the Indiana University Cinema and other venues!

Check out these 2D but still super sweet photos of the zombie mimes:

Applying one last scar photo by Beckie DeLong

Darrah and Grant, the artists at work photo by Beckie DeLong

Zombie mimes, hungry and ready photo by Beckie DeLong

Production Stills "This Is Tango Now"

This Is Tango Now

Musicians setting up

This Is Tango Now show rehearsal

Audio, check!

Telecom 3D Showcase in the IU Cinema, May 1st

Mark your calendars, the Telecom 3D productions will have their night in the IU Cinema on Sunday, May 1st at 6:30 pm. Dress up and come out to see some great 3D productions from Telecom undergrad and grad students. The event will be added to the IU Cinema calendar soon.


Congratulations to the 3D classes and independent graduate students for showcasing in the state of the art IU Cinema.

Ready for "47 Ronin" in 3D

photo via FirstShowing.net

One of the biggest complaints I hear about 3D movies is that audience viewers find them "gimmicky." (Future posts to come on the usage and meaning of this term.) This complaint is followed up by jabs at the movie's story, many of which are merited.

For this reason, the news Keanu Reeves will be starring in Universal's take on 47 Ronin in 3D brought me joy. The story of the forty-seven ronin (Japanese for "samurai") is rich in its themes of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice as the forty-seven ronin wait to avenge the death of their leader at the cost of their own lives.

From our projects last semester, we found action and fight scenes look sweet in 3D. For me, the depth displays well the spatial relations of the characters. In flat movies, I struggle to track each fighter and often find myself lost, not knowing where each fighter is in relation to the others. For this reason, 3D is helpful to me in following the action of a fight scene. 47 Ronin is a story that affords ample opportunities to visually utilize depth without throwing any ninja stars at the screen. (Though come on, deep down you know you would be sad if you left without one shuriken whizzing at your face.)

Universal gains points in my book for green lighting a 3D movie where the 3D will serve and enhance the story. Hope the film delivers.

For more read: http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/rinko-kikuchi-and-others-cast-in-carl-rinschs-3d-epic-47-ronin/