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[Ian]

Sony are on the lookout for some stereoscopic clips, which will be shown on demo 3D TV's in stores. If you are capable of creating a 5-10 min clip that can be played on active shutter TV's, then it would be worth entering. You could win a 3D TV!

What to enter

We’re looking for stereoscopic 3D shorts made to work with active shutter technology (ie NOT red-blue anaglyph). Each video sequence should, preferable, be around 5-10 minutes in length. However, if you have a shorter sequence (that’s suitably impressive) we’ll still be willing to consider it for inclusion.

In terms of content, we don’t mind if it’s character animation, a VFX sequence, motion graphics or a particularly cool arch-viz flythrough. The key factors are that it’s of a professional standard, has good quality stereo 3D, and is suitable for family viewing!

How to enter

The competition is open to anyone capable of producing a stereo 3D video sequence – be it a new short from scratch or re-rendering an existing project in stereo 3D. The closing date for entries is Friday 9th July 2010.

You’ll need to render two sequences as single stream progressive scan 1920×1080 24fps (using any codec that plays back on a current non-3D PlayStation 3) with stereo sound – one for right eye, one for left.

For initial judging, the the video should be arranged as two, side-by-side, horizontally compressed 960×1080 images, left eye image on the left. The 960×1080 images will then be expanded to fill the 16:9 1920×1080 screen for viewing. You’ll need to use a composing package to combine the two sequences into one piece of footage.

Winning entries selected for inclusion on the demo Blu-ray disc will need to be delivered as two sets (left eye and right eye) of 1920×1080 TIFF or TARGA frames and a 48KHz Wav file for the sound (stereo or surround).

To enter the competition, send your stereoscopic movie on CD or DVD to the following address: Rachel Batchelor, Sony Europe, The Heights, Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0XW.

Your entry must clearly state your name, address, telephone number and email address. (Unfortunately we are unable to return original entries.)

All entries should be sent by 9 July 2010.

You can read more details here.

[Ian]

Here's another update to the competition that I've been e-mailed:

Sony and 3D World announce judging panel for global animated 3D film competition 3D experts and filmmakers will shortlist best entries

With the recently launched 3D film competition under way and entries starting to flow in, Sony and 3D World magazine can now reveal the judging panel that will have the honour of choosing the winners of the competition. The panel will shortlist the ten 3D films that will be showcased in every BRAVIA 3D TV sold, providing them with unprecedented global exposure.

The panel includes 3D World editor Steve Jarratt; Buzz Hays, Executive Stereoscopic 3D Producer, Sony 3D Technology Center in California; Jonathan Davies, Head of 3D Production at The Moving Picture Company; writer and director Julian Napier; Lee Danskin, Training Development Director at Escape Studios.

Speaking on confirmation of his inclusion on the panel, Buzz Hays said:
"I'm really looking forward to being on the panel for this competition.
3D is a relatively new medium for everyone at this stage, which offers an exciting starting point for established and aspiring film makers alike. This competition is a great opportunity for up and coming directors to show us what they've got."

The competition runs until 9th July. For full details on how to enter, check out the microsite: www.3dworldmag.com/sonycompetition. The live judging event will take place in mid July and the winner will be announced at SIGGRAPH on 25th July.