Summary:
Having been selected by Paramount and Michael Bay as the primary conversion partner for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Legend3D is proud to announce and showcase our extraordinary work on this groundbreaking film.  Having completed 78 minutes of astonishing work on this film, we are thrilled with the industry reaction to date which has lauded the manner in which Legend3D was able to seamlessly intercut our work with that which was natively captured in 3D.  Further highlighting our talent and the spectrum of our technical expertise, within the 78 minutes, Legend3D finaled work on approximately 40 minutes of challenging non-visual effects shots and 38 minutes of highly-intricate visual effects shots, successfully assisting Michael Bay with his creation of this visual masterpiece.  

When Legend3D was first awarded this much-anticipated blockbuster of 2011 as the 3D conversion partner, we had reservations about the scope and complexity of this film, though the extent to which we rose to each and every challenge along the way reminded us of why we are the leader in the conversion industry.  Best known for his extraordinarily exciting action films and exacting eye for visual effects, we feel honored to have worked with Michael Bay on such a significant portion of this film, and the sense of accomplishment that we feel in having been involved in a film that is shattering box office records and delighting audiences worldwide with its immersive 3D is intensely rewarding.  In addition, the processes we specifically developed for this film increased productivity to such an extent we were able to take on five additional 911 jobs on other films, greatly assisting other studios, while concurrently completing work on this film.


Creative Analysis:
"'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' is the most complex 3D feature film conversion produced to date and it’s likely the most complex 3D feature film conversion that will ever be made.  Legend3D executed the creative direction of Michael Bay, working closely with Digital Domain and ILM under the skillful eye of Corey Turner (Stereographer), to produce the most significant 3D feature film since Avatar and in many respects a more significant game changer than Avatar. 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' is reinvigorating the 3D industry and finally making 3D conversion a respectable and essential creative tool in the visual effects toolbox. 'Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon' is proof positive that conversion can be as good as or superior to stereo camera capture when it’s done correctly and with sufficient time."  Barry Sandrew, Ph.D, Senior Stereographer


"I knew that the sheer volume and complexity of the visual effects shots on 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' were going to be very difficult to convert to stereo in the time provided.  We ramped up R&D, developed new software and new techniques to apply to both visual effects and non-visual effects shots. We were able to take the 2D shots done by ILM and DD, along with original footage, and match any stereo capture footage seamlessly. The artists at Legend3D were able to use these new tools and focus their efforts on the creative aspects of sculpting depth in the scenes. The end result was a new level of stereo realism with quick turnaround time to meet the demands of Corey Turner (Stereographer) and Michael Bay."  Scott Squires, Consulting Senior Visual Effects Supervisor


"It was incredibly exciting to be challenged by a director like Michael Bay to be on the cutting edge of 3D production.  Working with Michael and Corey Turner, the stereographer, we were able to improve our understanding of what we can create with filmmakers to make 3D a truly immersive experience!   And It was totally amazing to have the opportunity to collaborate with ILM and DD to bring Michael's vision to the screen.   We are all learning together how to use the creative power of 3D to tell stories that take the medium to a new level!"  Toni Pace Carstensen, Senior Stereo Visual Effects Producer


"'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' was the most challenging and deeply satisfying production I have ever worked on.  I’m very proud to be a part of the successful and rewarding creative partnership Legend3D developed with Stereographer Corey Turner and the Studio.  Early on Michael Bay had reservations about the 3D process and it was incredibly rewarding to provide him with the freedom to shoot using 3D capture cameras or industry standard Anamorphic 35mm film cameras, without sacrificing the quality of the 3D.  Conversion and Capture were intercut beautifully throughout the film and audiences have been unable to differentiate the two, illustrating that when conversion is done correctly the result can be indistinguishable from footage captured in 3D."   Legend3D Producer


“I was so impressed with the artistic talent, genuine enthusiasm and unrelenting drive of our entire team during this production.  The planning for and execution of the complex VFX conversion required close collaboration with ILM and Digital Domain, and we rose to each and every challenge.  We succeeded in not only providing the highest-quality stereo conversion but were also able to accommodate all the last-minute changes requested by Michael Bay, never compromising on the quality despite a tight schedule.  'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' has broken new ground for the 3D cinema experience and we are thrilled to have played a role in its completion.”  Legend3D Producer


“Going into 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon', we thought it was going to be a challenge; however, through unfiltered communication and transparency, our cohesive teams surmounted all obstacles!  To date, this has been the most collaborative project on which I have ever had the privilege to work.  Our relationship with Bay Films, ILM and DD helped us not only succeed, but to excel beyond what we thought was possible. The R&D which was worked into our pipeline has vastly improved our quality, speed and the process through which we create our 3D. Through 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon', we were able to create a product of such unquestionable quality that we were even unable to differentiate between the native footage and that which was converted.”  Legend3D Stereographer


“‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ was a massive undertaking which rightfully deserved and demanded every ounce of our creative and technical expertise. The multitude of unforeseen variables never crippled our efforts because of several factors: support of corporate, the ability to optimize our internal efficiencies, and the strong internal teams we’ve built. The success of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ serves as testimony to the incredibly talented and dedicated artists here at Legend3D. We’re pleased with the results of our efforts and honored to have been part of such a great franchise.”  Legend3D Stereographer


Film Credits:
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Patrick Dempsey
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Bay Films
Release Date: June 29, 2011


Legend3D Credits:
Senior Stereographer: Barry Sandrew, Ph.D
Senior Stereo Visual Effects Producer: Toni Pace Carstensen
Consulting Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Scott Squires
Lead Stereoscopic Visual Effects Supervisor: Tony Baldridge
Additional Stereoscopic Visual Effects Supervisor: Jared Sandrew
Lead Stereographer: Cyrus Gladstone
Stereographer: James Prola
Producers: Jeff Olson, Chris Longo
Compositing Supervisor: Shawn Barnett