En Belgique, il y a longtemps que le cinéma numérique et le Relief 3D a été pris très au sérieux par une série de professionnels, bien décidés à  profiter de ce mouvement de fond. L’enjeu est à la fois économique et culturel. Le défi est de continuer à exprimer de la meilleure façon, en maîtrisant les coûts, ce qui fait notre spécificité, aux côtés de grandes machines telles que l’industrie hollywoodienne ou japonaise. A ce jour, il n’y a pas à rougir de la place occupée par ces entrepreneurs.

We wanted to evaluate the situation with the market leader, XDC. Here is a transcript of the interview with Mrs. Judith MICHEL, Content Service Sales Manager.

TWIST: During IBC, several conferences on the theme of 3D relief called the attention of professionals to the “new 3D grammar”. The current issue is to develop it and make all participants share it (screenwriters, directors, directors of photography, producers, managers, etc.). What is the position of XDC on this subject?

XDC: Every time it is possible, we try to bring it into popular use and teach about it to different players during shows, fairs, conferences... Today, not an event or a fair happens without a conference or a speech about 3D. We think it has become part of the customs and that it is frequently discussed in the cinema world as well as by the public.

TWIST: Do you think there are enough companies and technicians in Belgium to fully participate in this movement?

XDC: Well today there aren't enough yet since it is still a new market. However, you can't say that Belgium is behind in cinema technologies. Several companies showed their know-how during the FIFF conference (from 2D to 4D) and they showed that they are already using the latest technologies and that the Belgian industry is involved in several well-known films.

TWIST: Is there a genre (fiction, documentary, animation, TV programmes, games, etc.) which will break through to the public faster?

XDC: Certain people still think 3D equals automatic success. But the public is growing accustomed to 3D. It is no longer a novelty to discover. So the public is no longer buying tickets for content because it's 3D but because it is good 3D. In other words, it is now necessary to have quality content and appropriate marketing.

TWIST: What are your expectations for the 3D Media festival in December?

XDC: We are partners of the festival because it is a novelty among festivals (and we all know there are too many identical festivals) and this corresponds to a market, to an evolution. It's a matter of being pioneers. We are very happy with the cinema developments in Liège with the 'Pôle Image' (in which we are already installed), Media Cité and this festival. It is an opportunity to show talent and know-how available in Belgium and to position Liège as a city active in cinema technologies. We are very happy and hope there will be a large and international public.

In a next article, we will talk about the way of filming and producing in 3D with Kommer Kleijn, director of photography specialised in 3D.

Benoît RENSONNET