During the first day of 3D Stereo MEDIA, François Mantello, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of 3D Entertainment Films and member of the festival jury, accepted to give us his first impressions on the 3D event.

François Montello: Organising a festival about 3D images is not an easy task but I think that this salon and the conference cycle around it are a success. 3D film production is currently exponentially growing: people are talking about it everywhere! Once this happens, creators, producers and technicians must brainstorm together. The specific technique needed for 3D is a direct influence on the writing for the film.

How does 3D influence film writing?

FM: The first step, which isn't the easiest and which must be understood is that you have to write films for 3D. A director or screenplay writer must understand the 3D technique so that the films would use 3D correctly. Unlike the other revolutions in cinema (sound, colour), for 3D, you have to radically change the type of writing by keeping the end product in mind. Right now, there is a problem films need to face: they are distributed in 2D and in 3D. At the moment, we keep a middle ground. But for a certain number of directors and producers such as Ben Staessen, film is only written for its 3D version. So, the result is totally adapted to its medium. 3D is really the new medium you have to learn how to work with. Training is necessary for the whole production chain: writing, directing, technique, production...

Do you think that in 10 years, all films in cinema will be in 3D?

FM: In any case, it will be possible to film them all in 3D, even the most intimist films. The major asset of 3D is that it makes the screen's frame disappear: the viewer is really immersed in a scene. A different emotion is touched there: the viewer participates much more in the action. It must be hoped that 3D will push viewers to return to cinemas instead of preferring the coziness of home cinema.

For those who don't know you, what about your personal experiences?

FM: My brother and I have been making 3D for 18 years now. We made business films, films for amusement parks, Imax films. Currently we are releasing Ocean World 3D, a film which will be distributed by Disney in the States.
When we started working in 3D, there were no post-production tools, we had to create our own tools to edit in 3D. Today, the entire post-production chain has evolved en tools have been developed specifically for 3D.

What do you think about Europe, compared to the United States, in matters of 3D?

FM: The European companies lack an international view on projects: conceive films for the international market, first of all the United States. We finance our own films, we do not receive state aid.
When someone produces a film with their own funds, they pay more attention to money. The business part becomes a lot more important. And then, films can be broadcast all over the world. When a film has been financed with public money and when everyone has been paid with these funds: the results of the film matter less. In the USA there is no problem linking creation and money. When you talk with Cameron, Spielberg and Lucas, you quickly realise that they are very hardened business men.
A final word?
FM: Long live 3D Stereo MEDIA!