I just can’t wait for Lion King 3D

You know how it starts. The tribal, ethnic call echoes throughout the theater and whenever I hear it, I get chills. The music swells, the singing begins and the images of animals fill the screen. I’ve seen this movie dozens of times, but this time it’s different. This time the animals walk out of the screen towards the audience. The flocks of birds soar in multi-dimensions as we view them from above. I adored this movie when I first saw it, and now they made it even better. How can that be?

The technology of 3D makes it possible and the result is outstanding.

Last month, not only did I experience the award-winning, classic movie The Lion King, but I got to see it in 3D and meet some of the key players who created this masterpiece.

I knew changing a two-dimensional movie into a 3D movie would be a massive undertaking, but I had no clue how this could be accomplished. Well, Robert Neuman, the Stereoscopic Supervisor of Walt Disney Animation Studios gave me a beautiful lesson. As a former educator, I know how daunting it can be to explain a complex process to folks who don’t have background in your area of expertise. Robert managed to explain stereoscopic 3D conversion and made me love The Lion King even more.

How a 3D movie is created from 2D animation

Each frame in The Lion King had to be diagramed to designate the many dimensions of the image. Some scenes required extreme depths, others required a minimum amount, but still had to be specified for 3D. Next, a depths map was created. Each layer was positioned in the 3D space and then given an “internal volume,” labeled with a number. Objects closer to the audience would have a number with a “+” in front of it. Objects further away had a “-” in front of the number, indicating how far to the back the layer should be placed.

If this was the end of the process, the objects would have still appeared flat, but just positioned in front or behind another at different levels. But this is Disney, so of course, they didn’t stop there. Not only did they want to add depth, they wanted the objects to look real.

“Rounding maps” gave the images their life-like puffiness. Objects were rounded, but if various depths of roundness weren’t created, the image would have looked more like a Mylar balloon, not an actual lion. Each level within an image needed to be specified so depth could be added. For example, a lion’s face would be rounded, then each area would be specified to create a level in the image. The nose would be brought to the front and the other areas would be located further back.

Once these depth dimensions and contours were created, specially created software established “pixel displacement” for each frame to create a left and right eye image, resulting in a 3D frame of animation. This multi-step process was repeated 1,197 times for individual frames of animation. Each were diagramed and converted to change this movie to 3D.

Wow.

The depth of 3D and the depth of emotion

Robert coordinated the depth of field with the depth of feeling in the movie. Just as music in a film helps create a mood and emotion, Robert used the third dimension to convey the feelings of this movie. We all know The Lion King generates strong emotions within the audience, and the 3D only adds to the feeling of experiencing what is happening on the screen ourselves. We really feel like we are there in the gorge when the wildebeests stampede out of control, making the entire movie experience even more memorable.

He also used proximity to generate a closeness with a character, much like a theatrical production will have an actor move closer to the audience while delivering a long soliloquy or speech. By having Simba or Mufasa appear closer to the audience, we feel more connected to the character and what they are experiencing and feeling on the screen.

This makes it personal

When I attended the red carpet premiere of The Lion King 3D at the El Capitan theater in Los Angeles (which was outstanding, by the way!), we had assigned seats. If I could have picked my seat I would have picked the exact place where I got to sit. I sat in the middle of the seventh row, perfectly positioned to see every minute of the movie. Not only did I love my seat for what I would see in front of me, Robert Neuman, the man who had taught me all about 3D the day before, sat directly in back of me! How did I get so lucky?!?

I couldn’t resist telling him how much I enjoyed his presentation and how well he explained the complexities and nuances of creating 3D from a 2D film. I told him my favorite part is when the flock of birds flies across the screen and we feel like we are soaring with them ourselves.

As the lights dimmed and the familiar music began, I kept myself from turning around and smiling at Robert. He must have felt so proud at his accomplishment, and I wanted to acknowledge his efforts. The flock of birds flew across the screen and I gave him two thumbs up, but still not turning around. The opening music ended with the huge BOOM and the words “The Lion King” flashed across the screen. This time I couldn’t keep my enthusiasm inside. Along with everyone in the theater, I cheered – loudly. I cheered for Robert and the entire team who worked on this movie. Well done, everyone!

Experience the 3D for yourself

If you want to see this amazing technology displayed on the big screen, you can. The Lion King 3D is being released in theaters for a short two week run starting September 16th, and comes home on Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray Hi-Def Combo Packs October 4th.

Even if you can say every line and sing every song by heart, you’ll love seeing this movie with the added dimension of 3D. It doesn’t detract from the beauty of the film at all, and only enhances the amazing experience. You won’t want to miss out on seeing this again on the big screen. And when you see that flock of birds flying across the screen in the big opening number, think of me, and try not to cheer too loudly when you hear the big BOOM!

When Eileen Calandro isn’t working to contain herself in movie theaters, she is the Chief Mom Connector of Mom Central. You can read about other ways she has to control herself on her personal blog at calandroclan.com and connect with her on twitter at @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

Eileen Calandro