Today, with the proliferation of video and computer technology in the post production process, even the most sophisticated modern tools of capturing images on film, tape, or digital media are subject to a multitude of deviations and aberrations that lead to unwanted contrast, tone, and colors. The result of which is a great deal of frustration as scheduling, creative, and budgetary problems ensue.

Until 1995 there was no method specifically designed for maintaining image control in the diverse fields of TV, motion pictures, or computer graphics. Gamma & Density Inc. designed just such a method, and patented it.

On the set

Our new system called the 3cP (Color Correction Control Post) exists as a portable software/hardware device for use on the set. (See picture below).

Operation of the 3cP device is very simple. The image creator (director, cinematographer, producer, or art director.) doesn't need to have in-depth knowledge of either color science or computer color technology. He or she only needs to select from our 3cP menu, with the help of our operator, all the desired shooting conditions and effects that can be encountered via practical experience: film stock, filters, types of processing, special stocks, visual effects, etc.

By using a specially calibrated monitor and our software, the image creator is "dialing in" the desired effects, color, and contrast of his or her choice for the images that he or she desires to change.

The results can be seen immediately and can be compared with previous settings or even with any pre-production images, including storyboards. Then it is ready, if nessary, for color correction and adjustments.

Images are then saved in the computer, with the relevant technical data, and can then be sent to post production facilities (lab, telecine or CGI) easily by copying them to a portable computer disk or by sending them over the internet, satellite, telephone lines.

Advantages

3cP is a system that will allow creative talent, whether they be directors, producers, cinematographers, advertising art directors, etc. to pre-visualize their ideas, put them in a concrete technical form for post-production facility interpretation, and deliver them directly to the finishing facilities for execution.

Our system applies to every aspect of film and TV production (feature films, MOW's, TV shows, animation, and electronic cinema) and improves communication between pre-production, production, and post-production.

According to our tests with production companies and post production facilities our system can save a producer up to 25% on post production expenses, and increase the speed of the transfer process almost double, preserving the quality of the video dailies, which is very close to the quality of the finished project.

There is a number of the additional advantages, offered by 3cP system:

1. The design of 3cP permits to link pre-production, production and post-production processes in one coherent manageable and fruitful creative process.

2. 3cP will give users greater creative control while increasing their participation in the technical realm of creating images and therefor increase mutual cooperation between the creative and technical sides of the process.

3. With 3cP there are no territorial boundaries. The users are able to conveniently share images and all the related data between remote film or TV locations and production, post-production facilities such as digital effects houses, film laboratories, telecine facilities, and production offices via, for instance, internet, satellites, and telephone lines.

4. In the pre-production period, it is possible to take a photo or a polaroid, put it directly into the 3cP workstation at any location, and alter it to conform to any film stocks, filters, types of processing, special stocks, visual effects, etc. that you intend to use. The stored images can then be used to storyboard the concept while maintaining your filmic modifications, and do so all in the same program. When you are satisfied with the previsualized project the results can then be sent to any advertising agency or studio prior to shooting even a foot of film.

5. For feature films and MOW's 3cP provides immediate color correction on the set, and it provides printing lights settings for laboratories and luminance levels for telecine facilities. This is especially important in today's environment in which most dailies are transferred through telecine. This ensures that the original creative intentions of the director of photography remain intact and are not subjected to misinterpretations by laboratories or telecine facilities. As a result, a great deal of frustration stemming from scheduling, creative, and budgetary problems can be avoided.

6. For animated feature films and animated TV series our system provides a unified procedure for all steps that involve color and tonal renditions. By using our specially patented Gamma 2U chart we ensure the integrity of color space in animated productions from character and background design stages, through shooting and videotape transfer and/or film print.

7. For electronic movies, our patented Color Correction Control system is a device for pre-visualization of the intended final result for HD and SD movies.

Industry Reaction

The entertainment industry is suffering from an absence of a standard for visual communication between pre-production, production, post-production, and in the duplication to various media's.

Gamma & Density is filling this need with a single comprehensive package, which is portable and easy to use. Our "Thorough Control System"(T.C.S.) provided a major technical breakthrough by virtue of its original and innovative engineering approach to image control problems and is now being successfully used worldwide. 3cP uses T.C.S. as it's standard for image control.

The film and video industries have taken a strong interest in Gamma & Density's system from the first stages of its development; to create a method designed specifically to control the quality or color accuracy of video dailies, i.e. the result of a film/TV crews previous days work. Gamma & Density Co. presented scientific papers to the congresses of SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) twice and was mentioned in the annual Progress Report SMPTE in the new technology chapter.

Major industry publications have written feature articles on the "Thorough Control System". These publications include "American Cinematographer Magazine" (USA), "Eyepiece" (UK), Fuji Magazine (Japan), AFC Magazine (France), "Man & Technology" (Sweden), "BSC" (UK), "Short Ends"(USA), POST Magazine (USA).

The 3cP idea and its technological approach have received very positive responses from the industry. One of the facilities, after conducting a series of tests, stated that this system "WILL HAVE SERIOUS TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT IN FILM PROCESSING AND FILM PRODUCTION EVERYWHERE."

The Vice-President of the union of professional cinematographers (International Photographers, IATSE) commented on the 3cP systems future product release date in the following words: "EVERY DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY WILL WELCOME THAT DAY, AS WILL THE TELECINES AND LABS"