Bluerock Editor Cuts U2 3D

Bluerock Editor Olivier Wicki Brings Creative Editing Expertise to the First-Ever Live-Action 3D Concert Film, U2 3D;
Directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington, Produced by 3ality Digital, Documentary To Premiere at Sundance

U2 3D, Produced by 3ality Digital, directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington, edited by Olivier Wicki of Bluerock New York, recently premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. The film will be distributed by National Geographic Entertainment in IMAX beginning January 23rd, and expanded in Dolby, REAL D, and other digital 3D formats on February 15th.

The movie is the first live action film shot entirely in digital 3D, and was primarily directed by Irish artist and U2's Creative Director of Screen Visuals Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington (live shoot co-direction). It transforms a series of live concerts by one of the world's most acclaimed bands into a unique and stimulating experience.

To capture the unique artistic energy of the legendary band's live concert performances, the film required an intense and intimate creative collaboration between director Owens, Bluerock editor Olivier Wicki, the band, and the producers at 3ality Digital. Bluerock's innovative resources along with Spontaneous' creative design were integral in delivering this emotionally thrilling, ground-breaking 3D visual experience.

Stated Catherine Owens, "Olivier became an important member of the production and post production team during editing - his ability to understand my artistic vision is deeply rooted in our mutual passion for art and music."

According to Wicki, each of the fifteen songs performed in U2 3D brought a surreal, layered, magical experience in 3D, with the end result being something spiritually, emotionally and graphically compelling.

Ethel Rubinstein, Owner/COO of Bluerock, comments on the project: "The passion of this film project from all involved was like none we have ever experienced at Bluerock. It was truly a memorable and exciting opportunity for all of us. Olivier's ability to understand and interpret Catherine Owens' direction during the editing process was both inspiring and interesting to observe. Catherine and the band truly provided a personal touch that enhanced the spirit of this creative collaboration immensely."

Bluerock partner Spontaneous was also heavily involved in U2 3D, with Creative Director John Leamy designing the films opening title sequence, logo, and poster, as well as editing the trailer. "This project is something that will be seen all over the world, so we wanted the concept to feel exciting and match the energy of the film," said John Leamy.

Running eighty-five minutes in length, the epic spectacle U2 3D was produced by Los Angeles-based 3ality Digital and culled from over 600 hours of footage filmed over the course of seven of the band's successful Vertigo World Tour concerts in early 2006. Shot with no less than nine pairs of digital 3D cameras, the most such cameras ever used on a single project, U2 3D features the first-ever 3D multi-camera live shoot and documents fifteen of U2's greatest performances.

Selecting footage required eight months in New York. Wicki would send the edits to 3ality in Burbank and keep working. The next nine months were spent in Los Angeles working directly with the California-based 3D team. Wicki elaborates: "The development of 3D layering and compositing by 3ality enables viewers to see multiple images composed on the screen at the same time. This is also the first time that audiences will see CGI blended so seamlessly with live action."

U2 3D is distributed by National Geographic Entertainment. The film premiered at Sundance on January 19, 2008 (Eccles theatre) and opens in selected cities on January 23, 2008 and wide in February.

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