Filmmakers aim to elevate city as 3D production hub

Danny Goldring stars in “Legends”

In the spirit of “make no little plans,” a trio of filmmakers aim to be the catalyst to position Chicago as a 3D production hub, now that faster, more efficient 3D production technology offers more opportunities.

Philip O’Neil of Eyeromp Films and producer/directors Vincent V. Shade and Andrew Eick of VASE Productions have formed a joint venture to create original entertainment and reimagined 3D shows.

“Although 3D has been around since the 1800s, I see it as a new niche, an open, untapped market,” says O’Neil, who switched careers four years ago from corporate IT to filmmaking.

One reason for 3D’s growth, he notes, “is that “3D will be installed in future TV sets above 40-inches and that will necessitate more 3D content.” 

First up for Eyeromp/VASE is a proposed docudrama series, “Legends of Prohibition 3D,” which the producers plan to pitch to new 3D networks, such as Discovery’s 3Dnet, Cablevision’s MSG TV , DirecTV’s Cinema 3D and the many 3D networks throughout Europe and Asia.

“Legends of Prohibition 3D” profiles iconic figures of Chicago’s Prohibition era, like Elliot Ness, Al Capone, Bugsy Moran and Mickey Finn, with each episode focusing on a single criminal.  Actor Danny Goldring plays the detective investigating the crime scenes.

Vincent V. Shade, Danny Goldring, Philip O’Neil and Andrew EickThey shot for two days on the stage of Dean Magdalin’s new Magdalin Creative Media in the West Loop, using the latest 3D technology for the first time in Chicago – the new CC3D Gen 2 lightweight 3D rig, supplied by Daufenbach Camera that only recently became available in the Midwest. 

Developed by Oscar-winning digital artist Marty Mueller, the electronically precise, adjustable 3D rig has the ability to mount many different digital cameras.

For the shoot, O’Neil brought in two 3D experts: DP Ross Heran, a New York-based cinematographer, and award-winning filmmaker and stereographer Tim Maupin of St. Louis as editor and visual effects supervisor. Alan Farris, who works at Towers Productions, was Assistant Director.

Guests observing the shoot with the CC3D were representatives of several companies that produce IMAX films.

“Legends” is now in post and will run 5-to-7 minutes when finished and ready for pitching.

Eick and Shade founded VASE Productions earlier this year.  Eick, who spent five years working on the “Oprah” show,has expertise in stereoscopic 3D productions and post, 2D-3D conversion and has worked on high end cameras and rigs. 

Shade was an assistant director on Towers’ recent 3D doc Fields of Valor: The Civil War 3D,” for 3net, and on the feature  “I Heart Shakey,” Christopher Nolen’s “The Good Life,” and “Black Box.”  

“We have the team to produce 3D projects and we have marketable ideas for general interest and advertising projects,” says O’Neil. “This is the right time to move into 3D and be smart about it.”

Reach O’Neil at 773/315-2440; Email, philip.oneil@eyerompfilms.com.