U2 3D Live

U2 Can See Them "Live"

2008-04-23T22:39:05Z

Hello International U2 Fans!

Have you had a chance to check out U23D yet?! To date, the 3D rockumentary has been released internationally in France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Austria, Greece, Argentina, Hungary, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, and Taiwan.

U23D is coming soon to a theatre near you in the following countries:

Montreal Science Center, Montreal, Canada (4/23/08) Imax des Galeries de la Capitale, Quebec City, Canada (4/29/08) Cinemark Alto Las Condes, Santiago, Chile (5/15/08) CINEMARK REFORMA, Mexico (8/29/08)
Cinemark Lindavista, Mexico, (8/29/08)
Cinemark Avenida Das Americas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (10/2008) National Amusements / UCI Kinoplex Norte Shopping, Salao S Cachambi, Brazil (10/2008) Cinemark, Santa Catarina, Brazil (10/2008) Cinemark, Sao Paulo, Brazil (10/2008)

Please check your local listings so you don’t miss out on what everybody’s talking about!

Peeps Show

2008-03-31T17:15:34Z

We couldn’t think of a better way to welcome Spring than to participate in the second annual Sunday Source Peeps Diorama Contest.

Members of National Geographic’s communication team, Ann Barrett, Kate Baylor, Heather Cabral, Ethan Fried, and Stephanie Montgomery set out to create an eye-catching “U2 3D“-themed diorama. They ended up creating a rainbow-colored marshmallow wonderland complete with U2 band peeps and a packed movie theater with rabid peep fans. No details were spared; band members were carefully crafted including a Bono peep with trademark sunglasses and an Edge peep rocking a knit, or in this case, felt hat.

The diorama was nominated as a finalist and that’s pretty peepin’ sweet! Congrats to all!

U23D Tee!

2008-03-24T19:49:35Z

Hey everybody! Are you ready to rock some specially made U2 3D wares? Exclusive to U2.com, the t-shirts are 100% cotton designed with the U2 3D logo on the front and the four silhouette images of the band on the back. This is for all the fans who have reached out to let us know how much you've enjoyed the film... now you can wear your support!!

Take Heart

2008-03-12T00:48:46Z

As seen in U2 3D and on U2’s 2005 Vertigo tour, the beating heart animation by director, artist, and designer Juan Delcan (with original programming by Digital: CC) is now available as a screen saver in the downloads section for both the PC and Mac. Feel free to download it and pass it on!

And I Quote...

2008-03-01T01:30:29Z

U2 3D is now in wide release. Please check your local listings for theater showtimes. We think you’ll love this film but we’ll let the experts tell you in their own words:

If you’re a fan of the band U2, you’ll probably be seeing “U23D” regardless of my opinion. The good news is that not only is this a must-see for devotees of the acclaimed Irish rock group, but it’s also a fantastic movie-going experience for people only remotely familiar with the group’s work. - Keil Shults, TheV247.com, February 29, 2008

Here the shots from the crowd - with a thousand arms flung skyward ahead of you - are incredible. You have to resist the urge to tap the shoulder of the person in the seat in front. - Noel McAdam, Belfast Telegraph, February 29, 2008

After seeing U2 3D, you might decide to skip future live-concert films and wait for the 3-D movie of your favorite artist’s show instead. The experience is that good. - Bob Grimm, Tucson Weekly, February 28, 2008

U2’s greatest hits have never looked or sounded so good. - David J. Sanders, World Magazine, February 28, 2008

…for anyone who hasn’t been fortunate enough to experience the splendor and majesty of U2 in concert, this flick is a pretty good indicator of what you’ve been missing. - James McGee, 411mania, February 27, 2008

…U2 3D is more real than any reality. - Shayla Carlson, The Independent Weekly, February 26, 2008

No matter how good they are, concert films always seem like films of concerts. U2 3D puts viewers at the concert. - Betsy Pickle, The Columbus Dispatch, February 26, 2008

U23D on Track!

2008-02-26T01:03:36Z

I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California yesterday to join the Best Buy team in a little car racing revelry! We weren’t the only ones excited to watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 500 as thousands of dedicated fans turned up in the rain.

Members of our team were given a private tour of the grounds, even getting to watch the #19 Best Buy Dodge go through a series of serious inspections. What a process! It was fascinating to follow and observe the pit crew working together, completely unaffected by the pouring rain. The inspection provided an opportune time for taking photos of the car’s new “skin”, with the hood, sides, and decklid covered in U2 3D!

On the “as far as the eyes can see” two-mile oval at the track formerly known as California Speedway, Elliott Sadler was ready to debut the U2 3D-wrapped race car but it was not to be. After hours of waiting and several attempts to dry the track, the race finally commenced only to be delayed again due to inclement weather. Late into the evening, NASCAR finally called it quits and rescheduled the conclusion of the race for today. Although I did not get to enjoy the thunderous roar of the vehicles, it was an incredible experience to see our film be a part of American popular culture!

U2 3D in Wide Release!

2008-02-23T02:00:26Z

Join the crowd! U2 3D opens nationwide today! Please support our film and spread the word to your friends and family. This film is for everyone, not just the hardcore U2 fans, so come out and be a part of the 3D revolution!

More U2 3D footage available here. More Dublin premiere footage available here.

U2 3D Premieres in Dublin

2008-02-21T23:23:25Z

As part of the 2008 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, U2 3D had its European Premiere at Dublin’s Cineworld on Parnell Street last night. The air was especially electrifying as the large crowds cheered on the hometown heroes.

Irish rock band U2, Co-Director and Producer Catherine Owens, Producers John Modell, Jon Shapiro, and Peter Shapiro, Executive Producers David Modell and Sandy Climan, and Visual Effects Supervisor Dave Franks were all in attendance with friends and family, including American sports legend Art Modell and his wife Pat. Celebrity guests included Gavin Friday, Alison Doody, Jodie Kidd, Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mountcharles, Stephen Rea, and U2’s band manager, Paul McGuinness and his daughter Alexandra.

With an overflowing audience, U2 3D was shown on two screens with the band introducing the team behind the film. Early in the evening, Bono anecdotally recounted a humorous incident that occurred on his seventeenth birthday with long time friend and U2 collaborator Catherine Owens. Donning customized polarized glasses specially designed for the band for the 3D cinema premiere, the band was ready to once again attend a U2 concert with a full house. Maybe for the band, attending the a screening of U2 3D is in fact, sometimes better than the real thing!

All the News That's Fit to Print

2008-02-19T23:19:20Z

U2 3D opens in wide release this weekend! Thanks everybody for your continuing support. If you haven't heard much about our little film, here's the latest on what the media has to say:

The technology also makes members of the movie audience feel as though they are part of the live concert audience. - Matt Wastradowski, The Columbian, February 20, 2008

"U2 3D" is a groundbreaking work that translates the live concert experience to the cinema like no other film that has come before. It's such a thoroughly enthralling production, one that totally encompasses the viewer, that, in some ways, attending an actual U2 concert pales in comparison to watching this film. - Jim Harrington, Mercury News, February 14, 2008

The effect will make it feel like you are in the front row of a U2 gig. - Rick Fulton, DailyRecord.co.uk, February 14, 2008

"U2 3D" is the future of film. By coupling the amazing visual effects of 3-D, as well as impeccable sound, the film is technically flawless. - Kyle Johnson, TheReporter.com, February 15, 2008

This is a must-see for everyone, from the most fanatic of U2 connoisseurs to the average rock fan, looking for something a little different in a music video. - Lena Putzer, Aced Magazine, February 14, 2008

But this film shows the exciting opportunities for the medium. It can create "space" in front of your eyes. - Martin Shankleman, BBC News, February 7, 2008

U2 3D: 30-Second Spot

2008-02-16T02:00:42Z

W00t! Check out our new U2 3D 30-second spot! This commercial will be airing on television for the next couple of weeks starting February 16th. Keep both eyes open so you don't miss it!

Big Love

2008-02-14T00:05:46Z

Big love from Team U2 3D! This wallpaper, our movie poster, and trailer are now available for download from the U2 3D website! Spread the word and share the love this Valentine's Day!

Following is U2's set list for the film:

   1. "Vertigo"
   2. "Beautiful Day"
   3. "New Year's Day"
   4. "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own"
   5. "Love and Peace or Else"
   6. "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
   7. "Bullet the Blue Sky"
   8. "Miss Sarajevo"
   9. "Pride (In the Name of Love)"
10. "Where the Streets Have No Name"
11. "One"
12. "The Fly"
13. "With or Without You"

Psst. Stay for the end credits and experience the bonus surprise song, "Yahweh" with beating hearts and all!

An Early Easter Egg

2008-02-11T23:56:47Z

In the interactive entertainment world, an Easter egg is an intentional hidden feature left by programmers for gamers (participants) to stumble upon. In U2 3D's case, an Easter egg is a sweet surprise embedded into the movie widget. For the past couple of weeks, fanatic U2 fans have been lucky enough to have discovered our hidden treasures and we thought it was time to share this gift with all of you. Follow the directions below to unlock a handful of exclusive U2 3D media:

First go to the U2 3D movie widget page.
Add the widget to your website, blog, or social networking page by clicking on the link.
Point your mouse to the "U2 3D" logo in the upper left hand corner of the widget.
Click on the logo for three seconds and then release.
A box will appear requiring a password. Enter "u23d" to unlock the found content.
Sit back and enjoy the secret media!
Spread the word and let your friends know that by repeating the steps above in the near future, new U2 3D widget-exclusive content will become available to you!

U2 3D in Times Square Now!

2008-02-07T23:40:41Z

What epic rock band is lighting up New York City?! U2 for U2 3D! If you find yourself in Manhattan, take a trip to the iconic world landmark, Times Square and check out our electronic billboard spectacle! We're screening an eye-catching 30-second 2D trailer with rotating snapshots of band and crowd shots to the right of the monitor. And it's big. Real big! U2 3D's jumbotron presence will be up until February 24, 2008.

The Breaks

2008-02-06T23:03:51Z

The public has joined the media in giving due props to U2 3D. Thanks everybody for your infectious enthusiasm and unshakable support. Keep the kind words coming. And if you haven’t experienced U2 3D yet, what are you waiting for?! We’re coming at you in wider release soon so check U2 3D’s site for more movie listings and showtimes.

“Don’t go to the Website, don’t watch the trailer, stop reading this right now and get your ass to the THEATRE!” - Bob Lefsetz, Leftsetz.com, February 5, 2008

“To deny yourself the joy of seeing U2 3D, is to deny yourself perhaps the best time you’ll ever have as a fan of cinema or music. You owe it to yourself to find a theater playing it.” - Kip Mooney, There is A Light That Never Goes Out, February 4, 2008

“U23D” takes the concert movie to a new technological level it has not previously been at before.” - Ben, MatchFlick, February 3, 2008

“…if you love U2 and if you want a new experience watching a great concert, don’t miss this flick.” - Ron Wilkinson, MonstersandCritics.com, February 2, 2008

“In an age of downloads and home theatre, U2 3D is a purely cinematic experience and an exciting one at that.” - Allan Tong, Exclaim!, February

“The 3-D visuals envelop you, majestically, and that effect fuses with the band’s surround-sound rapture to create a full-scale sensory high.” - Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly, January 30, 2008

“The net result is a truly one-of-a-kind concert no one has ever seen, heard, or experienced before.” - Scooter Thompson, MovieEveryday.com, January 30, 2008

“U2 3D” IS THE MOST AWESOME THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE EVER!!” - Jen Chaney, WashingtonPost.com (Going Out Gurus), January 24, 2008

Interview: John Fahey, CEO of National Geographic

2008-02-01T23:19:51Z

While at the Sundance Film Festival, I had an opportunity to sit and chat with John Fahey, CEO of National Geographic. We discussed his interest in U2 3D and how National Geographic's innovative business models continue to sustain the nonprofit's core mission.

What was it about U2 3D that felt right for it to be the first film distributed by National Geographic's new entertainment division?

We're the premiere distributor of large format films and U2 3D looked to us, like the best film out there beyond the films that we make. Also, the band U2, what they stand for, and world music is something the Geographic as an institution is really interested in. In many ways U2 is the ultimate Irish band and a band of the world. And world music is the purest signature of any culture. We were intrigued by that fact and we are getting into the music business ourselves. The message of the band is attuned with what the Geographic really cares about.

You've been quoted as saying, "National Geographic was created as a nonprofit to inspire people to have a lifelong appreciation for the planet and its people. Our mission hasn't changed." Does U2 fit that ideology?

They do in a number of ways. They make great music and they stand for quality and the Geographic stands for quality. Some of the principals, philosophies, and values that this band seems to have are similar to the values that the Geographic has. I'm really intrigued by the fact that these guys want to stay ahead of the game. They want to be out in front and this is a place the Geographic hopes to occupy in the future. National Geographic wants to be more cutting-edge than it may have seemed in the past.

How did you find out about U2 3D?

We knew it was coming because of our relationship with 3ality Digital. We've been very intrigued in 3D technology for filmmaking and because of our interest in IMAX, we've been immersed in 3D and the tech side of filmmaking already.

Have you ever been to a U2 concert?

I've been to several U2 concerts back in the 80s. I think it was the late 80s when they were in Washington D.C. They're still the greatest band! Then I saw them about two years ago when they were last in D.C.

How does a live U2 concert experience compare to the 3D film experience?

The 3D experience is comparable. At some level nothing beats being at a rock concert. That being said, this is awfully close. Unless you've got a great seat, this can be better!

]]> Do you have a favorite song that showcases the 3D technology?

What I liked about this film is the 3D is appropriately subtle. The film isn't about sensationalized 3D. It's about using 3D to give you the real impression that you're there and I think it really does that. I find the songs I like in U2 3D are the songs I really like generally. I just love the film.

Have you ever had a chance to meet the band?

Bono's been to my office at National Geographic. Actually, Bono came to see us because he loves the Geographic and he was thinking of things to do with the Geographic that had nothing to do with this film. I've met the other band members too.

U2 3D is being touted for its ability to seamlessly bridge entertainment and technology. How do you see new digital technologies advancing the National Geographic brand?

A great deal of our focus and energy is behind trying to use all sorts of new digital technologies that can really work for the end user in a significant way. We're trying to use that as aggressively as makes sense. We're doing a lot of mobile things; we're doing much digital video, and as I said already, we are filming IMAX movies in 3D. We're really interested in the fact that they're going to be more 3D theaters in multiplexes. So we see this as one of many opportunities that the wonders of technology are bringing to the media business. The possibilities seem limitless.

If I was a theater owner I'd have this film in there all the time because it's truly unique. U2 3D shows you the power of music. The biggest stars in the world are rock stars. There's no question about it.