The official blog for U2 3D, the movie
We’re on the telly again! U2 3D at Sundance 2008 will be featured on REELZ CHANNEL “Dailies” twice! Air times include Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM (PST) and will air again on January 31, 2008 at 4:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM (PST).
Please check your local listings or visit: http://www.reelzchannel.com for more information.
Watch this clip for an insider's view of the U2 3D premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Enjoy the band and crew interviews!
For those of you who missed us at the Sundance Film Festival but heard about our presence, tune in to VH1 at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. EST this Friday, January 25th for premiere footage and interview clips.
Also tune in to the Reelz Channel at the following times for more Sundance highlights:
Friday - 3:00 p.m./6:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m./9:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m./12:00 a.m. PST/EST
Saturday - 9:00 a.m./12:00 p.m., 12:30pm/3:30 p.m., 4pm/7pm, 7:30 p.m./10:30 p.m. PST/EST
Sunday - 10:00 a.m./1:00 p.m., 2:00 pm/5:00 p.m., 5:00 pm/8:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m./11:30 PST/EST
Monday - 4:00 a.m./7:00 p.m., 7:00 a.m./10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m./1:00 p.m. PST/EST
Catch a glimpse of the all star attendees and see for yourself what all the excitement was about.
Can't get enough content? Visit our U2 3D multimedia page for the latest photo, audio, and video updates! Exclusive Sundance Film Festival media clips and photos are now up. We'll be releasing new materials on a regular basis so remember to check back often. You can also subscribe to U2 3D Live's feed to get all the latest updates.
Catherine Owens is a New York-based Irish artist known for creating U2's last four world tour video installations. She has also directed their music video for "Original of the Species" and recently premiered her feature film directorial debut, "U2 3D" at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Having garnered well-earned praise for the 3D concert experience, in between panels and press conferences, I caught up with the glowing director to wax poetic about life in Manhattan and her early influences.
Did you always know you wanted to be an artist?
Always... well I mean I was drawing, I was scribbling, I was a major scribbler when I was a kid. I suppose when I was 14, I finally took some good classes. I think I took art classes for the exams I was doing.
My father was quite a brilliant advertising man and great ideas person and great thinker and a lovely draftsman so I would take after him in my drawings and he would encourage me. We grew up in a house full of artwork. Every inch of every wall was covered in art.
Is your mother creative?
She wasn't visually creative but she was a very clever woman and would make sure we were all immersed in the arts.
What brought you to the States?
I got an Arts Council Grant after college to come here, to come to New York. It was a travel grant. I received it upon graduation and at that time, New York was the place for artists. It was post punk but during the East Village art boom. It was a very active arts group including Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat, and [Keith] Haring. You know, a very, very active group.
That was when fine art crossed over with street art and was also heavily influenced by music.
Yes, the former Talking Heads.
Deborah Harry. Madonna.
Danceteria! I clubbed for a whole year out there. Just clubbed. Area, Danceteria...
How long have you been in New York?
20 years.
So you're a New Yorker, is that the longest you've lived anywhere?
It's true but I have a house in Ireland so I come back [home].
Immediately following the exclusive dinner, Team U2 3D transported the whole crew to the Eccles Theatre. Once there, producers, directors, and members of U2 walked the Sundance red carpet. Flashes were popping off like fireworks inside. Director Catherine Owens looked radiant and the producers stood proud. It was electrifying! 
The undisputed highlight of the evening immediately followed the red carpet. The crowd roared as Robert Redford and then U2 entered the theatre. As the lights faded, the excitement quickly grew. Many attendees moved to the music while participating as though they were attending a live concert -- waving hands in the air, shining mobile phones in lieu of lighters, and clapping passionately at the end of each song. Invited guest, Jeffrey Hopkins, Program Manager for Waterfront Film Festival was awed to see the theatre audience merge with the film audience, "It made the point that we experienced what the concert goers experienced during the show." 
So what exactly happens before a movie screening? I’ve never been to a film festival of this caliber before nor have I ever attended as staff. The Sundance film festival is a new experience to me. And everywhere I go, do, and see excites me to no end!
I attended the film’s audio and visual tech check at the Eccles Theater today where the staff tuned and tested the systems. Present were U2 3D Producer and Executive Audio Producer, John Modell as well as U2’s long-time sound team, Carl Glanville and Robbie Adams, Audio Director, Joe O’Herlihy, VFX Supervisor, Dave Franks, Dolby’s Technical Director Russell Allen, Production Manager Jenny Sireci, and Supervising Producer, Ted Kenney.
When asked why such an elite army of technicians was needed for set up, John Modell stated, “It’s the premiere of the film with U2, the greatest band in the world. We brought all the guys who have worked with the band a long time and Clair Bros who brought a customized sound system to the theater. We also worked with Dolby who delivered their newest 3D system, which is amazing looking.” Modell, who is also a musician, felt that this was, “the most high tech film screening that’s ever been done in history.”
Ted Kenney echoed Modell’s eagerness to make everything perfect explaining that today was the last day to make all final touches on the visuals and audio, “Every venue is different so it’s a priority for us to make every seat in the house have the same quality of sound. It’s important to us, the director, and the music producer to replicate a live concert experience.”
I’m not an AV expert. But I have seen a lot of movies in the theater and I can confidently say, I’ve never seen or heard anything like this!
It’s freezing outside but we’re still feeling warm and fuzzy from all the recent rave reviews. Our team’s arrived in Park City, Utah for Sundance 2008 and we’re excited! Can’t stand the sub zero weather? No patience to wait hours in line for next year’s surprise box-office hit? Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for — to report to you all the cool behind-the-scenes action that will happen at this indie cinema showcase. Watch everything unfold as we roll out the red carpet for U2 3D’s world premiere on Saturday, January 19, 2008. Sundance is going to rock!
