Results tagged “National Geographic” from U2 3D Live

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!

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!

One of the pitfalls of flooding a city with tens of thousands of visitors in a week is that more often than not, cellular service is poor at best. So when a hot spot is found, people stop dead in their tracks to work, work, work, and work! We spent most of the morning and afternoon dealing with dinner and party location and transportation logistics with the A-Team.  A lot of progress was made by furiously tapping away.  Don't believe for a minute that the photo captured above is unique to our crew.  Everywhere you look at Sundance, this is what you'll see.

Hello, hello! My name is Souris and I want to personally welcome all of you to U2 3D LIVE, the official blog for U2 3D, the movie. This unique cinematic experience is the first digital 3D, multi-camera, real-time production, brought to you by the tech wizards from 3ality Digital, our favorite legendary rock band, U2, and National Geographic.

This is where technology and entertainment intersect, marrying innovative digital 3D imagery and state-of-the-art sound to the pulsing experience of a live U2 concert. Have you ever seen someone pull out his or her mobile phone and wave it at a movie screen? How about seeing someone in the theater aisle moving to the music? I know this may sound funny, but I've witnessed this and it's incredibly exciting! Who knew movies could be so fun?!

U2 3D LIVE is your go-to blog for finding out the latest buzz on what's going on in our world. Can't wait? Then add us to your Facebook account or add our widget to your own personal web space. We're about to kick off our theater tour and we hope you'll join us. We at National Geographic look forward to taking this journey with you. We promise it's something you won't soon forget! Look for us at CES 2008 and at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. In the meantime, check out what everybody's buzzing about here:

One love, Souris