Top 3D producer to speak at Durban FilmMart

He will also cover the building and development of the London studio and the putting in place of a global pipeline and infrastructure in order to meet demand. There will also be an overview of 3D as whole, covering broadcast, commercials, and live events and everything in between.

He joins other key players in the industry such as, Juliane Schulze, Peter Broderick, Helen Kuun, Don Edkins, Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich and Bruni Burres, who bring the latest in global film industry developments and trends to the continent's premier film market.

"Exciting time for the film-making industry"

His visit has been made possible through the sponsorship of Durban's COA Group and Microsoft, which together has sponsored the digital focus stream of Durban FilmMart 2011. The Durban-based COA Group provides customised audio visual and digital production pipeline solutions to the digital content creation markets.

Durban Film Office (DFO) acting CEO Toni Monty says, "This is an extremely exciting time for the film-making industry worldwide and to have somebody of the calibre of Bristowe, as one of our key speakers, is a coup for the DFM."

Bristowe began his production career at MPC as a DI producer, where he worked on major feature film projects including 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead, Troy and 10 000 BC. His dedication and expert knowledge of issues both creative and technical, led him to assume the role of senior DI producer when MPC was taken over by Technicolor in 2009.

His essential input to feature films such as Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes and Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox, reaffirmed his status in the industry. He has recently led the London arm of Prime Focus 3-D in the 2D to 3D conversion of Lucasfilm's Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, which was completed across Prime Focus' global facilities in LA, London and Mumbai.

"New era of 3D story telling"

"It's fair to say that one of the key developments in the film Industry over the last 12-18 months is the dawn of a new era of 3D story telling," comments Bristowe. "The company has, and continues to play a pivotal role in this through its global stereo conversion pipeline. We have enabled filmmakers to continue to shoot in 2D, but still create the highest quality 3D output in order to maximise the impact in theatres, not just from a creative perspective, but from a point of increased revenue as well.

"Just over 12 months ago, I was recruited to establish and lead the London facility. What started out, as a handful of VFX artists in a small rented space, has quickly grown to 100+ personnel, fully trained and ready to compete for some of the largest stereo projects hitting the cinemas.

"I'm pleased to say that our global operation has been extremely successful, with some significant projects being completed in the last 12 months, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, Green Lantern, Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon, Shrek, andThe Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

COA Group marketing and research director Ross Joughin says, "Never before has there been more opportunity for companies to market themselves and compete internationally (if they have the skills), irrespective of geographic location."

Durban FilmMart (22-25 July) is a joint venture between the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) (21-31 July) created to raise the visibility of projects from the African continent and to facilitate financing and networking opportunities with potential co-producers and other industry players.

To register as a delegate, go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/DelegateRegistration.aspx.