3D Entertainment News

Mantello Brothers' First Feature Film 'OCEANS 3D' Enters Digital 3D Post-Production Phase

'OCEANS 3D: Voyage of a Turtle' is set to become the first feature-length documentary ever filmed and released in Digital 3D

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and LONDON, June 23 PRNewswire Filmmakers Jean-Jacques and Francois Mantello (the Mantello Brothers) are pleased to announce their first feature-length film, "OCEANS 3D: Voyage of a Turtle" (working title). The film entered the digital 3D post-production phase last week. The 85-minute long feature is expected to be completed this September for an anticipated domestic release during the first half of 2009.

"OCEANS 3D" tells the story of Aris the sea turtle who embarks on a journey across the oceans in search of the origin of mysterious, far away calls. As moviegoers experience the beauty and diversity of the oceans in stunning 3D, Aris encounters both her friends and her predators. What she finally discovers is that the greatest threat to the fate of ocean life doesn't lie beneath the waves, but in the hands of the people from above.

"OCEANS 3D" is produced by 3D Entertainment and McKinney Underwater Productions, and is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme. The film is directed by Jean-Jacques Mantello and produced by Francois Mantello with underwater cinematography by Gavin McKinney. The film is based on an original script developed by Jacques Attali and written by Pierre Alain de Garrigues and Dr. Elisabeth Mantello. It will feature an original score by Christophe Jacquelin.

"After six years of production and 25 expeditions at some of the most remote locations on earth, we are more than thrilled to see our multi-million dollar film moving in the right direction," said Francois Mantello, chairman of 3D Entertainment. "Discussions are already underway with numerous US studios and we hope to announce a distribution agreement for the US theatrical market in the coming weeks. OCEANS 3D is set to become the first feature- length documentary ever to be both filmed and released in Digital 3D."

"Audiences will feel like divers, completely immersed in this magnificent marine world with giant manta rays, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales, orcas, scorpion fish, Spanish dancers and seahorses, to name a few, revealed for the very first time in Digital 3D," said Jean-Jacques Mantello. "It was also an unprecedented technological adventure for our production crew because we constantly had to re-invent ourselves and adapt our filming habits, and proprietary Digital 3D camera rigs to the extreme conditions we encountered."

Director of Photography Gavin McKinney added, "We spent over 1200 hours in the water to capture 200 hours of what we believe is exceptional footage. The task of framing the image in 3D with animals in the wild is particularly challenging but the experience we have acquired over nearly 10 years shooting underwater films in stereoscopy allowed us to achieve our goal."

In 2001, 3D Entertainment and McKinney Underwater Productions developed an ambitious plan to produce a feature-length documentary film and a 3D "edutainment" film series for IMAX(R) theatres exclusively focused on life beneath the ocean's surface. The three installments already released at IMAX(R) theatres, including this year's "DOLPHINS AND WHALES 3D: Tribes of the Ocean" presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau and narrated by Daryl Hannah, have proven highly successful, cumulatively generating in excess of USD 60 million and counting at the box office.

About 3D Entertainment

3D Entertainment is a British privately held company specializing in the production of unique and innovative underwater-themed 3D documentaries for IMAX theatres and Digital 3D Cinemas worldwide. Its mission is to immerse audiences of all ages in unique 3D story-driven experiences that inspire and educate on the vital need to protect the oceans and their inhabitants. The company has developed an original growth strategy based on the overall control of all production- and post-production-related aspects of its documentary films. In 2007, a separate business unit, 3D Entertainment Distribution, was created to oversee all non-production-related activities from IMAX theatrical rights sales, film marketing, promotional events and educational outreach programs, to the development of ancillary markets. For more information, visit the company's corporate website at http://www.3DEfilms.com

About McKinney Underwater Productions

McKinney Underwater Productions provides its underwater filmmaking expertise and facilities to production units for feature films, TV series and still photography. Past works include the James Bond film The World is Not Enough, The Abyss, Splash and Cocoon, to name a few. In 2001, the company headed by Gavin McKinney, a native of the Bahamas, joined 3D Entertainment in the production of underwater documentaries for IMAX theatres and Digital 3D Cinemas worldwide. For more information, visit the company's corporate website at http://www.gavinmckinney.com

Press Contact: Karen Raz, RAZ Public Relations, +1 310-450-1482, karen@razpr.com http://www.OCEANS3D.com http://www.3DEfilms.com IMAX is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation

SOURCE 3D Entertainment

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