Toronto Stereographer Portelli Wins Lumiere Award for Hugo, a Film Nominated for 11 Oscars

Toronto-based stereographer Demetri Portelli spoke at the Stereoscopic 3D Production Seminar recently in Toronto at Pinewood Studios. His most recent work was in Hugo, said to be one of the few enjoyable 3D experiences for movie-goers.

The Canadian stereographer has already won the Lumiere Award for Best Live Action Stereography from the International 3D Society for his work on Hugo, but the movie is also up for 11 possible Oscars at this Sunday's Academy Awards in Los Angeles—the most of any film.

Portelli referenced his Toronto roots as a great place to play around with a camera and that some of the keys to successful 3D production is preparation, figuring out angles for shots beforehand which leads to consistency throughout production, and shooting 3D differently than you would shoot 2D. It certainly didn't hurt to work with legendary Oscar award-winning producer Martin Scorsese either.

Portelli said that the major difference between Hugo's 3D production and many others is that under Scorsese the right team of people were assembled that could work together for the most effective 3D shooting experience. 

Brent Robinson, a Toronto stereographer and underwater cinematographer who also has had 3D experience, mentioned at the seminar that anyone can do 3D production—but must overcome some of the major problems of 3D productions today, which are the lack of experience and technical understanding. Robinson says that you should hire a 3D expert to steer you in the right direction. 

Portelli, on the other hand—who graduated from the University of Toronto in 1995—should be a leading example for other Canadian directors and producers to follow suit in his footsteps. Since directing music videos and short films in the early part of his career he has dedicated himself completely to the technology and the art of the 3D motion picture. His work hasn't stopped at Hugo, either, as he introduced 3D capture to British cinematographer John Mathesion for the movie 47 Ronin that is set to be released late this year on November 21st. He also has a long history of other film credits that you can view here. 

The latter just goes to show that the embracement of technology combined with the passion to use technology correctly can go a long ways in propelling one's career forward. Portelli has helped show the motion picture industry that in the challenging world of 3D there are no shortcuts towards award-winning performances.