Metadata - 3D Postproduction: Stereoscopic Workflows and Techniques - page 235

What is unique about 3D metadata is that it can also provide information
about the geometry of the shooting space for real-time analysis (and
correction in some cases) as well as for later informed tweaking in post.
A well-considered metadata plan can reduce the number and complexity
of iterations during post and the associated cost to the show of these
iterations. Proper design and implementation of a metadata workl ow
for your 3D show allows producers to maximize i nancial and creative
investments by reducing the need for re-shoots and/or expensive post
re-work.
Metadata provides decision makers with the information about the changing
nature of various optical, mechanical and electronic sub-systems in the
imaging path in a modern digital imaging system. Getting the correct
metadata up front may mean the difference between a post budget blown on
technical i xes. In this author's view, post budgets should be spent primarily
on creating a space for the creative team to put the i nishing touches on their
imagery so that show achieves the team's vision.
The Space-Time Continuum
Just as a clock allows trains to operate on the same track without running
into each other or blocking each other, the heartbeat tying all of a show's
metadata together is a clock generating its own metadata—a timecode
signal. Timecode, itself a stream of metadata, allows systems to synchronize
specii c metadata to specii c frames, or, in some cases, to slices of time
within frames.
One of the major challenges of post production in 2D and 3D is to re-link
metadata to essence data once it has been broken, either purposely (for
example, to conduct a i le transcode that does not transfer metadata along
with essence data) or accidentally (for example, a power outage in a system
that causes an interruption in the essence data or metadata stream). Because
of the reliance of 3D on metadata to maintain the delicate illusion, these
breaks can be even riskier (more schedule- and budget-damaging) than in
a corresponding 2D show.
Test and Check
You must test your proposed metadata workl ow before you can come up
with an accurate estimate of resources. Your service provider(s) should be
able to go from image acquisition to i nal deliverable or help you discover
a way that their toolset can work with yours in terms of metadata.