Pre-production, with a specialized software program (FrameForge).

Planning is crucial in 3D, even more than in 2D. Very cautious scouting will help you to prevent a lot of potential problems: check and note all distances, check where the farthest object will be, take into account the encumbrance of the 3D-rig, look for textured surfaces rather than plain surfaces without any 3D clues.

It is strongly recommended to use an optically accurate software program, like FrameForge Previz Studio. It is the solution used by some of the most well-known companies specialized in S3D: Pace/Cameron (USA); Sony 3D (JP/USA); 3ality Digital (USA); Principal Large Format (UK)…

Some studios also use for pre-visualization software programs like Maya or 3DS Max, modified to do this properly in S3D - but this is a much more time-consuming and costy process, usually limited to action sequences.

FrameForge allows to replicate virtually each set with a precision on the order of the centimeter in a very fast way, then to use on these sets any kind of 2D or 3D camera or rig. It allows to calculate automatically or manually the settings adapted to any situation, even the most complex ones - by replicating exactly framing, interaxial, angulation and post-production shift; but also focal length, f/stop, depth of field, camera moves, etc.

In the end the software produce a 3D storyboard exportable to the Internet (so it can be visible for the whole crew, and everybody can have access to the data they need to get the shot). It can also export animations, to visualize complex camera moves.

Lastly, the program allows you to project on a cinema screen the pre-visualization, which allows the team the see in advance the exact 3D effect that will happen in the end, after editing. This is, artistically speaking, a wonderful tool to help collaborative discussions between the director, the cinematographer, the stereographer and the producer.