3D Live & Lifeway College; 3D, Holograms and the Rugby World Cup
Students of Lifeway College’s Diploma in Advanced 3D Animation had the privilege of hearing from one of New Zealand’s
most innovative companies, 3D Live; a company focused on utilizing the latest in film and computer graphics technology
to create stunning 3D imagery used in live events, movies, television and even next-year’s Rugby World Cup.
Based in Auckland, 3D Live specializes in numerous visual mediums, from the increasingly prominent stereoscopic 3D, to
fog screens and even holography, all designed for the purpose of generating the most spectacular and immersive viewing
experience possible.
“We are actually the only company in New Zealand that can make life-sized holograms. We film in 3D (Stereoscopic), but
it’s the holographic elements around that that are all created in 2D… It’s an illusion…This is where we are really
looking forward to utilizing some of Lifeway College’s students.”- Ronel Schodt, Managing Director, 3D Live
During the lecture, Lifeway students were wowed by various pieces of work produced by 3D Live, including that of a
famous performance by Madonna from the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. In this performance, Madonna was presented as a
seamless holographic image, alongside the Gorillaz, a band consisting entirely of computer-generated characters. The
integration of holography in this instance allowed Madonna to seamlessly interact with the CG band members live on
stage, and do so in a completely convincing manner, directly before the eyes of thousands of fans. This is the kind of
CG that Lifeway College is training its student in.
3D Live hopes to maintain a strong working relationship with Lifeway College who are known to consistently produce some
of the best 3D animation graduates in the country. Lifeway College graduates work in film, television, geology,
architecture, and digital-media advertising campaigns.
“We’ve got a couple of documentaries we’re working on, some TV shows, even the Rugby World Cup which will be filmed in
3D. I’m really hoping that we can make use of Lifeway College students, because I think their expertise is really not
even entry level. I really think that they could walk into a job tomorrow and get on with the work.”-Ronel Schodt
With the 3D industry constantly pressing forward with new technological developments, Lifeway College is making every
effort to keep its training as relevant as possible, ensuring the best possible job prospects for graduates of its
Diploma in Advanced 3D Animation.
“Companies like 3D Live are at the forefront of the changes we are seeing in Digital Media. It’s exciting for Lifeway
College to be partnering with such a great company to provide enhanced training and outcomes for our students”,
Principal Craig Hansen.
ENDS