Annotated Biography of

CHRIS J. CONDON

PIONEER of 3-D

 

 

"PIONEER of 3-D"

-AMPAS November 3, 2007, Rob Hummel, Director


"CHRIS CONDON HAS KEPT 3-D ALIVE

FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS" - Peter Anderson, ASC

 

Chris J. Condon, Ph.D. (Honorary)

"A LIFE IN THREE DIMENSIONS"

 

Honored "3-D Pioneer" Speaker at seminar for "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science" (AMPAS),  on November 3, 2007.

 

Christo Dimitri Koudounis was born in North Chicago, Illinois and speaks English, Hellenic, and French.

 

1943 - Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program

Air Force College Training Detachment - Rochester, NY

 

Air Force Officer Candidate - Scored highest on entrance written exam

 

1944 - Transferred to Lowry Field, Colorado for Aircraft Armament Training

 

August 1944 - Army Air Force B-24 Combat Crew Training

Awarded Valedictorian Silver Medal in Armament Training- Harlingen, Texas

 

December 2, 1944 - Married Marjorie Mae Hanson

Hammer Field Air Base, Fresno, CA

 

1945 - WWII Overseas Military Service

 

Served in 5th Air Force, B-24 and A-26 combat zone, Southwest Pacific Theatre

 

Experience as combat Crew & Cinematographer, awarded four Bronze Battle Stars

 

1945 - Post-war (Occupation duty, Itami, Japan)

 

Appointed NCO Commander of 1828th Aviation Ordnance Squadron

 

February 1946 - (USA)  Condon and his wife arrived in California

 

Los Angeles - Highest score combination "artistic/technology design" aptitude test, Los Angeles College

Employed:  Douglas Aircraft - Santa Monica, CA

Position:  Industrial engineering trainee/innovator


1947-1948 - Early Entrepreneurship

 

Designer/Founder of Century Precision Optics Co. - North Hollywood, CA

 

Designer and manufacturer of renown ultra sharp light-weight Tele-Athenar telephoto lenses

 

Noted telephoto lens clients:  Nature and wildlife Cinematographers, Bruce Brown, Greg MacGillivary, and Greg Noll

 

Wildlife cinematographers for Walt Disney's "True Life Adventures"

Oscar-winning TV and Film series

 

Organizations joined:  Air Force Association, Chapter #266

Treasurer, San Fernando Valley Squadron

Personally associated with General Jimmy Stewart and General Jimmy Doolittle, C.M.H. (Congressional Medal of Honor)

 

1952 - Organization joined:  SMPTE

(Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers)

Awarded two bronze plaques for technical presentations

 

1953 - First associated with renown "House of Wax" Director Andre deToth, (also known for being a one-eyed stereo photography genius)

Condon later co-produced a sculpture related documentary filmed in 35mm 3-D StereoVision with deToth in 1986.

 

Chris and his wife attended the Hollywood premiere of "House of Wax" ultimately spearheading his 40-year career in 3-D filmmaking.

 

1953 - Issued his First U.S. Patent for 3-D projection lens system

 

1958 - 1960  - Special Technical Instructor

Columbia College of Hollywood - Movie Optics Instructor

 

1963  - Co-wrote new edition of American Cinematography Manual for ASC with co-writer Joseph Mascelli

 

1968 - 1969 - Issued his Second U.S. Patent for world's 1st Single-Camera 3-D Motion Picture Lens

Product Name:  "Magnavision 3-D", Co-designer/Partner:  Allan Silliphant

 

Specifications:  Camera lens renders two,  "side-by-side" anamorphized (squeezed) images on each frame of 35mm film stock.  Note:  Initial footage filmed with this lens was demonstrated to several producers including Andy Warhol and Paul Morrisse

 

1969-1971 - Establishment and success of Magnavision Corp.

 

Productions:  "The Stewardesses" in StereoVision* 3-D (MPAA rated 'R')

became the third feature movie produced by Condon and Allan Silliphant

Note:  "The Stewardesses" became the 6th highest grossing general release film of  1971.  As reported by weekly periodical "Variety"

 

*Company name changed to "StereoVision International, Inc." not to be confused with "Stereo Vision Entertainment, Inc." whose President John Honour has fraudulently purported  that he produced "The Stewardesses".

 

1971 - Organization joined:  IFPA (Information Film Producers of America, Inc.)

 

1971 - Condon and Silliphant co-founded Sierra Pacific Airlines

 

1972 - Issued his Third U.S. Patent

Product:  Special widescreen 3-D camera lens for modern 35mm and 70mm reflex motion picture cameras

 

1972 - 1980  - Co-produced several 3-D feature films such as "The Volcano Creature", "The CIA Girls of Capitol Hill", and "Mr. Howard's Crazy Airline"

 

1973 - StereoVision International, Inc. is re-organized

 

Chris J. Condon, President/CEO of StereoVision

 

Marjorie M. Condon (wife), Vice-President/CFO

 

CLIENTS SERVED

 

"ANDY WARHOL'S FRANKENSTEIN" in 3-D.  Chris Condon, 3-D projection lenses and polarized 3-D glasses supplier, Exhibitor Consultant

 

Eastern Media 3-D "DYNASTY", 3-D projection lens supplier and consultant

 

Monarch Releasing 3-D "FANTASTIC INVASION OF PLANET EARTH"

 

"THE WILD RIDE" 3-D (short subject), Chris Condon, Producer

 

"THE VOLCANO CREATURE AND THE SURFER GIRLS", Chris Condon, Co-Producer and Director of 3-D Photography

 

Feature film "MR. HOWARD'S CRAZY AIRLINE", Chris Condon, Producer, Co-writer, Director of 3-D Photography, and Distributor

 

Feature 3D Cinema Productions, "THE C.I.A. GIRLS OF CAPITOL HILL",

Chris Condon, Co-producer, Director of 3-D Photography, and Distributor

 

1971-1974 - Condon-Silliphant Co. distribution of 3-D films USA and Canada

 

Client:  Warner Bros. Classics,  "HOUSE OF WAX" (1953) 3-D

Note:  StereoVision rented the 3-D projection lenses to over 400 theaters for all Warner Bros.' 1982 re-releases of abovementioned film in addition to Hitchcock's "DIAL M FOR MURDER" in 3-D

 

1982 - Chris Condon awarded U.S., Canada, Japan, and India,

patent for Wide-Screen 3-D camera lens for reflex 35mm movie cameras

 

1969 to Present - Condon's StereoVision remains the major U.S. supplier of 3-D camera rental lenses and 3-D rental projection optics for theatrical exhibition to over 2,000 movie theatres

Note:  To date, polarized 3-D film (celluloid) projection is still available.  Condon's associates currently rent polarized 3-D film (celluloid) attachments.

 

CLIENTS

 

1983 - Cinematographer and Chief 3-D Consultant to production of highest grossing 3-D film of all time -- "Jaws 3-D"

 

Title:  "COMIN' AT YA!"  (1981), Distributor: Cannon Releasing

Note:  After completion of principal photography, SVI (StereoVision International, Inc.) produced USA 3-D titles in English (from Spanish), provided consultation on 3-D print preparation to the lab and 3-D projection rental services to theatres

 

StereoVision was appointed rental supplier of 3-D projection lenses throughout the U.S. and Canada for abovementioned film, and "HOUSE OF WAX", "FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3", "SPACE HUNTER", "STAR CHASER", and "DYNASTY"

 


1981 - 1985 - Feature films photographed in StereoVision 3-D

 

Production Title:  "PARASITE", starring Demi Moore

Producer: Charles Band, 3-D Lenses: Chris Condon

Note:  provided consultation on 3-D cinematography, was the supplier of all 3-D camera optics and 3-D projection lenses to every exhibitor throughout the USA, Canada, and France

 

Title:  "JAWS 3-D"  (1983)

Co-producers:  Alan Landsberg, Rupert Hitzig

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Note:  Condon was chief 3-D Consultant throughout the entire production, post-production, and worldwide distribution.  This extended to his 3-D consultation to the special effects unit in North Hollywood, CA

 

Prior to its theatrical release in 900 theaters by Universal Pictures, SVI, Condon's company was hired to conduct numerous 3-D projection seminars held in many major cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

 

After the film's opening, StereoVision's 3-D projection optics were rented to over 400 theaters in the U.S.A. and Canada

 

Note:  "JAWS 3-D" is the most profitable polarized 3-D film to date

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Production Title:  "METALSTORM"  (1983), starring Kelly Preston

Released by:  Universal Pictures/Empire Productions

Rotoscope Special Effects Supervisor primarily used 3-D camera lenses provided by StereoVision

 

StereoVision was supplier of all 3-D projection lenses to each exhibitor

throughout the USA, Canada, and France

 

1984 - CHOTA CHETAN

India's first 3-D feature film was produced entirely with StereoVision, Int'l 3-D camera lenses, including technical and artistic consultation provided by Chris Condon, became a successful children's film on epic proportions


1985 -  Letter of Commendation from Warner Bros, by Mr. Terry Semel, President

 

Numerous 3-D production consultations and 3-D lense rentals for production and exhibition

 

Reebok athletic wear:  "DANCE PARTY in 3-D"

Venue:  Fashion industry sales rallies throughout the Orient

 

Condon's 3-D lenses are used at Scientific and Educational venues in Japan

NIGAATA, GALAPAGOS ISLAND, SHURI BRIDGE, HOKKAIDO, and many other Japanese 3-D short subjects are produced by Dentsu-Prox of Tokyo, Japan

3-D Lenses, Chris Condon

Abovementioned are also shown at various educational venues throughout Japan including, but not limited to, children's museums

 

1985 -  Letter of Commendation, SMPTE, for "Large Format" presentation

 

1985 - 1990 -  Condon's 70mm 3-D for Numerous Venue Promotions

in France and Japan

 

The following projects were filmed and projected in Condon's 70mm 3-D systems:

 

Expo 85, Japan

Production Title:  "ETERNAL MAN AND IRON"

Filmed in Condon's new format "Ten Perf 70!  3-D

Producer:  Dentsu-Prox, Tokyo, Japan

Large Screen (90 feet wide)

Client:  Tetsuren Steel Pavillion Expo '85

 

1987 -  Letter of Commendation by American Society of Cinematography (ASC)

 

1987 -  IMAX enlarged Condon's 70mm 3-D technology for aerial camera mounted scenes in "WINGS OF COURAGE" starring Val Kilmer

 

1987 -  Production:  "SUPER STARS AND STRIPES" in 3-D

Producer:  Jeff Kutash  -  Kutash Dancin' Machine  - shown in such venues as Las Vegas, NV and Atlantic City, NJ

 

1989 - Production:  "FAMILY CIRCUS" in 70mm 3-D

Producer:  Extension - Paris

Client:  Renault  -  France

Note:  Film was successfully shown to enthusiastic audiences throughout Europe for Renault automobiles and others

 

May 1991-1993 - Sponsors World's First Special 3-D Movie Festival

Event:  Vagabond 3-D Film Festival

Venue:  Vagabond Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Note:  Condon and partner Mitch Matovich exhibited more 3-D films than anyone else in any single venue to date -- over 30 features and shorts in 3-D single-, and dual-projector

 

1995 - Condon commences creation and cinematography of first spiritual theatrical 3-D film on location in Israel entitled "The Holy Land"

 

1998 - 2000 - A New Generation of Special Venue 3-D projects

 

Note:  Abovementioned projects were all co-produced by Condon who, in concert with his company Stereo Vision Systems, provided 35mm 3-D Camera Lenses and Projection Optics and 3-D Glasses for thousands of theatres worldwide

 

Project Title:  "DIG:  BEYOND INFINITY" in 3-D  (short subject), (youth-oriented sports)

Client:  Radioactive Records

Shown for over a year at Knot's Berry Farm amusement park

 

Subject Title:  "EDGE OF REALITY"  (short 3-D subject)

3-D Consultant:  Chris Condon

Note:  Unique 'Extreme Sports' USA footage includes world's first 3-D close-up of surfing, skate-boarding; rock climbing, and snow boarding

Tent-mounted Theatre Premier -- First showing in a tent-mounted theater at Woodstock '94 and traveled throughout USA and Canada

 

1990  -  3-D's expanding enthusiastic community lauds Condon with

Lifetime Achievement Award

"Our sincere gratitude for the 3-D Film Festival and for his Lifetime Dedication to the Advancement of 3-D Motion Pictures" -- The Stereo Club of Southern California 3-D Movie and Video Division, June 2, 1990

 

1990 - 2005 -  Condon's 3-D technology used for Product Promotion at Special Venues

 

Chevrolet "THE HEARTBEAT OF AMERICA", shown at auto shows and in Holland -- 3-D Lenses, Chris Condon

 

1994 - 3-D presentations at Woodstock '94

 

1998 -  StereoVision 3-D camera lenses used at James Cameron's request for Steadi-Cam filming of "TERMINATOR II 3-D" (T23D), expanded to 70mm 3-D by James Cameron's productions company Lightstorm Entertainment

3-D Lenses:  Chris Condon

 

2000 -  Installed 3-D projection optics for "EDGE OF REALITY" at Knot's Berry Farm amusement park

 

2002 -  Condon begins principal 3-D photography on his legacy feature film "The Young Liberators", the exciting true story of America's most decorated air mission of World War II

 

2001 -  Production Title:  "I LOST MY M IN VEGAS", filmed in 3-D StereoVision and StereoScope 3-D

Client:  MGM Hotel/Casino Las Vegas, NV

 

2005 -  Condon's StereoVision 3-D lenses return to France and win Awards

Production Title:  "LA REVOLE", a spectacular 3-D musical featurette for Wine Consortium special venue, Wine Museum, Rheims, France

Domenique Bennecheti, Producer, Director

Also reviewed with critical acclaim in 2006 at Disney's 70mm screening room in North Hollywood, CA

 

2007 -  3-D theatrical documentary film in production "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS" utilizing 35mm 3D footage filmed in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and many other historic/religious locations -- anticipated theatrical release in 2008!

 


CHRIS J. CONDON SUMMARY

 

1959 - Advanced Education

 

1962 - President's Award, St. Nicholas Church, Northridge, CA

 

1969 - First 3-D U.S. Patent Issued

 

           Certificate:  Optical Design & Engineering, - U.C.L.A.

 

           Certificate:  Special Optical Effects for Motion Pictures - U.S.C.

 

1972 - Faculty, Columbia College, Hollywood, CA, Motion Picture Optics

 

1976 - Honorary Membership:  StereoKino, Moscow

 

1983 - Certificate:  3-D Motion Picture Technologies  -  U.S.C. Cinema

 

1984 - Honary Membership, India Society of Cinematography

 

1986 - Honorary Banquet, Dentsu, Japan

 

1992 -  Honorary Doctorate Degree:  Doctorate in Scientific Research -

            Instituto de Recherche, Naples, Italy

 

2003 -  Technical Seminar in Three Dimensional Imaging, Chris J. Condon, Keynote Speaker, 3-D Technical Symposium - San Jose, CA, sponsored by SPIE (Society for Photographic Instrumentation Engineers)

 

2007 -  "PIONEER of 3-D", Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS)

 

2008 -  Inventor of NEW 3-D™.  The world's most advanced three dimensional motion picture system.


CHRIS J. CONDON PUBLICATIONS:

 

American Cinematography Manual, 1963

 

Principles of Quality 3-D Motion Picture Presentation published by the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) in 1983

 

A New Large Format 70mm 10P65 Camera Design, SMPTE, 1988

 

Manual of 3-D Cinematography and Projection, 2008 (co-author)

 

Chris J. Condon has been involved as a 3-D motion picture Producer, Consultant, Distributor, and Director of 3-D Cinematography on over 40 3-D feature films, documentaries, and shorts in as many years.

He can be reached at: (818) 288-7919.