21st Century - 3D Cinema

Two massive topics relevant to the 21st Century Developments in Film module is 3D and Piracy.

They often divide the industry, and there are many arguments for and against each, within their own contexts.

In most exam questions, you should be able to refer to both.

Not only that but be able to demonstrate understanding of both sides of this argument. (evaluate)

You should be able to appreciate their importance in a world where audience behaviours are shifting, and institutional responses must shift in reaction.


Can anyone make a link between the two, when it comes to a development, audience behaviour, and institutional reaction?

Technological convergence / internet / torrents / HDTVs

LEAD TO

Piracy more possible/common to more than before...

LEAD TO

Some audiences take advantage (even those put off morally might use legal methods instead)

LEAD TO

Physical Cinema Attendances down

LEAD TO

In an attempt to counter this and protect their revenue, cinema institutions ‘improve’ the experience by offering 3D, in order to entice audiences back, and justify higher ticket prices.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF 3D FILMS
Shot in 3D vs Converted in Post Production

James Cameron

Cameron, whose 2009 box-office hit Avatar opened the floodgates for movies using the effect, told a forum in Mexico City that Hollywood was "not using 3D properly".

"It's one thing to shoot in 3D and another to convert to 3D," he said

"Studios were simply trying "to make money," he added, by "pushing 3D to directors who are not comfortable or do not like 3D".

Cameron continued: "Man of Steel, Iron Man 3 and all those movies should not necessarily be in 3D. If you spend $150m on visual effects, the film is already going to be spectacular, perfect."


Danny Boyle

3D movies may be nothing more than a "phase", according to Oscar-winning British director Danny Boyle.

Boyle said he was not a fan of 3D and doubted it would survive.

"I don't use 3D," he said. "I'm a spectacle wearer, so I hate going to 3D movies because you have to wear two pairs of spectacles. You know how everybody feels a bit of prat wearing 3D spectacles? You as a spectacle wearer feel a double prat."

“I don't know if 3D will survive to be honest. I think it may be a phase."

James Cameron

“If I thought it was a gimmick I'd be the biggest idiot in history, to be so dedicated to developing 3D equipment. Every single thing I've ever said in public about 3D is about quality... so it's really, I think, about delivering a quality product to the screen. If you want to make a movie in 3D, make the movie in 3D!” 

Louis Leterrier

‘Clash Of The Titans’ director Louis Leterrier hit the headlines this week after calling the conversion of his 2010 fantasy adventure into 3D ‘absolutely horrible’.

The director didn’t hold back as he told The Huffington Post: “It was famously rushed and famously horrible. It was absolutely horrible, the 3D. Nothing was working, it was just a gimmick to steal money from the audience.

3D films lose lustre as home-grown hits win cinema box-office battle

Link

3D films set for popularity slide

Link

How the film industry blew it with 3D
Link


Make a list of films shot in 3D and those converted in post production later…
http://www.realorfake3d.com/


What are the pros and cons of each?

Shot in pros +

• Better quality product
• Increases immersion
• Justifies higher ticket price

Shot in cons -

• More expensive
• Requires specialist cameras/crew 
• Longer post production

Converted pros +

• Cheaper
• Faster 
• Can be done last minute

Converted cons -

• Cheaper (visually) 
• Seen as gimmick 
• Not as good quality