…Especially when that flying object comes flying out of the screen!
With every recent Hollywood blockbuster available in 3D I ask myself if this is a new technology that makes entertainment better, or if it’s simply a throwback to the cinema experience of the 1920s.
Developments in technology and the film industry might determine if 3D trend here to stay or a technology gimmick that will a be a stamp on the second decade of the 21st century. How will 3D affect our work and devices? Will I have to wear those goofy glasses in order to do my job?
Why is 3D so popular?
For one, it sells. What a great way for the movie industry to offset the audience created by the growing segment of home movie viewers. We all know it is now more economic to wait for that movie to come out on Tivo or Netflix (which are gearing by the way into broadcasting 3D soon) than spending $80 for the family at a theatre (popcorn included). So your nearest movie theatre will charge $3 to $7 more for a 3D movie compared to a regular viewing.
But we’re only talking about movies. What about TV content? Should we get as excited about American Idol in 3D? Maybe not, but TV producers can be as resourceful as movie producers to generate a new audience, and we might see in a near future more TV shows geared for a better showtime for a 3D audience at home.
I still have a puzzling question in the back of my mind: do I need to buy a new 3D TV, when I just bought a new flat screen TV 2 years ago to watch the brand new release of The Bridges of Madison County on Blu-Ray?? Since I shed a tear for that movie every time, my 3D glasses might fog up!
As a consumer, I am confused by the different technologies out there.
Samsung doesn’t use the same viewing glasses as Sony, and does it mean one is better than the other? Yes there are manufacturers out there with TV screens that don’t require glasses, but so far, the picture quality is less than satisfactory.
A few companies, like GoPro, have introduced this year hardware and software support for 3D. Now instead of one camera, you get two (but not for the price of one) so that you can film your skydiving jump, or your mountain bike ride, and edit it at home on your PC. They have simplified the filming and editing steps so that anyone can create their own 3D movies to be posted on Youtube. And that’s where I can see an application for it, because the “wow” factor works with motion and action.
I can also see the practical application of a 3D monitoring display for surgery, or any other scientific field of research that would benefit of a three dimensional environment.
The Current 3D Experience
I don’t want to be cynical, but there are a lot of signs proving 3D isn’t a new way to enjoy a feature film. The first one being: it’s not new! Our theaters are bigger, the images sharper, the sound crisper and louder and with James Cameron’s help, it’s all shot in digital format. But the only improvement in 3D is how we view it. From Anaglyphic red and blue glasses, to polarization, alternative-frame sequencing, and auto-stereoscopic, there’s many different methods to make that monster appear to reach beyond the screen.
Nonetheless, news articles, customer surveys, and recent studies all agree: 3D can be a painful experience. The pain comes primarily from poor video editing, pulling on some eye muscles that are not meant to be strained- Just like that carpal tunnel syndrome with your computer mouse! Catching a 3D flick here or there won’t send you to the hospital- the most common effect reported is dizziness.
These feelings are caused by misalignment during the editing process mainly, as the editor might not properly set up the 3D planes. And low-quality recycled glasses with warped lenses can cause even more discomfort.
Unfortunately, many Hollywood feature films are poorly rendered in 3D, and only a few are ready for a pleasant experience. But it’s just the beginning, and the flaws that come from the start may disappear as the industry fine tunes 3D techniques. But for now, the audience is still left with a pair of glasses to wear, yes even if you have a 20/20 vision! Or worse, if you don’t have a good vision, you have to now wear a double pair of glasses!
What it means for the interactive world
I see an interesting use of 3D online through digital channels. Wouldn’t it be cool to explore the inside of a car in 3D? Or spin that shoe around in front of your nose before you order it online? For me personally, as a video editor, it’s an other technical challenge that I’m ready to learn.
From the NAB show in Vegas this year, I did learn that it wasn’t an easy learning curve, and also that software manufacturer were actually challenged. 3D editing almost doubles the hardware requirements of regular editing, and because of the complex nature of it, it is a interface design challenge as well. But all of this put aside, we must consider our audience, and just like a plugin to download and add to a browser, we are asking them to make a step towards a new viewing system.
So far Hollywood is showing no signs of slowing down its 3D film production, and might impose on us a new way of entertainment to be the standard. There are still room for improvements, and I can’t wait for the day where this holographic feature film is jumping at while I’m savoring my popcorn, with no glasses!
Yet, the audience might get tired of the trend and realize that watching a movie in theaters is becoming expensive. I still rather enjoy beautifully shot cinematography and a great script on a 2D screen, but that’s just the photographer in me speaking.
No matter how much we advance, I’m reminded of a quote from director Christopher Nolan: “I don’t particularly enjoy watching films in 3D because I think that a well-shot and well-projected film has a very three-dimensional quality to it, so I’m somewhat sceptical of the technology.”
