Re: Future of 3D Movies, etc.

[P3D Marvin Jones <72657.3276@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> And don't forget how much they depend on 
> future video sales, to help make a profit.  Who knows when 3-D videos will 
> become widespread enough to make that worthwhile?

Actually, at the moment video is more poised to carry on the next 3D cycle than
the movies. There are at least three or four alternate-field viewing systems
available commercially in a relatively affordable price range right now, and
virtually nothing to watch with them! If the "3D Industry" (and that does belong
in quotes!) could only get its act together, we're in a window of opportunity
right now for the biggest explosion of 3D entertainment since the '50s. The
interest is certainly there, just not the software.

And to answer Jim's question about rotoscoping, it's a technique involving
making tracings of live-action footage. It was used extensively by the Fleischer
brothers in their old cartoons (and to a certain extent by Disney, although they
prefer to deny it)--an actor is filmed doing something, the artist then traces
his position in each frame and creates a cartoon character doing the same
movement with remarkably life-like motion. Variations of the technique are used
in several kinds of special effects, including creating complex and difficult
travelling mattes.


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