Why 3-D?

[P3D William Carter <wc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In about a week and a half, a friend will be presenting arguments to some
producer who's interested in shooting in 3-D. This producer guy makes
independent type, mainstream, theatrical release films. I would like to
showcase the advantages of 3-D, and help him to make the *right* decision.
I'm asking your help for input to the question, "What *are* the advantages
of 3-D?"

I find the "Commin' at you", wowie zowie, paddle-ball kind of 3-D abusive.
The producer does too. I believe that there is a place in film for 3-D, both
as a contribution to the language of the art and as a market incentive, but
without what may be called, "special defects".

In an effort to get to the gut of the question, I wonder why we have evolved
to have 3-D, and what does it mean to us now? What is the emotional impact
of 3-D?

Three things pop immediately to mind:
1. As primates, we needed to quickly and accurately judge tree limbs, and to
develop good hand/eye coordination. 
2. Walking upright would put a premium on our ability to judge local terrain. 
3. Tool making requires an ability to integrate form and structure in a
three dimensional model.

Except for the Cirque du Soleil, we seldom swing from trees any more. Though
these same skills would determine how hard to exhale through a blowgun, or
when to release while shooting hoops. 

Where and how you step, though critical, probably meant more to our
ancestors than it does to the modern city dweller; unless of course you're
in Copenhagen and it's the first week of the spring thaw.

Tools is, still, tools.

Extrapolating the above and applying it to film, I think we can describe
some general candidates for an advantageous applications of 3-D:
* Any POV shot (Point Of View) showing an object closer than, say, 100 feet.
* Any close-up, of any object, that needs to be examined or comprehended.
* Any close to medium shot, to provide a greater sense of "being there", a
greater "suspension of dis-belief", and a heightened sense of intimacy.

Then there are the better documented, less artsy-craftsy advantages of 3-D:
* It will separate a subject from surrounding interference and  clutter.
* It resolves ambiguities by revealing position, form, and structure.
* It defines certain surface properties, like luster and sheen.
* It aids in the determination of slope and relative motion.
* It accesses specialized brain centers and extends "seeing".
* When properly executed, it reduces perceptual work load and fatigue.

So, I conclude that *every* film should be shot in 3-D! Sure, allot of help
that is. 
Any other ideas out there?


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2118
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