P3D Re: ..3-D for the masses

[Greg Kintz <gkintz@xxxxxxxx>]

Gecko <gecko@xxxxxxxxxx> had originally wrote:
>> ...If a feature film were done by Spielberg, Lucas, or Cameron and
>>released in theaters in 2D, (but actually filmed in 3D) then filmgoers
>>wouldn't have a preconceived notion of the 3D film.  If the film is a
>>success, then maybe a year later, rerelease it in 3D, it's original
>>form.
>
>>I think it would draw a larger crowd in 3D, and being a success the
>>first time would assure movie theaters for success of it's 2nd run.
>
>>Comments?

Many here have brought up comments that 3-D films often look "gimicky"
when viewed in 2-D, ...or that releasing a 2-D version first would
hurt the 3-D release. On the other hand, I think Gecko's idea has very
strong merit.
In the early fifties it was not uncommon to shoot two versions of the
1st Cinemascope films, due to the lack of widescreen theateres and
for safty if the ultra-wide 2.55:1 Cinemascope format did not catch
on. For safty, the 1st 'Scope film "The Robe" was shot in standard
1.33:1, Cinemascope 2.55:1, *and* in 3-D!
Now I am not proposing shooting a 3-D film twice, but am proposing
very slight editing of 2-D releases. Some shots which might look
great in 3-D will look bad in 2-D, unless it is well integrated
into the film. Editing would helps preseve the class and other merits
of a film in it's 2-D distribution, and not just labeled as "another
cheezy 3-D movie". If called for, some scenes may need to be shot
twice for the 2-D and 3-D versions. This is already done today for
"R" and "PG" ratings, and for eventual TV release.
What Gecko proposes could be done. Shoot your your (big budget) film
in 3-D. Archive the raw left-right prints, and use one for your 2-D
theatrical edit. If the film makes money and is hailed as a winner
by the critics, release a later version in 3-D. The special effects
are now mostly digital, so re-rendering them in stereo is not a big
deal, if this contigency is planned ahead of time. Hasn't Lucas been
pulling something close to this with consumers for the last couple
of years? "Your last chance to get Star-Wars!!" Give me a break!
Hmmm.. Just a thought,

    -Greg-


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