Re: [photo-3d] 3D movies why aren't there more?

[Herbert C Maxey <bmaxey1@xxxxxxxx>]

>>No one seems to bring up the practicality issue of the whole 3d process
>>when they talk about the movies. It takes 2 of everything just to get
the
>>same product. Now add to that how much fun we all have in just trying
to
>>get Realist slides mounted in a reasonable time from when they are
>>processed, imagine the fun of having to keep 2 reels of film in synch
as
>>you work at an editing board to cut and splice a full production movie
>>together! 

Not a big problem - especially with today's equipment. It is more a
matter of public acceptance, quality work and proper projection by
informed projectionists, and theater owners who will provide the
infrastructure. 
 
>>Here the IMAX world is trying to build a market for something different
so
>>they are offering marketing gimmicks (3d) to help offset the cost of
the
>>theater and their format. 
 
Be careful here. Do not refer to 3D as a "Gimmick" It is a legitimate
process. Gimmick is not the best word to use. To be fair, however, I must
say that most pictures in 3D are promoted as 3D and not promoted as great
movies.

>>I don't know of any figures, but I wonder how competitive the IMAX
format
>>and theaters are with the rest of the industry. Someone is backing the
>>format and hoping for it to catch on. I know that George Lucas with the
>>first Star Wars wanted to use IMAX for the film, but at that time there
>>weren't enough theaters to make it practical. That has changed since
78?,
>>but has it changed enough.

The problem with IMAX is cost of setting up a theater. There is no
possible way this format will be used on a large scale. Your local small
theater will not show IMAX because they will not spend the dollars
required. Also, have you noticed that theaters are much smaller these
days? Almost every theater in Salt Lake has been split in half to get
more people in. Gone are the days of really great theaters. Now we have
Super Multi Mega Global Huge-O-Plexes that seat fewer people because the
rooms are smaller. Considering a smaller screen, there is no need for
IMAX. 

Bob