What Do You Think of 3D?
3D is becoming all the rage, and understandably so. After blockbusters like Avatar and the introduction of 3D to the consumer market from such industry giants as DirectTV and ESPN, 3D is expected to be the next big step forward in our market.
Per the announcement posted recently by SportsVideo.org – Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro says the ESPN 3D announcement parallels where HDTV was six years ago. “This is a turning point for 3D,” he says.
So… what do YOU think about 3D? We would be interested in hearing from you. Care to weigh in on the topic…?
What are your thoughts about 3D – Is it really the next ‘big’ thing or a waste of time and money?
Have you successfully done any 3D recording? If so, what has been your experience?
Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!
3D is only really a viable option for big budget pictures. These films are either shot in 3D or turned 3D in post. Either way the work flow for 3D is arduous and expensive so indie production are going to stay 2D. As an indie filmmaker, it’s tough enough to shoot and edit a film, let alone budget and edit a 3D film. So the indie market will primarily always be a 2D market.
When it comes to the movie theater experience. I have the feeling that most animated features are going to be in 3D. When you go to the theater you’ll be able to choose, 2D, 3D, or 3D IMAX. 3D in the home will eventually take hold, but the biggest hurdle is getting people comfortable in wearing the glasses. When you go to a 3D film in the theater, it is an event. So you make a concession and wear the glasses. When you go over to a friends house for a football game, or if you’re sitting in your living room by yourself, you’re just not conditioned to want to wear glasses. Also, the 3D technology used in theaters is vastly different, and of much lower quality, than the 3D you can currently watch in your home. A real quality revolution for 3D in the home needs to take place before it can be widely accepted or adopted.
Rob,
I happen to agree with you.
I also think we are seeing the beginning of some amazing things to come. There is still a lot of work to be done in developing a 3-D experience for the viewer. People in the know tell me that the production elements (i.e. cameras, lens) and the post production elements and how to exercise them are works in progress. We at Fast Forward Video can provide the recording solution and that is a small part of the 3-D workflow. But I have to tell you that in a few years the 3-D experience will be great.
Remember when HD was first introduced, we all had difficulty in adjusting to it and working with it. Today, the tools are both available and the prices are affordable to the indie market. I believe we are going to go through the same cycle.
Regards,
Harry Glass
VP Sales
Fast Forward Video
I am not entirely crazy about the idea or need of 3-D. Not to sound like a fuddy-duddy, but I just don’t think it adds that much… more that I find it rather distracting. I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago on exactly this topic:
http://benjamineckstein.com/2010/02/do-we-need-3-d/
I have to disagree with both the previous comments.
3D does not have to be the preserve of the big budget movie.
I shot Dark Country in 2007 on a $4.7M budget, a lot less than Avatar!
The technology has moved on, a lot of the people involved in 3D are stuck in the past but then there are people who are not!
The shooting and the post are now pretty straightforward.
I believe that subtle use of 3D can add an enormous amount to a story.
http://www.gboyle.co.uk/dark-country.html
Sorry guys, but I have been watching the developments in 3D and it is not an expensive process only for big budget movies. I am even doing 3D training courses and you would be shocked at what you can get started with. The editing process is not as easy as 2D but it is not rocket science.
As for 3D Home Theater, the new Panasonic Plasma 3D HDTV is nothing short of fantastic. The Samsung 3D LCD HDTV is also excellent, but I consider it #2.
BTW, James Cameron endorsed Panasonic 3D Home Theater and even watched his AVATAR dailies on a 103″ Panasonic 3D Plasma!
Want to see some 3D, go to my web site 3DGuy.tv
I have been shooting 3D for about 5 years now…
My experience is more of a Robert Rodriguez style of shooting
(Limited Budget and crew), so turn key solutions to complete the product had to be developed on the fly.
With use of Gen-locked video cameras like the Cannon XH-G1, the footage has been very good for indie style shooting. We have been adding the EX3′s and the REDs to our work flow with positive results.
The editing and export can be handled on Final Cut pro.
-KD
I been doing a lot of work with the guys (and gals) at: http://www.3DFilmFactory.com
I agree with Geoff. The trick to 3D is learning to effectively use and market it. The old adage of storytelling over technology holds especially true in 3D. I don’t think it is a selling point in and of itself as a lot of people still go to the 2D screenings and some people are incapable of seeing the 3D effect. Here at TV Magic, we are learning about the technology and its equipment and are able to help clients looking to realize a 3D workflow. Like anything else in tech, greater demand will greatly reduce the price on both the creation and consumption sides.
Thanks Brian for your comment.
I am in agreement with you about using 3D effectively. And yes, because 3D is still relatively ‘new’ there is definitely a learning curve to master – which includes technology, equipment and workflow.
Please do tell… what equipment do you use, what’s your workflow, etc?
What combinations have you found to work well?
Would love to hear more about that.
Thanks!
I am excited about the promise that 3D has to offer. I like what I’ve seen so far in Avatar, Coraline and some earlier works. I do think however the home 3D experience is going to be difficult to achieve and won’t hit a mass audience if the viewer is forced to wear special glasses. If someone can invent a video display that does not require special glasses, perhaps like viewing a lenticular post card or something, I think we will have something. The feature film market will get the biggest benefit from this upturn in 3D progress and that is fine because I don’t want to see the theaters go out of business when everyone has a huge flat screen in their living room. Ultimately it all comes back to good storytelling. If the story is good and told in a compelling way, I’ll watch. If 3d helps to move the story along and captures my interest, immersing me in the the environment and bringing me closer to the characters, then bring it on! If it is just another gimmick … Fa-get about it!
btw…for those of you that have been producing 3D content, could you describe your workflow process? I am an independent Video producer doing primarily marketing pieces, but I am thinking if everyone is going to start watching their favorite shows and sports in 3D than I’d better get on the bandwagon creating compelling 3D adverts to go along with them. Commercials can be cool right?