Alyssa Wejebe / Roundup
3-D technology has grown into an entertainment giant for studios and theaters with critical hits like James Cameron’s “Avatar.”
3-D technology with glasses has existed long ago in the 50s before computer generated 3-D, according to Jennifer Penton, assistant professor of cinema and multimedia at Pierce College.
Ken Windrum, adjunct professor of cinema at Pierce Caollege, said that it went even further back before film itself, when it was just 3-D photography. He pointed out the
“View-Master” as an example, an old binocular-like children’s toy that showed 3-D photography.
The first 3-D film was “Bwana Devil,” premiering in 1952, with several more others coming out until 1955, according to Windrum.
Windrum noted that most 3-D films at the time failed to follow Hitchcock’s “fairly straight forward” example, instead becoming sensationalistic when they used goofy and obvious visuals.
As a result of this, people did not take 3-D seriously.
Windrum explained that the biggest problem with early 3-D cinema was that it only showed “second rate stuff,” not “good” movies.
He listed other problems with early 3-D cinema, mainly technical issues, such as glasses that sometimes caused headaches.
3-D was pretty much dead by the late 50’s according to Windrum. He said the technology did experience occasional comebacks in cinema, such as 3-D pornography in the 70s.
Windrum praised today’s technology as “an amazing thing,” though he had apprehensions about it being used in all movies.
This sentiment was mirrored by Michael Hoggan, assistant professor of film production at CSUN, who said that this technology shouldn’t be used for dialogue scenes.
Hoggan imagined that horror films would be great though, with all sorts of walking terrors jumping out at the audience.
“Any action is a lot more interesting in 3-D.”
Hoggan enjoys the improvements in the new 3-D visuals.
“Glasses in the beginning were like cardboard, with different colored gels,” said
Hoggan, “[Now, they are] very light…hardly feel pressure on the nose.”
Penton said it is now simpler to create 3-D effects, since everyone is “piggybacking” on failed and successful experiments.
“Technology has just gotten more refined,” Penton said.
Even televisions with 3-D technology have entered the market, according to the Boston Herald online.
In response, ESPN has shared plans online to launch a 3-D television network for their sports coverage.
Hoggan expressed some mild interest in the new development.
“I would be curious just to watch and see what it looked like.”
According to Penton, throughout media’s history, the more gorgeous and life-like the visuals, the more appreciative the audience.
“Human beings love eye candy,” said Penton.
3-D visuals undergone a resurgence in popularity recently in both movies and television. (Photo Illustration/Louie Heredia/Roundup)
