Alyssa Wejebe
3-D technology has grown into an entertainment giant for studios and theaters with critical hits like James Cameron’s “Avatar.”
But it’s had a long mixed history.
Jennifer Penton, assistant professor of cinema and multimedia at Pierce College, said that 3-D technology with glasses “existed long ago” in the 50s before computer generated 3-D.
Ken Windrum, adjunct professor of cinema at Pierce College, 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.
He said the first 3-D film was “Bwana Devil,” premiering in 1952, with several more others coming out until 1955, including Alfred Hitchcock’s subtly 3-D film, “Dial M for Murder.”
But he said 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. Windrum said that as a result, people could 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 genuinely 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 50s according to Windrum. He said the technology did experience occasional comebacks in cinema, such as 3-D pornography in the 70s.
But Windrum praised today’s technology as “an amazing thing.”
“For certain films, 3-D is appropriate.”
But he said that it could not be used for all movies, doubting that anyone would want a “3-D film about the Holocaust.”
Michael Hoggan, assistant professor of film production at CSUN, said that the technology shouldn’t be used for dialogue scenes, such as in romances and comedies.
He 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 said that he enjoyed the improvement in the new 3-D visuals. “In terms of clarity of image, it’s much better.”
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.”
Glasses needed for watching 3-D have undergone major improvement.
“Glasses in the beginning were like cardboard, with different colored gels,” explained Hoggan.
But he said that the glasses today are more comfortable. “Very light, hardly feel pressure on the nose.”
However, he said he still grew tired of wearing them.
Penton said that she “would’ve thought that, but glasses at the Cinerama Dome” in Hollywood were “wonderful.”
She cited RealD glasses as one of the current options—there is also IMAX 3-D and Dolby 3-D according to the LA Times online.
But Penton said that despite the beauty of 3-D effects, the story should be the most important element.
She used James Cameron’s “Avatar” as an example, saying that the plot was problematic. “It’s kinda like you’
re not really creating the masterpiece you could be.”
re not really creating the masterpiece you could be.”
3-D technology is even making its way to television.
According to the Boston Herald online, TVs with 3-D technology have entered the market.
But Hoggan said he could not imagine the “push for 3-D television” sharing the same success theaters have enjoyed.
Hoggan said that in the theater, the audience can be thrown into a completely immersive environment. “For that period of time, we’re not distracted.”
But with television, “very seldom do we sit down,” instead wandering around multi tasking.
Besides TVs with the new technology, ESPN has shared plans online to launch a 3-D television network for their sports coverage.
“I think they’re just market testing,” said Hoggan.
Hoggan continued that he thought it impractical to add 3-D technology to television.
“It’s more expensive for them to do that.”
He said that there was no advantage to the change “except for marketing purposes.”
Still, Hoggan expressed some mild interest in the new development.
“I would be curious just to watch and see what it looked like.”
Windrum said that how 3-D effects will be embraced may possibly be “like with color and black-and-white” technology in society today, with the formerly new color effect ultimately winning out.
“New technologies sometimes take over.”
Penton said that cinema and television will ultimately have even more 3-D, since that is the “direction technology’s headed.”
She explained that throughout media’s history, the more gorgeous, the more life-like the visuals, the more appreciative audience they gather. “Human beings love eye candy.”
But other than aesthetic and entertainment judgments, there’s the economic factor for audiences to consider.
According to the New York Times online, ticket prices for 3-D showings have risen 15 to 25 percent.
While studios and theaters profit, the consumer of course pays—still, audiences haven’t withheld their all mighty dollar over the price hikes.
More information can be found at http://www.international3dsociety.com/index.html, http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4796555, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/movies/03threed.html?src=mv, http://news.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view/201003153-d_tvs_going_live_phenomenal_sets_have_eye-popping_prices_limited_use/srvc=home&position=5, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/12/which-avatar-to-see-a-look-at-imax-dolby-3d-reald-and-boring-old-2d.html, http://www.dolby.com/professional/solutions/cinema/3d-digital-cinema.html, http://www.reald.com/Content/about-reald.aspx, and http://www.imax.com/.