3D

I went to The Last Airbender this past week. It was the first feature film I saw in 3D (that I can remember. It’s possible that something’s slipped through the cracks). The 3D in that film was mediocre, as it has been in most movies, except for Avatar.

Avatar was filmed using techniques and cameras designed for 3D. Due to the success of Avatar and other 3D movies (Up comes to mind), a lot of films set to release afterwards but filmed beforehand (using traditional cameras and techniques) were and are being pressured to release in 3D (see: Clash of the Titans, The Last Airbender). But since the 3D is all done post-production, it looks gimmicky.

I imagine that the situation is similar to the one in film when sound and then colour were introduced. A lot of films were in the can, and suddenly had to compete against films with something extra. Of course, a lot of people were against the changes (“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” – H.M. Warner, Warner Bros, 1927). I’m guessing they thought it was a gimmick that would quickly pass (just like the internet).

Anyway, 3D these days is akin to colouring in a black and white film after the shooting’s done. Technically, it’s possible – it’ll just look terrible.

However, as 3D becomes more mainstream (it’s not going away. Get used to it), films will go into pre-production knowing that they’ll be released in 3D, and can prepare accordingly. So while films may not look like Avatar (which was designed to be a visual spectacle, but not necessarily an entertaining film), the quality of 3D will improve, just like it did with sound and colour.