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Peter Jackson Wants To Shoot All His Movies In 3D Now – And I Don’t Care
There has been a bunch of chatter going on around the webshere the last 24 hours about a claim made by Steve Schklair, the CEO of 3ality Digital Systems. Schklair says that Peter Jackson has told him that he will only make movies using 3D technology from now on. Ok.
This isn’t that big of a surprise since Jackson is a pretty visionary and forward thinking filmmaker. However, it just brings up for me, yet again, this issue of 3D in movies and how I see them as a novelty at best… a distraction at worst.
Don’t get me wrong… there’s nothing wrong with a 3D movie from time to time. The novelty of it can be a lot of fun… in moderation that is. But for me personally (and I know I’m in the minority here), it’s just a gimmick that distracts from the movie itself, and something else that the filmmakers are thinking about when they should be using that time and energy for making a better overall movie with… you know… story and performance and pesky little things like that.
I just saw the new Pixar film “UP” a couple of times. Both times in 3D (just because that was the next showing when I arrived at the theater). And both times I wished I could just take the glasses off and watch the movie for what it was. I felt the same way watching Beowulf last year. Yes, things get to pop off the screen at you… but who cares? The picture doesn’t look as good looking through the glasses, it gets a bit annoying and the movie becomes more about the gimmick than the story.
But whatever, like I said I know I’m in the minority here.
Agreed, John.
I dread the day when 3D becomes standard(if it happens), not because i hate it but because i am almost blind on one eye so i can’t watch 3D-movies
I love 3D movies so I support this announcement.
All 3D movies? Universally? Or do you just love 3D?
I recently watched My Bloody Valentine 3D in an IMAX Theatre, the biggest in germany by the way, but this fact didnt make the movie better! the movie was standard horror like a million others. the only good thing about it was that until the end you didnt quite know what the fuck happened and whos the real killer, that was really great. but i agree with you john it distracts you from the movie yeah it is cool and stuff but I dont know, watching documentaries in IMAX format is totally different cuz they where filmed with IMAX cameras but Bloody Valentine wasnt. maybe thats the problem here. When I watched an IMAX documentary you totally forget that you are watching a movie you are in the middle of the thing. I think if movies were made in 3D with that exact same IMAX standard it would be more than fuckin cool.
and if Jackson is going that way it is good news for me. John did you ever watch and IMAX 3D movie? it is totally different to other 3D movies. I tell you John when the technology is right it just wont bother you anymore you are IN the Movie action takes place just in front of you. As I said the 3D effect was million times better and not bothering watching an IMAX 3D movie. My bloody valentine and UP are made in Real D. that is totally different. and the effect is not far as good as an IMAX 3D movie is
we’ll see what the future brings
While I mildly enjoyed My Bloody Valentine remake, I too felt the 3-D was a gimmick. I didn’t feel it really needed it. But I liked the opening credit sequences…and this bit with a ripped out jaw…
I saw “UP” in both 3D and 2D and I must say, the 2D was a far better experience. The vibrant colors in 2D just leap off the screen, which it doesn’t in 3D because you are, in effect, wearing sun glasses in a dark theater. Peter could do what he wants, but I will stick to watching films in 2D
agreed 100 %
Have yet to experience this new 3D tech. Question: If the technology had the same vibrancy and picture quality as 2D, would it still be a gimmick?
Yes. The effects become a distraction, your amazed for a little while, but after awhile you just want to take off the glasses and just enjoy the movie.
the 3d in up was not distracting or gimmicky at all. it pulled you into the world more. there were very few instances where they purposely made things jump out at you like a 3d disneyland ride. 3d can be used effectively in film and i think jackson will be able to utilize it creatively.
agree with russel 100%….looking forward to seeing what Jackson can do with this improving tool of film…
The sad thing is that Michael Bay might be the only the director in the business who shares your sentiment, John. I like Bay’s movies though(except for The Island) and I hope they don’t make him shoot Transformers 3 in 3D ’cause that would suck, although I have not yet experienced a film with 3D to make a fair assessment of its cinematic worth. Still, as of right now I haven’t had any interest in seeing one because I, too, think is just a gimmick. Plus, you have to paid an extra six dollars. Fuck that! I live in NYC so watching a 3D film here will run me almost $20.
I guess I’m in the minority too, John. I saw Coraline in 3D, and all that happened with that ecperience was me getting annoyed with wearing the glasses. I saw Up in 2D and loved every minute of it. (It doesn’t make my personal top three Pixar films, but it was still utterly fantastic, like all Pixar movies!) Sometimes you don’t need anything jumping out at you, just the creativity to play with the audience’s imagination. But, if Peter Jackson wants to do 3D more, I’m sure he’ll find a way to make it work.
Being a glasses wearer I have huge problems with 3d…I can either have the film be blurry through not wearing my glasses or not wearing the 3d glasses…or I risk scratching my own glasses by putting the 3d ones over the top.
Then there’s the fact that having two lenses causes all sorts of discolourations and shimmering effects.
3d is nothing more than an over-advertised anti-piracy measure that makes 10% of the population groan because it excludes them from enjoying the film properly.
I agree 100% with John. To me, 3D adds nothing to the story. In a way it’s the big Action Sequence of the techniques of movie making. In the worst it distracts from the story and can even get annoying. At least that’s what I felt when watching Monsters vs. Aliens.
What? I’m not sure that expression is correct. The action sequence is a great and ancient principle that can be implemented in almost any genre of story. If 3D is a gimmick…where’s the parallel?
3D doesn’t work for me and I get a headache as my eyes try and refocus constantly.
I you don’t like it, don’t watch it in 3D…….It’s that simple.
I agree with you, but that is not what the post is about. Is 3D just a gimmick? “UP” was the first 3D film I saw (outside of a theme park), I didn’t care for the 3D effects and was happy to see it again the next day in 2D. I don’t think I’ll be seeing any more 3D films. That’s my personal opinion.
I am also of the opinion that 3D is a gimmick. But if Jackson wants to make his films in 3D I have no problem with that, as long as there is a 2D option to go along with it.
I hate watching 3D movies in 3D, you can always tell which scenes are in 3D and that KILLS me
Like when you see it and theres a 67 minute scene of the kid reaching to pick up a dildo and he stretches his hand towards the screen to pick it up and it takes him an hour, so the audience knows its supposed to be 3D, and that fucking bugs the fuck out of me to the point of a complete psychotic state
Pixar movies dont do this but Journey to the Center of the Earth I saw NOT on 3D with my little brother and there was a scene with a guy playing with one of those paddles with a ball attached to the string, and the ball kept coming at us…but not really, because it wasn’t 3D, same thing happened with all the fish flying towards the screen and every time Brandon Frasier picked something off the floor he stretched his hand towards the audience and it made me go fucking insane because it WASNT on 3D so everything stopped at the screen and it was so annoying to me for some reason
And everytime I see a 3D movie I get headaches, I fucking hate them, they ruin the movie thats not on 3D and theyre worse in 3D themselves…its freaking pitiful how badly 3D fucks a movie up
Shrek 4D is cool, but thats 10 minutes long
Look
You wanna experience the torture of sitting through a 2 hour 3D movie?
Go to your kitchen
Put the microwave on high, put the shittiest sunglasses you can find on the street floor on, put the timer on 2 hours, turn it on and stare at it 2 inches away from it.
Dont stop- dont fucking stop.
Everytime the food inside explodes because of the heat and comes flying at you and hits the glass, thats exactly like 3D, the cancer developing in your brain is also because of the radiation in your skin cells that will eventually cause your skull to cave in, which is the same fucking feeling of pain I feel from a 3D movie
“I hate watching 3D movies NOT in 3D”
Correction of my first sentence
lol you should be able to reply your replys :D
3D or not 3D? …That is the question.
I guess Avatar is the acid test for 3D movies? lol
I just wish they would make a movie and then let it be 3D.
What I mean by that is that they would just apply the technology to the filming process so that you get the amazing visuals that 3d is designed to deliever.
When they deliberately throw in those “hey look! I am reaching out the screen into your face!” shots for no reason but to exaggerate the technology, it takes me out of the film.
Make 3d. Fine, and also offer screenings that don’t show it in 3D. Also fine. People can choose. But don’t insult me by throwing in 3d gimmicks just to remind me that YOU know I am watching it on 3d.
Yes, that is a good point indeed. I don’t need the gimmicks either, just shoot in 3D and let the effects stand on there own instead of Look at me, I’m 3D.
Besides, I need to purchase a good pair of 3D glasses as the ones the theater provide are pretty uncomfortable. Not even sure of the best kind, I hear there are different types of 3D colors and etc.
Just a pain in the butt at this point.
3D doesn’t work for me. I’m colour blind and have read that a colour blind person cant see 3d. I hate it when i hear more about 3d films.
depends on the tech used. If it is the red/blue kind of glasses then I would imagine the degree of colourblindness would affect that.
However the newer style that I have been most exposed to in films (Intel Tru3D etc) has been the gray shaded glasses that simply effect your depth perception of the layered image on screen. I would think that wouldn’t be affected as much by colour blindness.
The new Tech works with polarization ;-) you should be able to enjoy it too.
beowulf 3d – one of the worst films ever made made only tolerable by the 3d
beowulf 2d – one of the worst films ever made.
everything is better in 3d…bring it on……
heh, I can think of far worse movies.
jon’s right, 3D is no less a gimmick than it was back during its introduction hey day in the 50’s. ive yet to be sold after seeing UP & BEOWULF, the glasses being the main detractor creating a low picture quality. im still holding out hope that this hype projected by hollywoods elite isn’t a sell out to increase ticket prices & sales, but given the current selection its appearing that way. but i still will hold my verdict until seeing cameron’s film later in the year. my only concern is how this will alter a films appearence upon its home video release. i know we’re beyond DIAL M FOR MURDER tactics but still some shots will remain apparent 3D setups.
I kinda agree.
its cool to a point.
But I cant wait to see what the technology brings next
3D is not just a annoying gimmick its going to be used as a bigtime marketing/mind control tool.
3D will enable studios/etc to embed product placement on a subconscious level…
Do you really think selling glasses and so called “the next step in cinema” is legit?
Nope their going to exploit this technology, and it all starts with conditioning your kids.
Paranoia’s a bitch.
That’s pretty harsh. Why not wait to see what Cameron makes of 3d with his Avatar, then judge.
John,
Felt the exact same way watching UP. I actually decided to take the glasses off and just watch the sometimes slightly skewered visuals for the last act just so I could let it sink in more. The 3D is a cool gimmick but ultimately lacks any artistic merit in film thus far.
I think movies going from 2D to 3D is similar to music going from mono to stereo.
It adds an extra dimension to the product and once the shift to 3D starts, it will be irreversible.
You are completely ignoring the future of filmmaking. When Avatar comes along, we’ll see if you’re still harping on this “novelty” thing.
Also, your complaint about Up is kinda valid, since the 2D version (which I’ve also seen) has richer colors and texture. Plus, it was decided mid-stream that the film would be made in 3D. But to disavow artists like Jackson and Cameron, and even with all the stumbling he’s doing in the medium, Zemeckis and what they want to do with this technology is silly.
It’ll be a lot more than blue and red glasses before long, John. Don’t stick to a whipping post just because you like to harp on things. ;)
3d Technology has been around since the 1885 Expo in france anyway so any comments about it being the future are a little crazy.. the ability has been there for a long time. It has only reared it head again as for the fears of downloading making cinema attendence less and less which is the exact same fear that the industry had when TV came about. I understand the theory that it creates yet another dimension (litterally), for the viewer to relate too and be dragged in to its narrative. but if the films souless to begin with then where are we. If used properly it can be very effective. However i just dont think ive seen it used properly yet.
Also Maybe Avatar will change these things but not for the whole of cinema. 2d will always survive. But its all good its all variety.
Im rubbish on this just had to check on the expo. Not quite right but the technology has been their in its rawest form since 1890…. then bettered in the 1950’s
Ric, are you aware that the studio’s headed by 3D frontman Jefferey Katzenberg want to convert all films to 3D within 10 years. He has stated this publically.
By then you won’t need glasses. 3D will be the norm and will work by altering your visual spectrum by using digital 3D projectors and new technology… This also allows for embedding subconsious material you will not be aware
Of.
Sure 3D is cool when its used here and there but they want to make 3D the norm. Not just in the movies but on your IPhone, Blackberry, tv, you name it,,, its coming no matter what I type.
I’m just trying to inform those that have an open mind to see the motivation behind it.
Take it or leave it,,,
Paranoia really is a bitch.
3D will really have success when you wont neeed the glasses anymore ;-) and when it becomes natural and well…. real. So real that you would really thing hey there is action going on right in front of me. and I agree with Rodney!! Stop making those 3D INTENSION SHOTS!! I watched BEOWULF in 2D and there were these shots where his sword is very close to the camera. I knew this was specially for the 3D version but it felt sooo weird and so unnatural. NObody would take a shot like that!!
a 6-hour Peter Jackson 3-D movie will soon have theatres selling asprin for $10 a pill.
Saw UP this weekend. LOVED the film. HATED the glasses… got accustomed to them after 10 minutes or so & the strange motion blur/focus issues seem to ease, but then left the theatre with a MASSIVE headache!
Am decidedly not a fan.
Personally I think the whole 3D thing is not a gimmick- no it’s way worse than a gimmick, it’s simply a detriment to the entire film industry. Instead of the film-makers thinking of the writing, cinematography or direction of a scene they are thinking “Gee, what if I made their arm look like it’s coming out of the screen! OOOoooOOOoo” Big ****ing deal!
Really- I feel sorry for anyone who falls for this marketing bull shit. It’s the movie industry’s equivalent of saying “OOOoo look how shiny!”
Slashbeast, denial is a bitch,,,
I’m stating facts not ramblings of a homeless man.
Are you aware that ABC is going to hand over control of there broadcast news to the White House to assist in national heath care. This is todays news.
Do you know that ABC is run by Disney. Do yourself a favor and check this stuff out.
Paranoia is getting to you.