Jeffrey Katzenberg was right: 3D is the future of movies. USA Today interviewed Avatar director James Cameron about this new era of filmmaking, and the director revealed plans to bring a certain unsinkable hit back to theaters in 2012, this time in 3D: Titanic.
Because of the success of Avatar — and now Alice in Wonderland — studios are scrambling to release as many big titles in 3D as possible. Thanks to computer technology, 3D effects can be added to films shot without the use of 3D-specific cameras like Cameron used for Avatar. This includes Warner Bros.’s upcoming Clash of the Titans, a film that was not shot in 3D, but is being converted to 3D over an eight-week period in hopes of capturing more attention (and higher ticket sales) at the box office.
While Cameron was critical of how little time some of these conversions were taking, he wasn’t opposed to the idea that old titles be converted — as long as the original director is the one who oversees the process.
From the interview:
“They’re converting Clash of the Titans in eight weeks. But I’m guessing six months to a year to do it right. We’re targeting spring of 2012 for the release (of a 3D version of Titanic), which is the 100 year anniversary of the sailing of the ship.”
Titanic, for its time, was actually a quite technically advanced film. Many of the interior and exterior shots were completely computer-generated, as was much of the water in the film. That offers up some better options when re-processing the film for 3D because artists are working with digital imagery — not to mention the improvements in visual effects and CGI that have taken place in the ensuing 13 years.
Cameron also discusses 3D television sets and plans for Avatar in Blu-ray and in 3D.
What do you think about technology retrofitting classic films into 3D — or 2.8D as Cameron calls it? Let us know!
"Titanic" to Return to Theaters in 3D
What do you think about re-releases in 3D?
Because of the success of Avatar — and now Alice in Wonderland — studios are scrambling to release as many big titles in 3D as possible. Thanks to computer technology, 3D effects can be added to films shot without the use of 3D-specific cameras like Cameron used for Avatar. This includes Warner Bros.’s upcoming Clash of the Titans, a film that was not shot in 3D, but is being converted to 3D over an eight-week period in hopes of capturing more attention (and higher ticket sales) at the box office.
While Cameron was critical of how little time some of these conversions were taking, he wasn’t opposed to the idea that old titles be converted — as long as the original director is the one who oversees the process.
From the interview:
“They’re converting Clash of the Titans in eight weeks. But I’m guessing six months to a year to do it right. We’re targeting spring of 2012 for the release (of a 3D version of Titanic), which is the 100 year anniversary of the sailing of the ship.”
Titanic, for its time, was actually a quite technically advanced film. Many of the interior and exterior shots were completely computer-generated, as was much of the water in the film. That offers up some better options when re-processing the film for 3D because artists are working with digital imagery — not to mention the improvements in visual effects and CGI that have taken place in the ensuing 13 years.
Cameron also discusses 3D television sets and plans for Avatar in Blu-ray and in 3D.
What do you think about technology retrofitting classic films into 3D — or 2.8D as Cameron calls it? Let us know!
"Titanic" to Return to Theaters in 3D
What do you think about re-releases in 3D?
