3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Drew, Boston, MA — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:28:54 GMT

What ever happened to Captain EO?

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

red pill junkie, Mexico city — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:35:43 GMT

Hollywood moguls should seriously consider to invest in this technology so that:
a)all movie theaters have IMAX technology, and
b)the whole movie is done in 3D, and not a measly 20 minute.

In my opinion that would be the only way the studios have to win over piracy: to make the whole experience worth the effort of leaving the comfort of your home, wait in line and spend US$7-10 to see something that you can't quite have in your own living room, with flat screens and home theaters becoming more and more ubiquitous. That way, there should be no problem in releasing the DVD THE SAME DAY the movie appears on the theaters, and everybody is happy: the studios, the theater owners AND the movie fans.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Des Emery, St. Thomas, ON, Canada — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:33:27 GMT

Hi, Alan -- just a couple of remembrances. I saw the original 3-D movie, 'Bwana Lion,' with the weird glasses, which nobody could resist re-moving during the movie to look at the headache-inducing screen with the double colours and shapes. I recall only two scenes, one with a little girl being stalked by the lion, and the other of a warrior suddenly whirling around and hurling a spear straight at the camera, which was the only occasion in the movie that made me jump. And I jumped because the warrior's move was sudden, not because he was scary.

I also saw 'It Came From Outer Space' in black and white and 3-D. Many years later I watched it again in regular flat-vision, still b&w, and was struck how so many scenes seemed to be stretched out, like a helicopter landing vertically over the camera location or the aliens' hideaway down a deep cavern, and I realized that the opportunities for 3-D effects had been taken full advantage of in the original.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Paul, Rochester, NY — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:50:19 GMT

I saw Polar Express and Superman in 3D. The Polar Express was amazing, something I'd be willing to pay for again. However, Superman was a letdown. I expected more, longer scenes to be 3D. So, if Harry Potter has only 20 mins, it's definitely not worth the extra $2-3 per ticket to see it in the IMax. I'll just see it in the regular theater. Also, on a side note, I saw Spy Kids 3D when it was in theaters, and that was lame.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Modemmack, SOCAL — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:23:49 GMT

I've worked for a competitor that's using a similar process. It's no lie that the process is quite painstaking. In order to create believable 3D from original one camera film footage you have to shift every object within the shot individually then 'fill' in the dead space with appropriate visual data. The original footage in considered to either be the left or right eye exclusively. Many times you simply never see around objects, so you have to create it using a educated guess to fill in the blank spots. It's wild when you see it up on the in-house big screen.

Unfortunately the process is too time consuming to recreate a full length movie in a timely manner. A 2 camera rig is problematic too because cameras still don't capture depth the way we perceive it. Your brain knows that it's not right and will tell you in the form of a headaches. The new techniques don't give you headaches, but like I said are super slow. New lens and better animation apps will pick up the speed eventually.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Modemmack, SOCAL — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:26:24 GMT

Way to go on posting policy. CBS news online is becoming a haven for hate speech in their comments section.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Modemmack, SOCAL — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:31:24 GMT

3D movies can get the 3D treatment easily because every object can be adjusted for both eyes without recreating anything. I think that the technique that IMAX is using is the 2 camera setup. 20 minutes is probably the limit your brain would tolerate if they're using that technique.

I've read that Kodak (I think) has developed a multifocal camera that would allow cameras to capture depth like the human eye. When that comes out a 2 camera rig would be the perfect way to make 3D movies.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Rob Stevens, Seattle, WA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:41:53 GMT

From what I have read in other places, it costs a million dollars a minute to convert a standard 2D film into 3D. The Polar Express was an exception, because they had the raw digital data to go back to, so it was economically feasible to do the entire movie.

3-D wizards capture Harry Potter

Jose Suarez , DAllas TX — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:35:38 GMT

This has been the most incredible experience I've ever had!! It was not only de incredible resolution but the 3D effect was incredible, you are actually IN THE MOVIE with the actors 5 feet away from you. They should definatelly exploit this technology and make the entire movie in 3D and not just in IMAX. If you haven't seen it GO!! you won't regrett it