3dCinema
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Q-tec finalizes installation of RealD 3D system in Japan
It's pretty stellar to hear of theater chains lining up to install 3D systems, but this one just gets us all sorts of envious. Reportedly, Q-tec -- one of Japan's leading video post production service providers -- has just completed the "first domestic installation of a 3D cinema system developed by RealD." And it doesn't sound as if Q-tec is done, particularly considering that it's planning to begin "full-scale operation" this month. Who woulda thunk it -- maybe 3D cinema has a shot after all.
Cinpolis and RealD to bring 3D cinema to more of Mexico
Funny story -- so just four months back, we were seriously wondering if 3D theaters could truly thrive. Here we are just a season later, and the answer is looking clearer all the time. Cinépolis, the planet's fifth largest cinema exhibitor, has just announced in conjunction with RealD a new partnership that will bring 500 new 3D screens to locales in Mexico, South America and Central America. Six of the new screens have already been installed, while the remainder will continue to be rolled out until 2010. Exact cities weren't mentioned, but we are told that those who get 'em before December can expect to see Disney's BOLT in eye-popping 3D this Christmas.[Image courtesy of HomeTheaterBlog]
Journey To The Center Of The Earth gained more revenue from 3D than 2D
We'll admit -- we had serious doubts that 3D cinema would ever take off so long as patrons were forced to wear those gaudy glasses, but the opening weekend numbers for Journey To The Center Of The Earth make a good case that 3D is viable. In a release put out by Real3D, we're told that 55% of the box office revenue generated by the film was handed over by guests watching it in the third-dimension. In short, the Real3D version took in "3.7 times the revenue of the 2D alternative." It should be noted, however, that 3D viewings are generally more expensive than traditional screens, so we can't say with any degree of certainty that more people saw the film in 3D than in 2D. Still, this seems like a pretty big deal in the 3D arena to us, and we're sure it's all the motivation some studios needed to move forward with costly 3D endeavors.
AccessIT bringing live 3D events to over 150 US cinemas
Remember that one-off Mavericks / Clippers matchup that was shown in 3D in a Dallas-area cinema? If AccessIT has its way, those types of events will be popping up all over the United States here soon. Said outfit has just announced plans to install 150 of its CineLive systems in major markets throughout America. The technology will enable the "live broadcast to movie theaters of both 2D and 3D events such as sports and concerts," and while 50 installs are scheduled to start immediately, the other hundred should be completed by the year's end. For the full list of locales, give the read link a look.
James Cameron supports 3D cinema, speaks about involvement
As if 3D really needed any more momentum, famed director James Cameron is openly backing the technology and actually shooting an upcoming film (Avatar) in 3D. In a recent interview with Variety, Cameron notes that when viewers see a scene in 3D, the "sense of reality is supercharged," and he even went so far as to say that every film he's ever done previously could have "absolutely benefited from 3D." Still, he does admit that the "economics of 3D" are unclear, and end results will depend heavily on how many theaters adopt it and how many filmmakers choose to "play in the new space." Trust us when we say that these comments are just the tip of the iceberg, so head on down to the read link for tons more insight from James on what 3D is doing (and what it can do) for cinema.[Via AboutProjectors]
Pixar hops on bandwagon, also commits to 3D productions
Okay, so this 3D thing is really getting serious. Nearly a month after DreamWorks Animation made known that all of its future films would be produced in 3D, Pixar has hit back with an eerily similar announcement. Reportedly, Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter proclaimed that beginning with Up in May of 2009, each Pixar production will be released in 3D alongside the traditional 2D version. We're also given a look at what to expect from the studio in the next four years, with titles such as Bolt, Rapunzel, King of the Elves and of course, Toy Story 3 all on deck. Furthermore, the first two Toy Story pictures will likely be re-released in 3D, but sadly, no timeline was given. Better get used to rockin' those face-engulfing specs, it seems.[Via WidescreenReview, image courtesy of Moldova]
3D cinema comes to Johannesburg's Nu Metro Montecasino
As the naysayers continue to chuckle at the idea of 3D hitting it big, fans of face-consuming glasses and eye-popping visuals have yet another venue to check out. Located at Fourways in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Nu Metro Montecasino is now home to a Barco 2k digital cinema projector. The D-Cine Premiere DP100 utilizes Texas Instrument's DLP technology and "contains a hermetically sealed DMD engine that makes maintenance easy and increases the longevity of the product." Unsurprisingly, the first screenings were Hannah Montana and U2 3D, but only time will tell if 3D mega-hits will continue to flow.[Via AboutProjectors]
