3D Movie
When filmmakers create a film in 3-D, they’re adding another dimension to the experience of watching the film. The illusion of depth adds to the sense of immersion and realism. However, some people may not find the effect pleasant and could even feel queasy or headachy. If you have problems with your eyes (such as strabismus), it’s best to avoid seeing movies in 3-D.
Stereoscopic 3-D cinematography was first developed in the 1920s and ’30s, but didn’t become widely used until after World War II. By then, the economy was booming and many theaters were eager to invest in new technologies. During this first golden age of 3-D, audiences were able to see a wide variety of films in the format, including classics like Dial M for Murder and House of Wax.
One of the biggest challenges of making a 3D movie is the fact that it takes time for viewers’ eyes to adjust. As a result, many movies are not as effective as they could be. The process also requires special viewing equipment that’s cumbersome and expensive to produce. This led to a decline in the popularity of 3-D films during the ’70s and ’80s.
Despite this, some studios continued to experiment with 3-D technology. Among the most successful of these efforts was The Power of Love, which was released in 1922. This was the first film that utilized anaglyph glasses, which use lenses of opposite colors to help the viewer view the movie in three dimensions. The red and cyan images combine on the screen, which your brain then reassembles into a single, convincing image with depth.
Other types of 3-D technology were soon introduced. For example, the Natural Vision method employed striated polarized lenses for the audience to wear that helped align with the convergence of their two eyes. This system produced better quality images but was still difficult to operate.
Another 3-D innovation was the Stereovision tech, which displayed reels side-by-side on a single anamorphic film strip. This allowed viewers to view the film in a more conventional manner while still enjoying the effect.
In recent years, 3-D movies have enjoyed a minor revival thanks to a number of high-grossing releases. These have included Monsters vs Aliens, Coraline, and Avatar. While this success is encouraging, it’s unclear how long this will last and whether or not 3-D will be a mainstay in modern cinema.
In the meantime, 3-D fans can enjoy a wide range of mainstream releases. These include animated films like Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons, as well as Disney live-action blockbusters such as The Lion King and The Hobbit. In addition, major studios such as Marvel and DC continue to release superhero and sci-fi films in 3-D. In the future, we can expect to see more films from DreamWorks Animation and other major studios that make good use of the medium. But the true test of 3-D will come with the big budget, IP-driven spectacles that will likely drive the next wave of big-ticket ticket sales.
