3D Projector

Will 3D Help Travel Films Box Office?

3D cameras and projectors are on the Travel Adventure Cinema horizon, but will they help our flagging audience attendance when they arrive?

Those who have been following the recent 3D trends in Hollywood, including your editor, believe this historic stereographic art form—all dressed up in modern technology duds—will give our small niche in the entertainment world a welcoming boost.

First off, Presenters, following Hollywood’s example, could ballyhoo 3D film shows as special events and hike admission prices accordingly. Season ticket holders could even pay a small surcharge at the door.

The problem: The travel film field is hurting now—like concerts, art shows and others. But the expected boost from 3D shows is at least a year or so down the line.

3D cameras are available today, but in most cases they are too expensive or too primitive for our field. While low-end 3D projectors are on the way, the first arrivals appear rigged for smaller venues. All this will change, of course—in time.

Perhaps the best news for TAC shooters was Panasonic’s announcement that it is starting development of a new 3D Full High Definition production system that includes a relatively small twin-lens P2 professional camera recorder. (See photo.)

Panasonic said the move was in keeping “with Hollywood studios moving toward creation of more 3D entertainment content.” Studios will have 40 features in 3D in the works over the next three years.

The company’s proposed new P2 full HD 3D system was described as the first of its kind in the industry when its concept was introduced at the 2009 National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas. 

 Besides the camera the P2 system will consist of a 3D-compatible high definition plasma display and a 3D BluRay Disc player.

The company said the twin-lens camcorder would be able to capture natural, high-quality, live 3D images on two channels on a P2 card. 

Its 3D drive system “enables the display of Full HD moving pictures for the left and the right eyes, so large screen 3D viewing will become possible,” said the announcement, referring to the new plasma TV screen technology. Presumably, this could translate to our setup, via a Blu-Ray player. How this content will be edited is not clear, but at least one format uses Final Cut Pro.

As we reported earlier, a stereographic projector—the DepthQ—is on its way. The portable (6.9 pounds) projector has a 1280×720 resolution. But with only 2000 ANSI Lumens, it is probably not ready for the big screens, but it’s a start.

(Special glasses will probably be required at the start for auditorium shows, but they will not be not needed when 3D is viewed on Panasonic’s new plasma television screens.) 

 The projector is marketed by RealD, the global leader of theatrical 3D screen installations. The DepthQ does not require a special screen, however. Kevin Faul, RealD’s business development vice president, has invited TAC Film Artists and Presenters to attend a demo at the company headquarters in Beverly Hills when it arrives. We’ll keep you posted.