Third dimension of entertainment

The 3D format has been progressively infiltrating all areas of entertainment. This trend has increased exponentially in the last year to include over 40 films, concert videos, countless TV set models and whole television stations.

The use of 3D was originally reserved for children’s films and considered relatively hokey until the blockbuster success of “Avatar.”

This was quickly surpassed by the release of Tim Burton’s “Alice and Wonderland,” which grossed more during its opening weekend; however, even thought this is impressive, according to Mitch Ringenberg of HiLight Magazine Online, “the numbers are likely to sharply decrease as people realize that the movie isn’t all that great if you’re not in elementary school or under intense hallucinogens.”

Even bands have begun to utilize 3D. In March 2006, U2 filmed their concert in Buenos Aires, the last leg of their Vertigo tour, using 3D camera rigs.

“A process called 3ality was used for filming U2 3D; it’s digital and high-def, using lots of double-camera rigs,” said Bob Mondello from NPR.

This technology requires the glasses to get the full experience and a viewer will more-than-likely be slipping them off to discern what is real. This is especially true when they have shots that blend the stadium crowd with the movie-theater crowd.

“At one point I was about to tap the shoulder of the guy in front of me to get him to stop waving his arms in the air — when I realized they weren’t his arms. [It’s] seriously cool,” said Mondello. “Better than a rock concert? I’ll let you decide on that, but let me tell you, it’s close.”

It has been reported by HiLight Online that certain televisions stations are planning to convert to the 3D format as well, however strange that may seem.

Although this technology may be effective for use on concert footage, it seems to be less than well suited for film and television.

There are many arguments in favor as well as against the use of 3D technology, but notable Chicago Sun-times Film Critic Roger Ebert is an avid detractor of the phenomenon.

According to Ebert, “3-D is a waste of a perfectly good dimension. Hollywood’s current crazy stampede toward it is suicidal.” Ebert goes on to detail the specific problems with the format including the fact that it adds nothing to the overall experience for the moviegoers and it tends to be an annoying distraction that may even cause nausea and headaches.

If that is not enough, the use of the technology often requires patrons to spend an extra $5 to $7.50 on their ticket. The quality of the picture is also a problem since the additional dimension, makes the images noticeably darker.

Another problem with the use of 3D is that it limits what directors can do visually. In addition, when the film is not originally intended for 3D animation, the addition of the format after-the-fact can lead to seemingly shoddy and poorly re-mastered work.

In addition, while this technology does have an appeal when it comes to relatively positive films like “Avatar,” it seems as though it would be too grotesque to handle in movies like “Saw VII” when Jigsaw’s mutilated victims are screaming into the audience’s lap.