With a lot of money gone and the other purse-strings tighter than your teenager’s year-old shoes, those left standing from the carnage will immediately put the brakes on new 3-D production so hard that you’ll be able to tell who was working on those projects by their whiplash collars. 3-D films currently in the pipe will still be released and, if the industry is lucky, one of them will be enough of a hit to ease a little of a pain for that year, which for the next few decades, will be spoken of within the film business in tones usually reserved for serial killers. Even a blockbuster at this point, however, will probably not be enough to keep people in the industry from getting fired for using the term “3-D” within earshot of their employer.
Of course, this is all just speculation, but it’s speculation that did not require a lot of imagination on my part. Most of it was just a product of extrapolating current trends with some well-established history thrown into the mix. It may not happen, but the sequence of events that I laid out is neither impossible, unimaginable or even implausible.
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Article comments
1 - Heloise
People will vote with their feet. As I expressed in my review of Inception I made two predictions: that it will be nominated for an Oscar, true and second that Hollywood and indies should take note that a good film with great spec effects would go far. I know inception was not a cheap film but it's no avatar in terms of budget. Its EV was up there too.
You are so right to compare how Cameron MADE avatar for 3D not the other way around. And damn it pulled me in from the getgo. Hope Hollywood does not get stuck on the 3D tract for its own sake and for people who like the film--not the fudge.
2 - John Boden
Hi Paul, interesting article.
Although I disagree that 3D is likely to come to its knees any time soon. As people keep coming to see these films, it'll be here to stay. The other thing is that people are now going to cinemas and specifically asking to watch a 3D film in the same way that punters would ask for a comedy or a romantic film.
My main issue with this is that films such as the latest Pirates of the Carribean, which had very little 3D scenes, are charging the same amount as films like Avatar and Tron Legacy. That in my opinion is wrong.
Anyway, this was a good read :) check out my blog if you get time.
3 - El Bicho
"Hollywood and indies should take note that a good film with great spec effects would go far."
That's a prediction? I think Hollywood already took note of that back when Star Wars came out
4 - Paul
"I think Hollywood already took note of that back when Star Wars came out."
The business side of Hollywood has a hard enough time remembering last week, much less 35 years ago.
5 - zingzing
paul, how many formulaic movies have you seen?
6 - El Bicho
Considering Hollywood beats concepts into the ground in an effort to wring every last buck out, not sure that assessment is accurate, Paul. Look at the sequels, remakes, and games properties hitting theaters.
7 - zingzing
the superhero movie! superman! two! three! supergirl! superman 4! resurrected as batman! resurrected as batman again (nipples edition)! (sidestep to catwoman!) resurrected as batman begins! in imax! in 3d! tmnt! tmnt II: the oozing! blade, Blade, BLADE! daredevil bombs! try daredevil again (it's in the works)! hellboy! hellboy II (the fx edition)! x-men, once, twice, thrice! x-men again! solo wolverine vehicle goes off the tracks! try it again! Spider-man, SPIDER-MAN, spider-man! a new attempt at superman! another attempt at superman coming soon! fantastic four (they had a movie!) then another fantastic four movie! superhero movie in irreverent form, with snot-nosed tweeners (at least twice)! hulk (green)! hulk again (green)! try the graphic novel out! iron man! iron man sucks! green hornet! green lantern! get kenneth branagh involved! and the beat goes on...
8 - Callib Carver
I gotta agree, if you're not going to do it right, then it's pointless. James Cameron was able to make avatar a success because he can do CGI, and 3-D. But all the other studios are focused on money. Thus they won't put the same effort into it as he did.
9 - Paul
"Considering Hollywood beats concepts into the ground in an effort to wring every last buck out, not sure that assessment is accurate, Paul. Look at the sequels, remakes, and games properties hitting theaters."
That's reflex, not memory.
10 - zingzing
oh, good god, paul. you're kidding.