1. "Nobody Goes To See 3D Movies Anymore"
For those with a rampant hate of 3D, they all get very excited when they hear that 3D screenings aren't selling that well. "It is fine that I don't like it. No one is going to them so they will die out in the next year or so." This is something I have heard for the last three years, once even directly from British critic Mark Kermode. It is true that there was a time when 3D films were not that popular amongst audiences. There was certainly a backlash against the format when a shoddy product was being put out. Sales dipped and people became annoyed at spending a premium on something that was underdeveloped and pushed out without any care. But things are looking better. Opinions are steadily rising again as better products are put out and the market is slowly clawing back a few percentages in the US, hanging in the 40%s for 3D movie attendance. However, the argument really falls apart when applied to the foreign market, which lest I remind you is around 2/3rds of box office income. As
The Wrap have reported today, the 3D market in Russia and China is around 80%-90%. China's cinema market is growing at an alarming rate with a massive number of new screens being installed daily and many cross Hollywood deals being struck. With such a massive market supporting the movement so wholly, there is little chance of the format dying out any time soon. This is a great thing. Even if you staunchly hate the format and think it is an affront to the cinema that has come before, you must agree that the longer filmmakers have time to experiment, learn the language and apply the techniques, the more chance that a better product will be made. 3D is in a healthy place right now and lots of great filmmakers are using it in exciting and imaginative ways. To blindly dismiss the format seems limiting to me. Several great artists have told me that "snobbery is the enemy of progression". There are great examples of it out there but there are also not so great examples. But we are getting better at it. We 3D supporters hate bad conversions as much as you, if not even more because we see potential go to waste and more fuel for critics to throw at the format. However, if you are willing to give it a chance every once in a while, then you are in for some expressive storytelling treats.
Agree? Disagree? What are your thoughts on the 3D process? Let us know in the comments section below.