Converting old movies to 3D may be the next big step
The $59.3 million bow of
DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's "Monsters vs. Aliens" was hailed by
exhibitors and distributors alike as a breakthrough in the burgeoning 3-D biz.
But even though the 3-D renaissance is still nascent, Hollywood is already
planning the next step: throwing open its vaults.
As they prep dozens of new 3-D films, the majors
have been quietly exploring the idea of converting some of their most valuable
library titles to the new technology. Tests for "dimensionalization"
have been done on a number of hits, including Paramount's
"Transformers," Paramount/Fox's "Titanic" and Warner's
"The Matrix."
Those explorations are gaining new urgency as the
format builds excitement among viewers and exhibitors. Hollywood is always
looking for the Next Big Thing to fuel coffers. And there is reason for
optimism in the new format, but there are also reasons for caution.
Disney, the studio leader in 3-D, is showing the
rest of the industry the way. At exhib confab ShoWest in Vegas, last week,
Disney and Pixar elaborated on plans for bringing the two "Toy Story"
pics, as well as "Beauty and the Beast," to the format.
At 3-D conversion company In-Three, guests and potential
clients get to view a number of tests, including those "Titanic" and
"Star Wars" clips. But one of their best is a little test they did
inhouse, without a studio request: The final airport scene between Bogart and
Bergman in "Casablanca."
At a recent screening, there were no obvious 3-D
effects and the picture was still in black-and-white, but somehow Bogart and
Bergman looked sexier than ever. They were beautiful before, but in 3-D, you
can't take your eyes off them. It was like seeing the familiar scene for the
first time -- exactly as 3-D fans have been saying for a long time.
If mass audiences have the same reaction, we'll
all be "looking at you, kid," in a whole new way.
