Some Thoughts On 3D
... I will never shoot stereoscopic. This was said on June 8, 2012 by Rian Johnson whose greatly expected forthcoming sci-fi film “Looper” is going to be released in 2D. ...
The “debate” over 3D has become a polarized polemic, a one-dimensional (sorry) and mind numbingly boring exchange of “3D sucks” “no you suck” back and forths. It gives “film vs. digital” a good run for the title of “discussion I’d most rather chew my own foot off than get sucked into on twitter.” So why am I writing about it? Because even as the debate has (sorry again) flattened, my feelings about stereoscopic photography have grown more complex and nuanced. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I’m hardly an expert on the topic, technically or otherwise, but I’m setting down my current thoughts just to get them in order, and posting them for anyone who’s interested. If even one foot chewing incident is prevented or delayed, I’ll be happy.
One of the most provocative claims from the pro-3D camp is one I actually agree with, and I’ll sum it up in two closely related statements:
1. 3D is the future of cinema.
2. The introduction of stereoscopic photography is analogous to the introduction of color.
I agree with both of these statements.
I will also never shoot stereoscopic. I actively avoid seeing most stereoscopic movies. Generally speaking, I don’t like stereoscopic photography.
Most of what I’m about to write is concerned with why I don’t consider this a contradiction.
“It’s like seeing a moving sculpture of the actor and it’s almost like a combination of theatre and film … it immerses you in the story more”
That’s Martin Scorsese, waxing eloquent about stereoscopic photography...
I subscribe to Chris Nolan’s recent assertion that calling stereoscopic photography “3D” is a “misnomer.” ...
See the full editorial here: http://rcjohnso.tumblr.com/post/24693276556/some-thoughts-on-3d