Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 3D movies in large format.

This is topic 3D movies in large format. in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 04-22-2002, 09:59 AM:

I am the New Operations manager for the Iwerks theater in Albuquerque NM. We currently run a single 8:70 linear loop projector. My question. Some of the Imax movies I want to show are in 3D format. Do these ever get converted to 2D and or is it possible to show just the right eye view and have it appear normal. I have never experienced a 3D film but I have read up on them in your forum. Looking forward to some fun sharing in here. I have been in projection since 1974 long before xenon bulbs, platters and women in the booth were popular. Thanks for any help you can send my way.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-22-2002, 11:21 AM:

With any 2-strip 3D film, either "eye" can be used for a 2D presentation. Of course, you get a slightly different perspective from the right and left eye prints.

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-22-2002, 11:38 AM:

Jan,
We also have an Iwerks theatre here in Salt Lake City that I service now and then. Its a neat projector for sure but has its drawbacks, mainly the flat gate. BTW: its an easy machine to service and you could probably learn it yourself so you don't end up paying the exhorbatent Iwerks service rates!! As far as 3D goes most of the 3D films that I have seen shown in 2D are really quite boreing with the 3D factor taken out. A number of these were produced with the 3D factor in mind so when thats removed you don't have much left. This is a major factor to consider when buying a 2D print that was originally a 3D film. I'd go to an Imax theatre that is running it in either format and see the film before I buy it. Since 8 perf prints cost as much as a 15 perf this would be highly advisable. The other option is to install a second Iwerks machine and actually run it in 3D. Since you already ahve the sound system all that is needed is the second machine and the ability to interlock them together.
Mark @ GTS

Posted by John Schulien (Member # 215) on 04-22-2002, 11:50 AM:

quote:
As far as 3D goes most of the 3D films that I have seen shown in 2D are really quite boreing with the 3D factor taken out. A number of these were produced with the 3D factor in mind so when thats removed you don't have much left.

I have an odd reel from "The Bubble", a 3D movie, and I'd have to agree. The reel has things like a long, extended shot of a bucket being hoisted up a well. We were watching it, and scratching our heads as to what sort of drugs the director was on, filming a gratuitous 15 second scene of a bucket slowly rising up a well ... then we realized that it probably looked a lot cooler in 3D ...

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 04-22-2002, 11:54 AM:

Wow you guys are full of info...Thanks a lot. I really appreciate the help. One more thread here to add..Will film guard work with an Iwerks Linear loop projector head?

Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 04-22-2002, 01:07 PM:

Arch Obler did "The Bubble." Although some people find his films interesting, what I've seen of his work is pretty bad. My impression is that he was more interested in playing and exploring the limits of cinema rather than making films with good production values.

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 04-22-2002, 03:55 PM:

I'm with you guys on the 3D in 2D is boring, after all these films were MADE in 3D!!

I had to deliberately show 3D using one eye in Spain recently, this was only done to allow the programmer to get his SMPTE timecode in the right place so the lip sync was spot on. (Sound was coming from a hard disk digital recorder). He and the sound designer said it was way easier to that using one eye projector only. Needless to say it doesn't matter which, but I can safely say after I'd seen my 70 second film for the nth time in 2D, 3D in 2D is BORING!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-22-2002, 04:31 PM:

Jan asked: "Will film guard work with an Iwerks Linear loop projector head?"

You can try it, BUT, with all that high pressure air flow and the rapid loop movement, I'm not sure it would stay on the film, and might splatter onto the inside of the gate chamber. I recall the Linear Loop has very little abrasion of the film surface, so extra lubrication may not be needed anyway.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 04-22-2002, 04:46 PM:

Film Guard would probably find its way to the projection lens in short order due to the air turbulence. The Linear loop is an amazing projector....it is controlled by a small boxed computer to create the timing within the machine to lay in and remove each frame of film on register pins in the gate....we had one in our shop with a custom pedestal ( motored up and down for threading - lens stuck through a hole in the wall during projection ) most problems was to fine tune the air pressure required and the computer ( which had quick change capabilty to a backup up ); this unit is working in Calgary, Canada.

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 04-22-2002, 06:04 PM:

From everything I have read here I guess I will wait and try to get a second projector. My booth is set up for another one. I do have an old Ballentyne 8:70 in storage is it possible to sync up the linear loop with the ballantyne with a sync moter.

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 04-22-2002, 06:09 PM:

Forgive my spelling I had a long day in the booth today...

Posted by Ben Stephenson (Member # 741) on 04-24-2002, 03:21 PM:

At the moment we have some trilers that were intended for 3D use ( yes you can get 3D trilers for IMAX ) only in 2D films and they look fine. Granted they are ment for 3D use and would look better in 3D but they work fine in 2D.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-24-2002, 03:29 PM:

Yesterday, I assembled the right eye of Space Station and screened it. This is the first 3D film that I've seen and enjoyed in 2D. (Although, Across the Sea of Time was almost there.) I think I'll wet myself watching it in 3D.

Unfortunately, Imax has a thing about their films playing on non-Imax systems. But that's another topic altogether.