Panavision's Film-based 3D solution

[Keith Walters]

I've always been a bit wary of alleged "game-changing" technological breakthroughs, particularly where Panavision is concerned, but this one does seem to be out the starting gate and running:

 

Errant letter helps the Grand Theater go 3D (from the Wellsville Daily Online edition).

 

According to the article, all-up cost to go film 3D is about $60,000, or about one-fifth the cost of an equivalent digital projector. (It's not clear in the article whether the 60 grand is for one or two projector conversions)

 

Factor in the reliability and mechanical simplicity of film projectors and the fact that you don't need a special screen, and you can see the immediate appeal to the Mom&Pop small cinema segment.

 

And before the usual suspects jump in to declare their outrage over such an antediluvian development, I agree that good quality digital projectors have a lot to offer.

 

Still when it becomes a matter of dodgy 3D or no 3D, we all know where the penny is going to drop. And make no mistake, there is going to be a LOT of 3D in the next few years, like it or otherwise.

 

So all you wannabe-ain't-never-gonna-be's hoping that the death of film was going to somehow propel you into the Digital bigtime, take another number and wait.

 

While film prints live, camera negative lives. Deal with it :-)

 

Your bet's not looking too sound Tom :P