18th January 2010 – Avatar 3D
“I mean, you have to be able – you have to have made the commitment within yourself to do whatever it takes to get the job done and to try to inspire other people to do it, because obviously the first rule is you can’t do it by yourself.” – James Cameron
Avatar. Amazing!
Or rather, Avatar in 3D. Amazing! I fully appreciate the various criticisms of the plot and I’ve even spoken to a few people who thought that they didn’t make enough of the 3D element, but for me it’s the film that has introduced 3D to the masses. Which is exactly what 3D needed.
The story is a classic Hollywood crowd-pleaser, the special effects are breathtaking and the 3D element is subtle in places but well done. It’s a delicate balance between story and visual effects, with neither overshadowing the other. It’s also a film that you have to see at a cinema. Even if they perfect 3D TVs (I still can’t see families sitting down in their living rooms with 3D glasses on) the experience won’t be anything like watching in 3D on the big screen. I’m told that the IMAX version of Avatar is even better, I hope to check that out sometime soon.
Having said all of that, I’m still not sure if 3D will go on to rule supreme and be the modern day ‘colour film’ to the old-fashioned ‘black and white’. There were times in Avatar where I kind of forgot that it was in 3D, both a blessing and a curse. Ideally a mainstream drama director wants his audience to be engaged with the story of the film to the point where they forget they are watching a film. With this in mind, it’s hard to say if the 3D element brings an audience closer into the film world, especially if the audience is so engaged that they forget it’s in 3D. Of course 3D will never replace good storytelling and believable characters, but does it enhance the experience?
The more I learn about film making, the more I think that audiences can get over the filming medium pretty quickly, provided they are entertained and engaged by the story they are watching on screen. I think that clean, well recorded sound is more important that high-end visuals. It’s the first thing that people spot if it isn’t up to scratch and immediately takes you out of the film world. I’d much rather watch a well-told story (with good sound!) shot on a cheap video camera, than wooden acting and a poor plot, but with amazing 3D cinematography and lashings of special effects (probably called The Fast and the Furious 3D).
Of course 3D and special effects will always be fantastic for action films, where the explosions get bigger and the carnage ever increases in scale. But would a simple little social drama benefit from being in 3D? Perhaps not.
Either way, it’s going to be very exciting to see what film makers come up with as these new tools become ever popular. Looking at the huge list of credits on Avatar I can’t even begin to imagine where a director would start with that project. Talk about a joint effort!
Looking a little closer to home, I’ve got loads to talk about regarding developments in my film projects but I’ll keep this one short and sweet and save it for another entry later on in January.
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