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The Hobbit's Higher Frame Rate To Cost Theater Operators
kodiaktau writes "Film makers keep touting increased frame per second rate as improving viewing and cinema experience, however the number of theaters who actually have the equipment that can play the higher rate film is limited. It makes me wonder if this is in the real interest of creating a better experience and art, or if it is a ploy by the media manufacturers to sell more expensive equipment and drive ticket prices up. From the article: 'Warner Bros. showed 10 minutes of 3D footage from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at 48 frames per second at CinemaCon earlier this year, and Jackson said in a videotaped message there that he hoped his movie could be played in 48fps in “as many cinemas as possible” when it opens in December. But exhibitors must pay the cost of the additional equipment, and some have wondered how much of a ticket premium they would charge to offset that cost.'"
I've seen several examples of both. And guarantee you the former will make the movie feel more vivid than the 3D. Its as significant as going to color or talkies. I cant wait for all films to be shot this way.
You can see non gimicky 3D right now: Prometheus. Say what you will about the film, the 3D is not a gimmick, and greatly enhances the experience. I felt like I was looking at real person when Charlie was looking in the mirror and saw the thing in his eye. Creepy as fuck. The cesarian was also creepy as fuck in 3D as well, not because of in your face effects, but because you really felt as if you were right there looking at real people. That's the future of 3D: subtle enhancement.
As a former movie theater employee (some 15+ years ago) when you pay for a movie, the theater sees very little of it.
I think the way it broke out then was they kept ~2% of opening week ticket box revenues, after a few weeks it jumped to ~6% and I think topped out around 10% before they weren't around anymore. Budget theaters keep a much higher percentage, but they have really old movies...
The theater makes all their money on concessions (thus the ultra expensive popcorn and soda) one of those bags back then cost maybe $30 for mountain dew syrup (which btw pours out as an interesting sludge/slime that tastes nasty without mixing), it makes a crapload of soda, and as you know, popcorn kernels are cheap, the canola oil is also reasonable, but that is where they make the money (or did) not sure if the 3d surcharges go to the theater or not... I'd imagine the distributor keeps a good amount of that too!