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.'"

Comments

Awesome

[dubl-u]

I love this. They charge a premium for 3D that half of everybody hates. Now they'd like to charge another premium for 3D that will suck a bit less.

I look forward to the next article bleating about the mysterious decline in box office attendance. What could it possibly be?

Re:Awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

Piracy. Of course.

Re:Awesome

[Korin43]

This brings up an interesting point -- will I be able to see this in 48 fps *without* gimmicky 3D?

Re:Awesome

[DreadPiratePizz]

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.

Re:Awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

You can see non gimicky 3D right now: Prometheus.

The visuals in that movie were top notch. Unfortunately, in order to see them, you must sit through the movie. What a load of crap.

Re:Awesome

[Bill_the_Engineer]

The only way I'd go to a theatre is if they invented a device that would get people to STFU while the movie is playing.

Re:Awesome

[Tarlus]

They're only angry because they can't see in 3D.

Re:Awesome

[CubicleZombie]

Seriously? It looked like it was filmed in 2D and the 3D effects were added as an afterthought. Objects all looked flat but the scenes were separated into 3D planes. I'm pretty sure the two scenes you mentioned were the only ones actually filmed with a 3D camera.

I liked the story but wish I'd gone to the 2D theater. As opposed to Avatar, where I liked the 3D but the story was disappointing.

And NOT worth $32 for two tickets. More for IMAX. More for 42fps, someday. They're just guaranteeing that I'll wait for it to come out on Netflix.


Oh, public service announcement: DO NOT TAKE YOUR PREGNANT WIFE TO SEE PROMETHEUS. Don't ask me why. Just trust me and don't do it.

Re:Awesome

[crazyjj]

Not only have the ticket and food prices gotten complety INSANE, but the last time I went I also got the benefit of sitting through about 30 minutes (seriously, not an exaggeration) of Coke commercials, car commercials, and trailers which were mostly completely unrelated to the style of movie I was seeing.

Pretty much avoid theaters now. Had enough, thanks.

Re:Awesome

[weszz]

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!

Re:Awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

The film was entirely shot in 3D (wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_%28film%29). I'm sure there were a few post-conversions for botched shots, but actual photographed stereo 3D can often appear extremely planar depending on the interocular distance (physical x separation) of the cameras and whether the rig was converged (where screen plane is defined) at the focus point or converged closer to infinity (spending the depth 'budget' on detail in distance rather than foreground roundness). I think a lot of the choice of shooting the way they did (converged to the back of set) was done in order to maximize the feeling of the photographed volume - in essence creating a sense of starkness in the 3D effect. Pina used this with exceptional endst. Most 3D is gimmicky in its execution, but it doesn't mean that non-realistic portrayals of depth can't be valid artistic choices.

fast frame more "real" than theater 3D

[peter303]

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.

Re:In other news

[AnonGCB]

You mean studios will finally be able to pan at a reasonable speed without it looking jittery and fucking terrible?

24 fps is terrible and you should feel bad for propping up a dying standard.

Yay

[Tridus]

A surcharge for this too? I'm surprised the theatres don't charge extra for that new fangled "air conditioner" technology at this point. Or maybe $1 per speaker in the theatre.

Oh well, just another reason to stay home and watch when it hits on demand for a tiny fraction of the cost.

Re:In other news

[TheMMaster]

A director is free to add motion blur to his picture in post, if it's for 'artistic reasons' you can do whatever you want.

Just don't go and tell me that the blurryness in the fight scenes of 'the dark knight' where an artistic statement...

Re:Classic 2D is best

[Ksevio]

Maybe they'll just give film theaters double the film (hopefully they have large platters!) and instruct them to hook the motors up to a 240V source instead of 120V.

I'm no electrical/mechanical engineer, but I'm pretty sure that you can just double the voltage on any given motor/gear system to double the speed with no negative repercussions.

Re:Classic 2D is best

[Anonymous Coward]

It would allow us to constitutionally be able to yell fire in a theatre.

Re:I remember 'Sensurround'...

[Darinbob]

Really? I remember getting a real submarine. No crew of course, but the rest of the kids in the neighborhood filled in.