3D Meet Bob Furmanek: HTF Golden Age 3-D Consultant (2 Viewers)

[Paul Hillenbrand]

True 3D movies have to be shot in a particular way in order to get the viewer accustomed to looking into an image rather than merely at it. This isn't to say that all the 2D tools aren't usable, just that they need even more careful stage management.

Few of today's directors seem to know or care about this and will just rely on conversion after the fact.

Dariusz Wolski uses 2D capture for stronger moments of 3D effect.

You design the shots, and if you really want to have 3D effects straight to your face, from my experience, if you really want to shock people with an object coming toward the screen, it’s better to shoot 2D and then dimensionalize it. Because with a 2D camera, you can put it much closer to the object so that it pops out at your face. With a 3D rig, it’s a little bit limiting because it’s bigger. It can be way more beneficial to shoot in 2D first if you’re playing 3D as an effect

 

[StephenDH]

He's probably right, if the movie is designed for 3D from the start. The lukewarm reception given to most post-conversions suggests that many of them aren't.

Few modern 3D efforts have anything like the impact of "House of Wax", "It Came from Outer Space" or "Creature from the Black Lagoon". They are edited to flow elegantly and give the audience visual breathing space. Perhaps modern audiences won't sit still for that kind of movie these days because they're so accustomed to the visual assaults which infest movies today.

I'm amazed that conversion is economically viable but I guess it must be or no one would do it.

 

[pinknik]

Bob, could the Archive license movies to the new Mystery Science 3000? Is that something that could happen? Just curious, thanks.

They did episodes of Revenge of the Creature and Robot Monster. GOG or The Bubble could be fun.

 

[Mike Ballew]

Speaking for myself, I would not prefer to see that happen.

It's probably fair to say that The Bubble in particular is an imperfect film. But it is absolutely the work of a filmmaker, Arch Oboler, committed to putting across Big Ideas in popular media. Personally, I believe The Bubble is about keeping hope and taking action even when everyone around you succumbs to mindless complacency. Your interpretation may vary, of course, and there are no doubt additional themes at play in the film, but I believe Oboler as a storyteller and as a steroscopic cinema visionary deserves more respect than to be lampooned by that bunch, fine people though they may be.

The same goes for The Mask, if ever it is proposed as fodder for MST3K. GOG will be a matter for MGM to decide, but I fervently hope they will respect the original work well enough to forbear.

 

[StephenDH]

MST3K movies have to be truly abysmal to work properly, which is why their movie version using "This Island Earth" failed so badly.

"The Bubble" is no masterpiece (to say the least) but it's not really bad enough for MST3K.

 

[pinknik]

I liked the MST3K movie. This Island Earth isn't Plan 9, but it still has enough cultural and production issues just due to its age to be funny to a newer audience. Being spoofed isn't a sign of disrespect, to me at least. Anyway, it was just a thought. Could be good for business.

 

[Mike Ballew]

I appreciate what you're saying, pinknik. I don't mean my rising to the defense of The Bubble to sound like an unfair condemnation of your proposal. I have a soft spot for the film, is all, and will somewhat reflexively stick up for it at any and all times.

I have met my share of people—intelligent, otherwise sensitive people—who conclude that any film that appears on Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a mediocrity ipso facto. But of course a number of perfectly decent and well-regarded genre pictures have had the MST3K treatment, among them Rocketship X-M, This Island Earth, Revenge of the Creature, I Was a Teenage Werewolf, The Space Children, Gorgo, and Danger: Diabolik.

On a related note, I perceive that a similar dynamic was at work years ago when the compilation film It Came from Hollywood was still in circulation on cable television. I cannot tell you how many times I've had to gently correct smirking people convinced that The Bride of Frankenstein* and The Incredible Shrinking Man are two of the worst films ever made, based on their inclusion.


* - I must add, I'm going on 30+-year-old memories. My strong recollection is that one brief clip from Bride did appear in the film when I saw it a lifetime ago, but I find no confirmation of this in online reference sources. And I do recall conversations with individuals about Bride sparked by their having viewed It Came from Hollywood.

 

[Todd J Moore]

A question was asked of me that it occurred to me I did not know the answer to, and I'm not sure if anyone really knows. But, not counting the current wave, just how many 3D movies are there?

 

[Paul Hillenbrand]

A question was asked of me that it occurred to me I did not know the answer to, and I'm not sure if anyone really knows. But, not counting the current wave, just how many 3D movies are there?

A good question Todd, but where to look for answers! Please clarify which "3D movies" category.

Category types:

3D movies authored on Blu-ray 3D for region A, B, or C?

3D movies on all types of media (includes anaglyph VHS, DVD, & field sequential)?

3D movies that exist on film?

 

[Todd J Moore]

The question referenced non-porn mainstream films thematically released. I did a basic count and came up with--not counting foreign films--roughly 84 released between 1922 and 1997. I'm hoping that's accurate.

 

[Interdimensional]

The question referenced non-porn mainstream films thematically released. I did a basic count and came up with--not counting foreign films--roughly 84 released between 1922 and 1997. I'm hoping that's accurate.

Why stop at 1997? I'd consider the current wave started with digitally projected 3-D in 2005.


There's so many ways you could count them. Do you include Imax films for example?

 

[Todd J Moore]

The person who asked the question specifically stated to leave out the current wave. I have not counted IMAX as I'm not sure exactly how many of those there were. Just for these purposes, narrative fictional 3D movies that were theatrically released. I agree that including the current wave, IMAX and porn titles would be a whole lot more titles.

 

[Interdimensional]

Excluding the current wave, I'd go right up to 2005. I wouldn't consider films like for example the anaglyph Spy Kids 3D to be part of the current wave since those were not released in digitally projected 3-D.

 

[RolandL]

List of 3D movies released.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

On March 2 and 12, I'll be presenting 15 minutes of restored 3-D highlights of MONEY FROM HOME at MoMA.

It's not on their website yet but it's part of the THREE RING CIRCUS screening. http://www.moma.org/calendar/film/1621?locale=en

 

[RolandL]

Hey Bob,

Just curious, who has the rights to Hannah Lee aka Outlaw Territory and The French Line? I would like to see them on Blu-ray 3D.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

HANNAH is with Wade Williams and FRENCH is at Warner Bros.

 

[Quatermass II]

Bob, do you know if Warner's have any plans to release more of their 3D back catalogue after their superb House Of Wax, Dial M and Kiss Me Kate? They obviously care about these films, as demonstrated by the quality of the restorations

 

[SFMike]

Bob, do you know if Warner's have any plans to release more of their 3D back catalogue after their superb House Of Wax, Dial M and Kiss Me Kate? They obviously care about these films, as demonstrated by the quality of the restorations

Yes The French Line is a very entertaining movie and I would love to see it restored with Warner's quality.

 

[Bob Furmanek]

Sorry John, but WB does not share any advance information with me.