Script

Presentation Script

Projector: Title: The importance of contemporary 3D films

Projector: My Investigation with survey statistics

Presenter: Why are cinemagoers so divided in their views on 3D, which is demonstrated by a questionnaire I took, with 45% of people going at least a year without spending extra cash on a 3D cinema ticket? (Item 4) In this small scale research project, I have been exploring the importance and relevance of 3D films in the modern film marketplace, and where it could be going next. There has been a recent dip in 3D box office sales, as seen in a 2014 BFI chart with a decline in 3D revenue every year since 2010. Could these sales ever heighten again with new ways of watching 3D?

Projector: Avatar

Presenter: What do you associate with James Cameron’s Avatar? Some might say ground-breaking special effects or fascinating creatures, but many would also think of 3D. Of those I surveyed (Item 4), 70% have watched Avatar in 3D, demonstrating the huge ticket sales it received, which has made it the highest grossing film of all time. I believe this wouldn’t be the case without the breakthrough in 3D and motion capture technologies which caused audiences to flock to their nearest multiplex and spend extra cash on a 3D ticket. I have analysed some of the key scenes in Avatar to explore how Cameron has used this technology to generate depth on both sides of the screen to immerse spectators.

Clip 1: Avatar- Jake’s first exploration

Spectators are introduced into the outside world parallel to Jake, with the journey over showing Pandora’s landscape and creatures, which immerses spectators in a 3D flight. When the avatar group touches down, the plants, trees, insects and monkey like creatures (Prolemuris) go way back and in front of the screen to emphasise depth unseen in other films, which gives an idea of what it’s like to really be there. 3D emphasises how much danger the group is in and shows how close they are to Jake as he points his gun, which is especially threatening due to way it comes out of screen. 

The introduction to this vast setting in 3D makes us worry more as we see Jake wander off and explore, as we have seen the scale of some of these creatures in 3D. The monsters which then follow are incredibly intimidating as shown through low angles to instil a sense of superiority and terror which are aided by the 3D depth to show how large and deadly they are. The chase is more intense thanks to 3D which immerses us in the action along with tracking shots to make it out as if we are alongside Jake.

Clip 2: Avatar- Mountain Banshee flight

After Jake finds his own Mountain Banshee, a type of flying creature on Pandora, Neytiri joins him for a flight. The 3D used adds depth to the flight which emphasises the emotions he is feeling, showing both nerves and excitement as he soars high above the ground as shown by the depth in 3D with extreme high angle tracking shots used. These shots include fast movements through the air to generate a feeling of flight for spectators. This immersion is intensified through the use of 3D, as we see their excitement extra close up, with their faces coming out of the screen to show every detail of their expressions.

This close up with an added dimension also allows spectators to begin understanding the feelings Jake and Neytiri have for each other, as we can see clearly the way they look into each others eyes in a loving way whilst flying. In this case, this technology makes it possible to grasp a greater understanding of the characters and their surroundings.

Clip 3: Avatar- Tree destruction

When the humans are invading the N’avi’s main habitat of a massive tree, 3D helps to position spectators to empathise with them. This surprising narrative twist of spectators being against the human race is heightened through 3D as we see destruction and debris close up, making us feel like we are in this position of being fired at, often shown at low angles of the human aircrafts making the missiles feel as though they're aimed at us. We also feel a greater intimidation in shots such as the close up of Miles as he gives these horrendous orders.

POV shots are used within these shots with high frequency cutting to make us feel part of this devastation and chaos the humans have inflicted on the N’avi. 3D then enriches the scale of the giant tree as it collapses slowly, with ELS’s of human aircraft shown next to it in comparison, with the 3D effect greatly emphasising the level of cruelty as the humans destroy this essential part of the N’avi’s massive home.

Projector: Avatar Analysis

As seen in these clips, 3D plays a fundamental role in immersing spectators into the complex narrative and spectacular settings in Avatar. But with 3D film sales going downhill soon after, was Avatar's 3D just a gimmick released at the right time, or did it really have an impact on the way we can understand and enjoy recent and upcoming films? The director seems to believe in the latter, as in an interview with Creative Summit (Item TBC) Cameron discussed the issues of producing Avatar at a time when "no 3D film had reached that length" of 3 hours, so he admits to being "slightly too conservative on Avatar" in terms of the depth of 3D used. This suggests that he is willing to go further on the Avatar sequels, as he claims "now we know good stereo is good stereo, and you can watch it indefinitely". Cameron is still building the Avatar franchise around the idea of using 3D, later stating in the interview that he's "going to open up (his) depth more on the Avatar sequels".

Projector: Ghostbusters

-Analysis-
-Director Interview-

Projector: The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl

-Analysis-