James Cameron finds converting Titantic to 3D "mind numbing"

[Mr. Hole the Magnificent]

By Marc Chacksfield

James Cameron has told TechRadar that he is finding the process of
converting Titanic into 3D "mind numbing" and has revealed the
intricate detail that goes into retro-fitting a live action movie with
3D.

Titanic 3D is to set sail 6 April 2012 to coincide with the 100 year
anniversary of the infamous ship sinking.

Cameron is doing one of the most extensive 2D to 3D conversions ever
on the movie, spending a year finessing the footage at a cost of $18
million.

Speaking to TechRadar he revealed that the process, of which he is
nearly halfway through, has been nothing short of exhaustive.

"I really don't enjoy the process," Cameron explained. "While Vince
[Pace, cinematographer] and I sit gleefully watching 3D images being
shot, a conversion is the exact opposite.

"It is a mind numbing process of creating depth subjectively. It is as
simple as 'this person is bigger than that person, they therefore must
be closer put them here'. It is an endless discussion with the
artists."

To make sure the film looks just right in 3D, Cameron is going through
not just every scene, but every shot of the movie bit by bit.

"I am five months into this process so the artists are becoming good
and starting to read my mind a little, so it has become easier, but I
still sit there with the jog wheel and look through the movie frame by
frame and make notes on depth.

"'That should be closer, that should be further back, there's not
enough full depth here, there is not enough volume on that shoulder, a
little more volume on that urn in the background, see that chair in
the background on the left, no the other one on the left, that one
needs to come forward another six inches… when the captain stands up
we have to do an interlocular dynamic, da da, da da, da da… it's
fricking endless!

"It's a mind-numbing process; it's like mowing the lawn with a toenail
clipper."

Cameron explained to TechRadar that the process of filming 3D is a
much more pleasurable experience.

"The organic process of shooting 3D, native 3D, is that you walk over
to the monitor and you see it in 3D, you play it back and it is in 3D.

"The actual process is great; you are having fun, as you have
integrated it into your workflow."

http://www.techradar.com/news/home-cinema/high-definition/james-cameron-titanic-3d-conversion-is-mind-numbing-1023781

[Ted Nolan <tednolan>]

In article <fa1589bd-9059-4ad1...@d26g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,

Mr. Hole the Magnificent <classic...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>"It's a mind-numbing process; it's like mowing the lawn with a toenail
>clipper."
>
>Cameron explained to TechRadar that the process of filming 3D is a
>much more pleasurable experience.
>
>"The organic process of shooting 3D, native 3D, is that you walk over
>to the monitor and you see it in 3D, you play it back and it is in 3D.
>
>"The actual process is great; you are having fun, as you have
>integrated it into your workflow."
>
>http://www.techradar.com/news/home-cinema/high-definition/james-cameron-titanic-3d-conversion-is-mind-numbing-1023781

Well, for heaven's sake, why doesn't he go and make a *new* 3D movie then?
--
------
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

[Red Cloud]

On Sep 14, 9:34 pm, "Mr. Hole the Magnificent"

<classic.mr.h...@gmail.com> wrote:
> By Marc Chacksfield
>
> James Cameron has told TechRadar that he is finding the process of
> converting Titanic into 3D "mind numbing" and has revealed the
> intricate detail that goes into retro-fitting a live action movie with
> 3D.
>

More people are fucking complaining about 3D garbage film.
I guess their life is too short fooling around with 3D garbage.

[Halmyre]

On Sep 15, 5:34 am, "Mr. Hole the Magnificent"

<classic.mr.h...@gmail.com> wrote:
> By Marc Chacksfield
>
> James Cameron has told TechRadar that he is finding the process of
> converting Titanic into 3D "mind numbing"

Serves him right. Now he knows how the rest of us feel.

--
Halmyre

[Obveeus]

"Mr. Hole the Magnificent" <classic...@gmail.com> wrote:

>Titanic 3D is to set sail 6 April 2012 to coincide with the 100 year
>anniversary of the infamous ship sinking.
>
>Cameron is doing one of the most extensive 2D to 3D conversions ever
>on the movie, spending a year finessing the footage at a cost of $18
>million.

$18 million...wow...talk about putting all your profits back into the
productline. ;-)

>"I really don't enjoy the process," Cameron explained. "While Vince
>[Pace, cinematographer] and I sit gleefully watching 3D images being
>shot, a conversion is the exact opposite.

Hopefully he will use this experience and decide that making new films is a
better use of his time than going back to the editing room and post
converting old crap.

>"It is a mind numbing process of creating depth subjectively. It is as
>simple as 'this person is bigger than that person, they therefore must
>be closer put them here'. It is an endless discussion with the
>artists."

Am I the only one reading this and wondering why these artists are having
trouble figuring out which people are in the foreground vs. which people are
in the background? It seems like people make those decisions without much
trouble every time they watch a 2D film.

>"It's a mind-numbing process; it's like mowing the lawn with a toenail
>clipper."

...and the movie wasn't even good to begin with.

[moviePig]

On Sep 15, 8:01 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:

Well, it wouldn't be the first time Cameron has proved the world
wrong... but, yeah, this effort does inspire a measure of pathos...

--

- - - - - - - -
YOUR taste at work...
http://www.moviepig.com

[nick]

As objectionable as it may be, I'll still go see a post-conversion
Star Wars, but I really can't see myself paying to see this.

[moviePig]

...and, for me, only EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE.

[Obveeus]

I can't wait to see who shoots first this time.

[RichA]

But he's a whore, so he'll keep at it.

[SSS DDD]

is girlfriend going to fly now ?

[calvin]

On Sep 15, 8:01 am, "Obveeus" <Obve...@aol.com> wrote:

> ...

> ...and the movie wasn't even good to begin with.

Titanic was very good, though flawed. Most very good
movies have flaws, even great movies.

But fie on 3D-ifying any movie, which is just as wrong
as colorizing movies in my book. I agree with RichA;
this proves that Cameron is a whore. I'll never see this
thing. On the 100th anniversary of the sinking I'll watch
my 2D laserdiscs, and maybe the black and white "A
Night to Remember' too.

[Bill Anderson]

On 9/15/2011 9:32 AM, moviePig wrote:

>>
>> As objectionable as it may be, I'll still go see a post-conversion
>> Star Wars, but I really can't see myself paying to see this.
>
> ...and, for me, only EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE.
>

In 1977 I first saw STAR WARS (70mm!) while sitting front row center
section of the balcony in Loew's Theater in Times Square. It was a
matinee. When the Millennium Falcon went warp speed and the stars
stretched I nearly fell over the rail. It remains one of my most
memorable, wonderful movie-going experiences.

But I don't care a thing about having my memories besmirched by seeing
it all happen in dirty dim 3D. Some things just can't be improved upon.
I mean, you might as well colorize CASABLANCA, and nobody would ever
consider doing that, would they? Certainly wouldn't make it a better
movie, would it?

I betcha when George Lucas finds out what some ignorant cretins are
doing to his movie just to make a few extra bucks he'll put a stop to
it. I betcha.

--
Bill Anderson

I am the Mighty Favog

[Mack A. Damia]

On Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:58:43 -0400, Bill Anderson
<billand...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On 9/15/2011 9:32 AM, moviePig wrote:
>
>>>
>>> As objectionable as it may be, I'll still go see a post-conversion
>>> Star Wars, but I really can't see myself paying to see this.
>>
>> ...and, for me, only EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE.
>>
>
>In 1977 I first saw STAR WARS (70mm!) while sitting front row center
>section of the balcony in Loew's Theater in Times Square. It was a
>matinee. When the Millennium Falcon went warp speed and the stars
>stretched I nearly fell over the rail. It remains one of my most
>memorable, wonderful movie-going experiences.
>
>But I don't care a thing about having my memories besmirched by seeing
>it all happen in dirty dim 3D. Some things just can't be improved upon.
> I mean, you might as well colorize CASABLANCA, and nobody would ever
>consider doing that, would they? Certainly wouldn't make it a better
>movie, would it?

Just watched it on TCM, but I've seen it many times. It's amazing
what a magnificent film it is. But consider some of the Hollywood
remakes that never should have been produced. Someday, someone will
come along and colorize "Casablanca" because "black and white is so
passé". It's pure misplaced ego coupled with ignorance.

[moviePig]

Same time of day, same mm print, and among my most memorable as well.
As a viewing experience, I never feel that this movie should even be
linked with the subsequent SW canon ...which, despite groundbreaking f/
x and hordes of fans, never equaled the original's exuberance both on-
screen and in the audience.

[Ted Nolan <tednolan>]

In article <f2423032-6f39-496d...@l4g2000vbv.googlegroups.com>,

Likewise:

http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=150

I had won tickets, had never heard of it, and had *no* idea!

[calvin]

I saw the very first 1977 showing in Washington DC, at the
great Uptown Theater, in the afternoon. A few of us left work to
see it. But unfortunately the horrific loud, boisterous audience
nearly ruined it. I've stayed away from the first showings of
'event' movies ever since. I enjoyed The Empire Strikes Back
in Atlanta more, and think Empire was the better movie, but
no other Star Wars movie has ever done anything for me.

[nick]

On Sep 15, 4:58 pm, Bill Anderson <billanderson...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> On 9/15/2011 9:32 AM, moviePig wrote:
>
>
>
> >> As objectionable as it may be, I'll still go see a post-conversion
> >> Star Wars, but I really can't see myself paying to see this.
>
> > ...and, for me, only EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE.
>
> In 1977 I first saw STAR WARS (70mm!) while sitting front row center
> section of the balcony in Loew's Theater in Times Square.  It was a
> matinee.  When the Millennium Falcon went warp speed and the stars
> stretched I nearly fell over the rail.  It remains one of my most
> memorable, wonderful movie-going experiences.
>
> But I don't care a thing about having my memories besmirched by seeing
> it all happen in dirty dim 3D.  Some things just can't be improved upon.
>   I mean, you might as well colorize CASABLANCA, and nobody would ever
> consider doing that, would they?  Certainly wouldn't make it a better
> movie, would it?
>

True, but the audience for Star Wars is always going to be young
children. There's never going to be a Leggo Casablanca for Ninendo
DS. We're not the audience for a converted Star Wars. It's kids like
my nephews who can't even be bothered to draw quality distinctions
between the prequels and the original trilogy. They're not going to
have their memories of Star Wars ruined by seeing it in 3D in
theaters.

And also, a theoretical color version of Casablanca wouldn't have any
involvement of the original creators. Imagine a colorized version of
The Maltese Falcon supervised by John Huston back when colorization
was in vogue. Maybe it's a bad idea but you might give it the benefit
of the doubt of at least one viewing.

[trotsky]

Hey calvin, as much as I hate to admit it I agree with everything in
your post.

Loud audiences can sometimes make the movie, though.

[trotsky]

On 9/15/11 10:26 AM, RichA wrote:
> But he's a whore, so he'll keep at it.

You misspelled "highest grossing filmmaker in the history of cinema".

LOL.

[Bill Anderson]

Yikes. I thought everybody knew CASABLANCA has already been colorized.
My clever tongue-in-cheekiness, all for naught.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19881030/PEOPLE/10010305

[Mack A. Damia]

On Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:57:36 -0400, Bill Anderson

Had no idea and have no desire to see it. Turner can be such a jerk.

[moviePig]

I hate them, as a rule ...but I'm pretty sure I joined mine at
SW4(1). I suspect there's a difference between audiences that
spontaneously emote and those that try to participate.

[calvin]

On Sep 15, 8:32 pm, trotsky <gmsi...@email.com> wrote:

> Hey calvin, as much as I hate to admit it I agree with everything in
> your post.

> ...

Then, at last, I can die fulfilled.

[trotsky]

When?

[calvin]

Hopefully before you ever disagree with me again.

[moviePig]

On Sep 16, 10:07 am, trotsky <gmsi...@email.com> wrote:

(I hope you won't be offended to know that I laughed at this post and
then waited for it to appear.)

[calvin]

On Sep 16, 10:16 am, moviePig <pwall...@moviepig.com> wrote:
> On Sep 16, 10:07 am, trotsky <gmsi...@email.com> wrote:
> > On 9/16/11 12:33 AM, calvin wrote:
> > > On Sep 15, 8:32 pm, trotsky<gmsi...@email.com>  wrote:
> > >> Hey calvin, as much as I hate to admit it I agree with everything in
> > >> your post.
> > >>   ...
>
> > > Then, at last, I can die fulfilled.
>
> > When?
>
> (I hope you won't be offended to know that I laughed at this post and
> then waited for it to appear.)

But of course I'm offended.

[moviePig]

I doubt you're even incensed.

[RichA]

See the story about Spielberg regretting editing ET? Crocodile
tears.. These people don't give a s--- about artistic integrity, it
is all about the money, nothing more.

[RichA]

On Sep 15, 8:37 pm, trotsky <gmsi...@email.com> wrote:

[Stone me]

"RichA" <rande...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ffcdface-38bc-4d17...@t29g2000vby.googlegroups.com...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It all seems to me to be spelled out carefully in "The Player"(1992)

Discussing a "script":-
Griffin Mill: It lacked certain elements that we need to market a film
successfully.
June: What elements?
Griffin Mill: Suspense, laughter, violence. Hope, heart, nudity, sex. Happy
endings.
Mainly happy endings.
June: What about reality?

Perhaps Hollywood should be the subject of your complaint.

Stone me.

[trotsky]

I disagree with that comment.

[trotsky]

You're very confused--don't you think you need to go back to reporting
about "panic ads"?

[calvin]

Now you've torn away my life's fulfillment.

[moviePig]

Then you've come to the realization that life-fulfillment is tearaway.

[Obveeus]

I thought he was simply declaring his plan to live forever.

[tomcervo]

It's the first time he's actually watched it from start to finish.