Seeing in 3-D?

When I learned that filmmakers were starting to produce movies in digital 3-D, I thought it was awesome! Advancing technology would make these films accessible to the masses and add a little variety and excitement to the typical movie experience.

However, this perfect plan is not as perfect as it seems.

According to this New York Times article, many movie theaters do not have the advanced technology required to play digital 3-D movies. While the $15,000 extra production cost doesn’t seem extravagant at first, when producers realize that their high-tech films are only able to play in “about 1,300 of North America’s 40,000 or so” theaters across the nation, it seems like a much less profitable investment. To upgrade theaters to the required equipment, it costs $100,000 per theater!

Because of the limited availability of 3-D technology, films are forced to release a traditional 2-D version in tandem with the anticipated 3-D versions. For instance, My Bloody Valentine, which was released Jan. 16, was only able to show the 3-D version on 900 screens, while the 2-D version opened on 1,600 screens, according to the NYT article. After looking at these numbers, I question whether it is worth the extra money and effort to develop 3-D films.

On the viewer’s side, the estimated cost per ticket is $25 each. I already avoid theaters because of the hike up to $10 a ticket at my local theaters! Do you think customers will pay the extra money to see a film in 3-D? Would you?

Virtual Philadelphia

When it comes to new media and tourism, Philadelphia is setting the bar.

In January 2007, the city unveiled a $5 million dollar campaign called “uwishunu” (pronounced “you wish you knew”) to promote the city through various new media outlets including ”blogs, podcasts, social networking sites, photo- and video-sharing Web sites, RSS feeds and ‘in-the-know’ residents to spread the word about the new Philadelphia,” a press release from the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation said.

They have increased the use of Web 2.0 tactics to reach a unique, growing audience who relies on the Internet to plan and book individualized travel experiences. 

Now, a year and a half later, Philadelphia has taken new media tourism one step further by introducing a 3-D virtual tour of the city. Using GeoSim Systems, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Center City District are combining satellite images, aerial photos and street-level digital photos to create the technologically advanced video. Users will soon be able to walk, drive or even fly through the city’s most acclaimed areas…without leaving their home or office!  

To learn more, watch this preview video describing the various benefits of Virtual Philadelphia.