3D Has Reached Economies Of Scale: ShowCanada '08

Hundreds of movie industry insiders are gathering this week in Banff, Alberta (gorgeous isn't it?) to watch the future of film at Canada's movie industry trade show, ShowCanada. And as has been common in most industry shows the past 12 months, there is a much larger 3D presence. One of the treats that attendees this year will be privy to is a screening of the 3D thrill ride known as "Journey to the Centre of the Earth 3-D".

3D has really taken off and technical consultant PA Charron states: "Five years ago, new equipment cost $250,000 to $300,000. Now, a digital projector costs anywhere from $35,000 to $100,000."

"(Digital 3-D) is easy to operate," says Charron. "You're not dealing with film; you're dealing with hard drives."

In other words, the technology has reached an economy of scale, theatres have begun to roll out digital technology and film distributors, ever in search of the next great idea (and mindful of the overwhelming success of competition from video games and the Internet), have created a perfect storm that may push digitized 3-D beyond its gimmicky past.

Source: Calgary Herald