Source:Edward Douglas

March 28, 2008

This is going to be a different type of feature than CS readers may be used to reading here, one that came out of our time spent at ShoWest where we were astounded by the number of times "3D" was mentioned, and being blown away by the use of 3D technology in presentations by DreamWorks, as well as New Line and Walden Media's Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, which we saw in its entirety. (You can read our Journey 3D Preview here).

The 3D phenomenon isn't just something being discussed in theory at trade shows like ShoWest, since its practical uses have already had an impact with moviegoers. Last year, Robert Zemeckis' animated epic Beowulf made much from its money from the theaters that were able to screen it in 3D, because there were a lot of moviegoers who wanted to see the adventure in that format and were ready to pay more money to do so. This year, there have already been 3D concert films from two of the biggest touring acts, with Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour setting a new per-theater average record when it opened in early February. James Cameron's next movie Avatar, his first dramatic feature since Titanic over ten years ago scheduled for release in December 2009, is being filmed entirely using similar 3D technology as "Journey."

Instead of talking to the man on the street to get their opinion on the growing 3D phenomenon, ComingSoon.net had a chance to talk to two men who have the most to gain (as well as the most to lose) from the 3D explosion, the CEOs of two major companies that have been pioneering the use of 3D technology both in production and theater projection.

Cary Granat is the Co-founder and CEO of Walden Media, the production company who has optioned the rights to many popular novels to turn them into successful films like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Bridge to Terabithia and Disney's Holes starring Shia LaBeouf, but Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D is the first live action dramatic feature to use the newest 3D technology.

Michael Lewis is the Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Real D, the company who has devised the software and hardware technology that allow digital cinema projectors to project 3D images onto regular movie theater screens. If you've seen a 3D movie anytime in the last couple of years, you're probably already familiar with the "Real D" logo emblazoned on those nifty 3D glasses.

You can read each of our interviews by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Walden Media CEO Cary Granat

Real D CEO and Chairman Michael Lewis