James Cameron Criticizes Tim Burton and 3D DVD Releases

Posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

James Cameron gave a keynote presentation at the 3D Entertainment Summit today, and took aim at Tim Burton, who is filming Disney’s upcoming 3D adaptation of Alice in Wonderland using 2D cameras. Burton plans to convert the footage to 3D in post production, a decision that has angered and baffled the 3D community. “It doesn’t make any sense to shoot in 2D and convert to 3D,” Cameron said.

The Titanic filmmaker later attacked the industry’s decision to release 3D films on DVD/Blu-ray with the old red and blue anaglyphic glasses. According to FirstShowing, Cameron said that such releases are “stunting 3D growth,” and hurting the progression of the format. Amen. It’s going to take a little while for the public to accept 3D films, and its going to take Hollywood a while to perfect the art of 3D filmmaking, and the release of old technology is counterproductive to the cause.

MarketSaw was also able to confirm that a movie trailer has yet to be cut for AVATAR as not enough footage is completed. Cameron claims he hasn’t spoken to Fox about trailer placement but that there will be many opportunities in terms of 3D movies over Spring/Summer 2009.

Comments

A.J

Avatar is NOT nearing "The Dark Knight" levels. It isn't nearly as mainstream or familiar to garner so much non-fanboy buzz. I am slightly confused about home videos/3D, and I really know nothing about 3D but here I go anyway. If you film a movie in 3D, won't it have to be released on DVD/Blu-Ray as 3D, yet Cameron says that 3D at home is bad? Can you convert down to 3D?

Chromey

3D shoots an image for the left eye and right eye. When going to home video they pick one eye angle for each shot.

Chromey

Also there is no easy way (with current TV's) to present Polarized 3D which is the theatrical standard. Right now they can only reformat it to the red blue glasses (anaglyph) format which looks lacking even under ideal conditions -- or a complex system involving timed shuttered glasses that is also way too much trouble for the end result.

There are 3D TV's in development that can show stereoscopic imagery without glasses (finally) but they're a ways off and there's no video standard to support them at this time, but supposedly Panasonic is pushing to tweak Blu-ray to make it the format for next gen 3D in the home.

Converting 2D to 3D is a work intensive process that involves digitally creating "layers" to simulate a 3D image. It looks much more like layers and "cutouts" than images captured in true 3D.

Tommy_Tricker_

Hey, this movie has been in development for years now. Not even a single pic has been released yet the hype is already gigantic.

The Dark Knight hype only started gaining some momentum after the trailer, then the shit really hit the fan after ledger died,. Maybe without a dead star Avatar has a hype disadvantage but I think things are realy going to go crazy after some footage is released

Chromey

Maybe he wanted to shoot on film and prefers the more "stylized" look of 2D processed into 3D.

Aqualeo

If Burton wants to do it his let him. Cameron is just dogging everything that is 3D related to hype his Avatar. And with the 3D glasses thing, they just release the DVD's with the glasses because it is becoming popular.

3D Enthusiast

3D is a gimmick. It's lame. It sucks. I hope it dies off soon like so many other trends. The sooner James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis et al get back to making movies with human beings, the better off we all are.

MrCavanagh

Avatar is being shot with real humans.

Mavi

You cant argue with burton until we see what he comes up with!! and to be fair he rarely lets peeps down..

_Freddie

If James Cameron says it.. I've got to think he's the authority on this one so..

CaptainAwesome

I had absolutely no idea that was Burton's intention with Alice. That is retarded.

Cameron rules. The guy knows what he's talking about. I also hope we get an Avatar teaser for Christmas.

_Freddie

Yeah I forgot to say that the level of anticipation for Avatar is nearing Dark Knight levels. James Cameron is about as money in the bank as you can get so it's hard to not expect to walk into the theaters and not be blown away by this one.

rockinrors

Thanks JIMMY

MosesMonster

Since Mr. Cameron is so powerful, and all knowing, I motion that you guys begin using this image when discussing any topic about him.

http://news.filefront.com/wp-content/uploads/2008...

REAL6

"IN CAMERON WE TRUST"

Tommy_Tricker_

Yeah people seem to rip on 3d all the time these days and I guess its because of all the shitty 3d releases. But when Avatar comes out I think people will start to see things differently, that is of course if Avatar and the technology behind it is really as awesome as everyone is making it out to be,

790

I couldnt give two shits about Avatar.
The hype is growing??? Lol,,, maybe on /Film, most ppl don't even know he's working on a film or care.

I love you guys that praise Cameron like he's some kind of movie god... Gimme a break.
If any of you spent some time working for him, you wouldn't praise him at all. Sure he's made some great films but as a human being the guys a walking turd....

Captain_Howdy

Peter, just a simple request, please don't ever open another paragraph about James Cameron with "The Titanic filmmaker..." :o)

Cameron is a visionary, without a doubt. But I'll actually WAIT AND SEE his epic 3D film Avatar before I start praising his efforts. By the way, how do you promote a 3D film to a 2D audience? Adequately, I mean?

TheGreenMalice

I will be highly entertained if Avatar sucks. I will see it, but will be amused if it sucks after all the buildup and godliness.

On the other hand, he shouldn't bash Burton until the finished product is at least sort of seen.

Brian

I'm a big fan of both Burton and Cameron, but I feel the same way as Cameron on this one. It does make absolutely zero sense to do the 3D conversion.
Is Tim Burton that broke that he can't afford 3D camera usage? It would look better, it would end up selling better....wtf?

TitanicLover

What the hell does james know about 3D?
just because RECENTLY he has been talking about 3d doesnt mean he is the authority.
He hasnt done anything since titanic. SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN JAMES.

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