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SAN DIEGO — When James Cameron directed his first 3-D film, “Terminator 2: 3-D,” for Universal Studios theme parks more than a decade ago, the bulky camera equipment made some shots awkward or impossible.
The 450-pound contraption — which had two film cameras mounted on a metal frame — was so heavy that producers had to jury-rig construction equipment to lift it off the ground for shots from above. The cameras, slightly set apart, had to be mechanically pointed together at the subject, then locked into place like an unwieldy set of eyes to help create the 3-D effect.
At $60 million, the 12-minute film was the most expensive frame-for-frame production ever.
Now, five months from its release, Cameron’s “Avatar,” the first feature film he has directed since “Titanic” (1997), promises to take 3-D cinematography to an unrivaled level, using a more nimble 3-D camera system that he helped invent.
Cameron’s heavily hyped return also marks Hollywood’s biggest bet yet that 3-D can bolster box office returns. … budgeted $237 million for the production alone of “Avatar.”
The movie uses digital 3-D technology, which requires audience members to wear polarized glasses. …
“Avatar” also raises the bar on “performance capture” technology, …
“I’m speechless,” said Nahum Villalobos, a 19-year-old Navy recruit from Vista, Calif., …
The $237 million production is not as expensive as some 2-D fare such as “Spider-Man 3″ (2007)…
Then again, Cameron’s last film grossed $1.84 …
“If you know Jim Cameron, it’s all about pushing the envelope,” said Vince Pace, …
Cameron tweaked his cameras through two 3-D documentaries he made for IMAX theaters,…
His camera rig is now lighter — up to only 50 pounds — …
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Cameron said he wanted to have the filmmaking techniques fade into the background as the story took over.
There is a lot more to this excellent AP/Christian Science Monitor article: Hollywood places biggest 3-D bet yet on ‘Avatar’ | csmonitor.com