The third dimension is terror

I have a confession to make.  I love 3D.

I know, I know – how unbelievably boring it is to keep hearing about how it’s the future of blockbusters and TV.  It all feels so 1985/1958.  And the filmmaker in me knows that it’s pointless, lame, marketing-driven Hollywood tosh.  I’ve been wanting to blog about this for a few weeks, but I’ve felt too  ashamed.

But ever since Captain EO got his hook into me at EPCOT, I’ve always got a massive kick out of seeing movies in 3D.  I’m the guy who keeps all the IMAX theatres in business.   Boring spacewalks – in 3D!  The featureless ocean floor – IN 3D!  FAKE DINOSAURS – IN 3D!  About 10 years ago, I tried to convince the National Film & TV School that they should let me study making drama in 3D IMAX, because it was clearly the future of blockbusters.  They didn’t agree.  FOOLS!  Now I’ll be back there doing a short course in 3D production next month.

Meanwhile, YouTube 3-D has been quietly amassing content for the last year.  You don’t need to have a special camera.  Just a couple of regular cameras, some glasses, and something exciting to jump out of the screen.  Like the harpoon in Jaws 3-D.  I’m not sure why I haven’t started videoblogging in 3D.  My shame has been getting in the way.  Time to get over it.  After all, surely 3D IS THE FUTURE OF VIDEOBLOGGING, RIGHT?

Here’s YouTube’s introductory blog post about their 3D features.   And here’s a story on Gizmodo from last month about how the project came together in some über-geek’s lunch hour.  Envy.

An extra dimension of silliness to follow.