Ray Winstone stars in Beowulf.
Beowulf has a lot to boast of: an ensemble cast that includes beefy Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, and seductive and sultry Angelina Jolie, an epic story, and some eye-widening 3D effects. To put the technology into perspective, we spoke with Imageworks’ Buzz Hays, senior producer of 3D stereoscopic feature films, and Rob Engle, stereographer & 3D digital effects supervisor for the film.
Fandango: What were the challenges you faced in doing the 3D for Beowulf?
Engle: While there were many individual challenges, overall, it really came down to creating a 3D experience that’s compelling, rich and deep and making sure people are not rubbing their eyes — that it doesn’t take you out of the movie.
Hays: There’s a ton of detail even in the 2D version. Once you get into 3D, you’re scrutinizing that level of detail even further. Because Beowulf was conceptualized as a 3D film from the beginning, there was no lack of detail to be had. There were no enormous challenges encountered in the production of the 3D version as we had a solid 3D plan from the inception of the project.
We tend to take responsibility to make sure this is a great piece of entertainment, but technology should never come before the story. 3D has to be able to support whatever story you’re trying to tell.
Fandango: What has changed from the way 3D was used in the past to how it’s used today?
Hays: 3D had its heyday in the ’50s. Most of these films were terrible an effort to just poke things at the camera. The novelty wore off really fast. Now it’s more subtle about how it’s used – to really tell a story in a way that you couldn’t tell in two dimensions. The experience requires forethought to tell a story in 3D. It’s a new reason to go to the theater, to make it an event again. I grew up in Maine, and the movie theaters were about an hour away, so it was really an event to go. It would be great to capture that experience of going to the movies as being something really special once again, and 3D certainly offers us that chance.
Fandango: What type of films do you see being successful in 3D?
Hays: It’s not about technology, but more about content. It’s a very powerful way to tell a story. I don’t think it needs to be that huge blockbuster summer smash experience. In 3D, there’s so much detail there. Sometimes when scenes play out more slowly, allowing the audience to linger in the moment, 3D gives us plenty to look at. There are incredibly long takes in Beowulf that let your eyes feast on what’s going on. What will be successful in the future is not just animated, action fare. I’m sure we’ll be surprised as to what types of stories will make best use of 3D, whether it’s thrillers, spectacles, or straight dramas.
I think Beowulf will change peoples’ perceptions. It’s not family or children’s fare. They’ll see there are other stories we can tell.
Fandango: With the onset of live 3D events and concerts, what kind of experience does this create?
Engle: For the last NBA All-Star Game there was a live 3D event held in a nearby casino. People who had tickets to the game commented they had a better seat watching the event live in 3D than they would’ve if they’d used their tickets at the actual event. It’s not just a matter of being there, but making it feel like you’re in the game.
Hays: With the U2 3D concert, it’s like they’re on stage with Bono. No matter how well connected we might be, just trying to get a good seat at a concert is impossible. There’s a sea of people at a concert. Live 3D is a new vantage point, a level of realism, a “you are there” kind of experience. I don’t think we need to watch the Nightly News with Brian Williams in 3D, but I think we’ll be really surprised what takes off and what doesn’t. In the business of making entertainment, there has to be a reason for people to come and see it a very valid one. There are a lot of negative stereotypes of 3D, but all of those misconceptions disappear when audiences get a chance to see great 3D. People genuinely get excited about talking about it.
Fandango: What do you think about the future of 3D home entertainment systems?
Engle: Initially, I think that video gaming, rather than films, will drive the adoption of 3D in the home. I think there will be competing systems for 3D presentation but they will co-exist much like different videogame platforms do. It’ll be a little while before we get standardization in the home.
Fandango: What are some upcoming 3D features to look forward to?
Hays: The U2 concert film will really turn peoples’ heads because it’s live action. Once they start seeing live action this way, I do think it will open up possibilities wider and wider. It’s pivotal because they’re bringing live action to the masses. We’re looking forward to good 3D in general. I think we will be surprised by some little things that come out of nowhere.
Fandango: There’s a lot revisiting films of the past and digitally enhancing them. What’s your take on that?
Engle: I’m generally a purist. When it comes to converting films for 3D presentation, I think, hey, let’s not do that. Let’s not revisit the past. Let’s make some really brilliant new films in really wonderful, good quality 3D. We have to be very careful because we don’t want to create a bad 3D experience. It’s probably enough to turn someone off for life. When people think 3D we don’t want them to think headaches and other negative stereotypes.
Hays: For now, it’s important that we have a lot of good 3D content out there. Nostalgia has a funny way of fixing things in your mind. Luckily, we have a few of generations of movie goers who have never seen 3D, so they can now experience it for themselves without any regard to what the experience of seeing 3D may have been like in the past. To anybody who’s skeptical about 3D, give Beowulf a chance, and then assess.
Engle: Beowulf in itself is an evolution at work at Imageworks. It’s quite a good movie, but when you see it in 3D it really is spectacular. It’s a combination of a great, classic story and the latest technology. You’re much more engaged with the characters. You feel like you’re part of the action. I think it is the best example of 3D content and exhibition to-date.
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