AVATAR & the future of filmmaking

Think about going to a movie today versus going to a movie a generation ago - a lot of things are the same. The popcorn is still doused in butter. Coke's original recipe is still in tact (bar some 1980's 'new coke' fiasco). Lines still form for popular movies. Seats are generally still unassigned. There are trailers before the films advertising similar movies that you may want to see in the future... but there are so many differences.

I live in Los Angeles and go to the Grove or Arclight for most of my movie going experiences. With both of their independent websites, I can purchase tickets online and simply walk up to the kiosk, handing only my credit card for my tickets. Also, at the Grove I walk up to a computer and type in my concession order and then just wait for my number to be called. At the Arclight, my seats are assigned - I never have to wait in line. Hell, I can get a quick drink before the show at the bar in the Arclight lounge. Film going experiences are not changing, there is a better word -- they are evolving.

With technology, the films themselves are even evolving. Dated special effects are easy to spot - with newer films possessing CGI that is sometimes undetectable to the untrained populous (cinephiles are still pretty keen at recognizing a CGI shot versus a real shot). The movie that will not just climb one rung, but the whole evolutionary ladder is a film due out in December 2009 ~ AVATAR (poster below is fan art and not an official Avatar poster)

Avatar is the latest project from acclaimed and Academy Award winning director James Cameron. Known for his ability to transport us to 1912 with mind-numbing special effects in Titanic and for close encounters that feel real in Alien, James Cameron wants to top all previous work with his latest creation. Although you may have heard of the 3D U2 concert or the 3D Miley Cyrus concert in your local cineplex or hell, even Chicken Little in Disney Digital 3D... you will have never seen anything like this. On Film.com, Cameron was quoted saying, "We're creating an entire world." For most, this is not an exciting statement. Audiences have seen this all before ala Star Wars. However, principal photography (the thing where the camera shoots the important scenes) is only going to a be a month and half. Most productions have at least 3 months of principal photography with tons of second unit photography (shots the 2nd unit director is in charge of -- aerial shots that establish a location, side-plots that are not necessarily the main focus of the film etc). With only a month and half of principle photography, the majority of the film must be completely done in a computer. According to Cameron, they will use a "new, photorealistic CGI technique invented by Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment..." Oh, and one more thing, it will all be in 3D!!!

We have recently seen a whole slew of 3D films and it will not stop (check out the trailer for Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D by clicking HERE... be sure to have a barf bag). Just like in the 1950's, Hollywood is 3D happy. However, James Cameron brought back the Titanic from the depths of the Atlantic, made us jump when aliens took over our bodies in the future and in 2009, he will use his revolutionary film direction to bring about the most realistic 3D experience in the history of cinema. When more information becomes available, be sure to check back here at theDigitalMailroom.