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Hollywood 3D FX Tricks and Tips

Plummeting DVD sales and underwhelming domestic box-office receipts have damaged Hollywood the past few years. As a result, Hollywood studios have started to incorporate more and more 3D movies into their catalogs. Crafting 3D films is an expensive endeavor, but Hollywood uses a lot of tricks and tips to cut costs and make production move smoothly. In addition, these tricks make viewing 3D easier.
  1. Fusion 3D Cameras

    • Before filming "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D," that film's director of photography, Dariusz Wolski, had to figure out a way to transport heavy 3D equipment to various beaches in Los Angeles, Hawaii, London and Puerto Rico. Filmmakers James Cameron and Vince Pace recently created the Fusion 3D camera system that now makes it easier to shoot 3D films in difficult locations. Wolski decided to use Fusion 3D to film the new "Pirates" feature.

    How It Works

    • When using Fusion 3D cameras, filmmakers incorporate the X-frame, which reduces the size of the system. Cinematographers are able to go from studio rigs to handheld and Steadicam without loading up trucks full of equipment. The single X-frame includes all of these assets in its Fusion 3D cameras.

    3D Stereograms

    • Using stereograms -- 3D images hidden within another picture -- viewers can turn their computer monitors into 3D TV's.

    Tips for Viewing 3D Stereograms

    • Stare at a spot on your picture, computer monitor or TV screen. The middle portion usually works best. Relax your eyes and try to stare through the image. Your eyes will go out of focus; this is normal. Keep staring and you will see your first image. Your eyes will eventually be able to view more 3D images, once you get comfortable with the process.

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