Customer Reviews

3-D Filmmakers: Conversations with Creators of Stereoscopic Motion Pictures (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series)

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As this book consists of a collection of conversations of noted people in the field of 3D Cinema with the author, I began reading with a fear that I was about to read slap-on-the-back style accolades to and from some of the past directors of notorious 3D "B" movies from the 1950s. I was quickly wrong and as they say in the classics, I couldn't put it down.
Having seen some recent IMAX 3D films that were very impressive, and with the promise of new autostereoscopic screens on the horizon (televisions that don't require any eyewear for the 3D experience), I wanted to learn more about this field of filmmaking. There are few good publications on this subject currently so this purchase was a punt.
Ray Zone has put together insightful discussions covering fifty years of directors, cinematographers, and techs, from directors of the cheesy red and green glasses 3D horror flicks of the 50s/60s, to the producers of some of the better of the IMAX 3D productions. These interviews show a clear sense of the limitations and the potential of the 3D medium through each individual's experience - even James Cameron shows an impressive knowledge and enthusiasm for 3D from his 3D work (although his interview here appears to have been made prior to his much anticipated 3D drama "Avatar", due for release late 2009).
The "level" of the knowledge expected of the reader is of someone who has a good understanding of the filmmaking process, especially photography, so is not really for the hobbyist, although the chatty nature of the conversations makes this an easy read.
The tacky front cover image of this book belies the knowledge within, I guess giving an understandable nod to the cheese factor of the 50s era 3D films. Pity this book doesn't come with a DVD in the back and some red/green glasses so I could combine the discussions with the examples cited. As a sign of the infectious nature of it's contents, after reading this book I immediately bought three 3D movies on Blu-ray from Amazon so I could put some of the espoused theories of 3D from these filmmakers to test (without actually trying to shoot a 3D movie myself yet). My learning curve is steep and I can't wait to see what comes next.
Any filmmaker who is thinking of entering the brave new (old) world of 3D cinema should read this book. It is great for insights into the technical, historical, cinematographical, and business side of 3D Cinema, and is a good primer for the future creators of 3D.

The interviews are informative and cover many of the stages in the history of 3D development from the horses mouths.

Ray Zone shares with us the numerous interviews he made of all the world's most prominent 3D directors, DPs and Producers. Get a first-hand description of what making a 3D movie feels like. Real Movies, Real Persons, Real Stories. And see the 3D Directing craft repeat itself as well as evolve from the historical 50's to the most recent digital age. If you are into enjoying 3D movies, and want to understand the experience of their makers, you need this book. If you are into making 3D movies, and you prefers to ride on giant shoulders' rather than being the guy that embarrasses himself by repeating history as a farce, you NEED this book.

3-D Filmmakers: Conversations With Creators Of Stereoscopic Motion Pictures is an anthology of interviews by stereographer, film historian, and award-wining 3-D artist Ray Zone, of twenty-one professionals in this specialized cinema field. From the producer of "Bwana Devil", the 1952 feature that initiated a surge of 3-D films, to producers and cinematographers of 3-D films in the 1970's and 80's, to individuals involved with 3-D theme parks, current IMAX films, and the new format of digital 3-D cinema, 3-D Filmmakers offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the evolving developments of this exciting cinema niche. Especially recommended for fans of 3-D.