The future is 3-D

The head of US film studio Dreamworks Animation has predicted that the future of cinema will be three-dimensional. Jeffery Katzenberg, one of the founders of parent company Dreamworks SKG along with moguls Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, said that three “magical” factors were coming together to make the rejuvenation and triumph of 3D possible: the increased power of computers which allows clearer images, digital cameras and affordable 3D eyewear. From the studio's point of view, the advantage of 3D films is that they “cannot be pirated”, said Katzenberg.

According to the chief executive, from 2009 onwards all Dreamworks films will be in 3D, such as Shrek 4 and Monsters vs Aliens. “Viewers are willing to pay $5 more per ticket to watch these films,” said Mr Katzenberg. Two-dimensional films would not disappear, but of the 500 films released each year, 15 per cent of them accounted for 75 per cent of cinema tickets sold, he said. “I believe two-thirds of these blockbusters would benefit from being 3D.” Added costs would accrue to producers of 3D movies, with Katzenberg estimating $12-15m (€9-11m) extra for animated features and $5-$6m (€3.7-4.5m) for action movies, as well as $17,000 (€12,500) per cinema for updated projectors.