In the last few months, Hollywood has noticed that while this time last year releasing anything in 3D meant bumper box office, audiences have become more savvy, with the result that although studios have invested hugely in the technology, the returns are becoming less impressive. However James Cameron has the answer – 4D.
Talking at CinemaCon, mainly about his drive to get filmmakers to shoot at higher framerates (which will reduce 3D strobing), he added, “I just want the industry to be ready for Avatar 2, which won’t just be shot at a higher framerate, but will also be in 4D.”
When pressed further, Cameron said that he’s been, “Talking to scientists, you know, really clever ones. I read that superstring theory suggests there are loads more dimensions locked up and currently inaccessible in the subatomic universe, so we’re going to unfold one of those so cinemagoers have an entire new dimension they’ve never experienced before. Avatar 2 won’t just have boring old depth like the first film, but a complete extra dimension that’s usually parallel to the ones we’re used to.”
When asked whether human senses would be able comprehend this new dimension, even if it were unlocked, Cameron merely said, “That’s not important, if it’s there, we can charge more for the cinema tickets.”
This comes only a few days after a meeting between top studio execs in Hollywood about whether all 3D films are actually 4D anyway, as they don’t just have length, breadth and depth, but also take place over a specific period of time. An insider says, “The studios are currently slapping their foreheads, as while Einstein related space and time into a single four-dimensional concept in 1908, up until now Hollywood hasn’t been charging extra for the fact audiences get to experience the excitement of time moving forward while they watch a movie. It could be a significant extra revenue stream.”
When Cameron was asked whether all this was just a way to bilk more money off people, he replied, “You say pointless rip-off, I say revolution in moviemaking. And anyway, I’m f**king James Cameron!”