Didn't Cameron plan (or just hope?) to have a whole slew of new 3D projectors ready in time for Avatar? Is that still the plan? Or is it going to be just 3D on a few hundred screens and the rest on standard screens? I really like James Cameron and everything he does. So I usually keep up on Avatar news and whatnot. But I haven't seen anything mentioned lately - regarding what's going to happen with the distribution and whatnot.

And, for that matter, when do we get a glimpse? I mean, it's a $300mil movie and it's coming out in nine months. Thought we'd get some sort of teaser by now. Can't wait to see him back in narrative mode again.

There are nearly 1300 screens capable of DLP in the US at the current moment.

By the time Avatar hits theaters, I wouldn't be surprised if that number is closer to 2000.

yet with the recession, AMC and Regal stalled it's plans on purchasing/installing DLP screens within their chains, they've been selective on which screens will get 3D systems but for the conversion to all digital screens has come to a current stand still at the moment. [The systems are still prohibitively expensive]

The recession hasn't really effected the movie biz yet. And I don't know if it will. Movies are still the cheapest form of entertainment. On another note, I don't like 3D, at all. It just hurts my eye's.

Press releases on Real D's site and Marketsaw report today that AMC Theatres have signed with Real D to install 1500 Digital 3-D screens in the US and Canada. The rollout has already begun, with new screens added monthly.

It also says that there are now 2600 Real D setups installed worldwide; with commitments in place to eventually bring the total to over 8000. The 2600 number seems high, as I didn't think MONSTERS VS ALIENS is opening on that many 3-D screens today, even if you factor in the much smaller precentage of Dolby 3D and IMAX screens.

marketsaw.blogspot.com

www.reald.com

Interesting. The theater I go to (Regal) only has one digital projector as of now. But I'm cool with that, I prefer film anyways.

It definitely seems like movies keep getting better and more creative, that's for sure! The lineup for the next couple of months is just awesome. 3D or not 3D i am there! I like the variation.

Maybe for the next few months but not as a whole.

The trend continues....3-D version did far better than 2-D.

MONSTERS VS ALIENS opened on 7600 screens, with about 2000 showing the 3-D version. US Weekend box office was $58.2 million; with $32.6 million coming from the 3-D screens, which account for less than a third of the showings.

www.boxofficemojo.com

^ do they also break it down between IMAX screenings vs. 3D DLP?

Giles, yes they did.

The IMAX 3D showings grossed $5.2 million, while Digital 3-D venues brought in $27.4 million ($32.6 total 3-D weekend)

Ya, that is awesome. I know there is an audience out there for these sorts of movies. They are entertaining and different. I want to check out M vs. A this coming weekend.

At the end of 2009, the US had 38,605 theatrical screens. Less than 3,000 are capable of 3D; meaning the number of capable 3D screens sits at 7-8%. Before 2009 started, the number was under 2,000 meaning there was 50% growth prior to Avatar's release.

If that number continues, especially with Technicolor's 3D lens for 35mm projectors; we could see close to 5,000 3D capable screens by the end of 2010.

As of right now, Box Office Mojo lists the following films for 3D release in 2010:

How to Train Your Dragon
Clash of the Titans
Shrek Forever After
Toy Story 3
Despicable Me
Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore
Step Up 3-D
Piranha 3-D
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Legend of the Guardians
Alpha and Omega
Jackass 3-D
Saw VII
Tangled
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part One)
Yogi Bear

Guess which ones were actually shot in 3D?

Step Up 3D, Jackass 3-D and Saw VII are the only confirmed (up to this point) being shot using 3D cameras. Everything else has been done in post (ugh).

And with the news DreamWorks isn't allowing theaters to play How To Train Your Dragon in 2D unless they play it in 3D, this trend needs to end now.

Wasn't there a rumor of the new Riddley Scott Robin Hood movie being also done in 3D post? Or did they shut it down.

Also who in their sane fucking mind asked for/green lit "Cats and Dogs:Revenge of Kitty Galore"

Yes, but it was shut down.

Cats and Dogs:Revenge of Kitty Galore has also been sitting on the shelf for God knows how many years. Why it took so long to release it, I don't know. However, it's getting a 3D theatrical release.

Big ticket price increase for 3D pics
Surcharge to go over 25%, report says
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK, ANDREW STEWART

Ticket prices for 3D pics are rising fast, as exhibitors nationwide are looking to get more bang for their buck.

Some circuits are hiking ticket prices by as much as 26% in anticipation of Paramount's launch of 3D toon "How to Train Your Dragon" on Friday, according to a survey released Wednesday by Wall Street media analyst Richard Greenfield of BTIG.

Upcharge for 3D tickets has risen from an average extra $2-$3 to $3.50 or more in many cases, and even $5 in some theaters in such markets as Los Angeles and New York.

These numbers exclude Imax 3D ticket prices, which have always been significantly higher.

The hike in 3D prices will boost both returns to exhibs and distribs, with studios receiving 45% to 55% of total box office, depending on the film and how many weeks it has been playing.

Greenfield surveyed 10 theaters in different major U.S. markets, finding a 8.3% hike for 3D locations and an increase of 9.9% for 3D-equipped Imax screens. The cost for adult 3D tickets will increase to an average $14.73 from $13.60, whereas 3D Imax screens will cost adults an average of $16.63, up from $15.13.

At the AMC Loews Liberty Tree in Boston, the premium for Imax 3D screens is increasing from 38% to 66% more than 2D prices for adults, and 40% more for children.

"If consumers absorb the price increases without issue, we believe it bodes well for the pricing power of the movie exhibition industry," said the report.

"It appears that each theater circuit has its own strategy related to price increases this weekend. Certain chains are raising prices across the board, some are focusing on the 3D ticket premium, and others are focusing only on raising adult ticket prices."

On average, 3D ticket prices for the 10 theaters surveyed will see a $1.13 hike in adult 3D tickets and $1.50 for 3D-equipped Imax screens.

With the success of Disney's 3D fantasy "Alice in Wonderland" (cuming $265.4 million as of Sunday) and 20th Century Fox's "Avatar" (whose cume has topped $736 million domestically), it's unclear how moviegoers will react to the increased prices.

Many AMC theaters across the country offered a special "Alice" upcharge of only $3.

Paramount will launch "Dragon" at 2,150 3D-equipped locations, with Imax committed to a six-week run at 185 domestic Imax locations and an additional 38 day-and-date location overseas. Domestically, location count for "Dragon" is approximately 4,000 runs.

Warner Bros. will roll out 3D offering "Clash of the Titans" on April 2.

Yeah, good luck with the price hike, greedy bastards... Won't be getting my money.

The new jumps in 3D Technology are nice and all but I'm finding I'm increasingly put off by 3D films. I'm tired of this returning gimmick already.

I hate to sound like some of the dvdtalk film snobs who think they should be running the Movie world and dictating what everyone should like and dislike ....but I don't want to see every other film in 3D.

Im just waiting patiently for the first big 3D movie to flop, so this nonsense will be over. 3D TV will take care of itself.

Higher ticket prices for 3D movies? I didn't see that one coming.

I'll just do what I've been doing for years, wait till the DVD comes out or for the movie to appear on TV.

Sure you say that now... but wait until plump preggo porn starts the 3D trend.

I don't know but "Revenge of Kitty Galore" almost made me spray soda over the computer screen.

I will admit, it's kind of a clever title.

Yep, just checked Fandango & starting tomorrow all of our prices (2D & 3D) except senior go up .50. Matinees are now $8 ($7 for children & seniors) & after 3pm tickets go from $9.50 to $10. All 3D are $3.50 more so an adult 3D is going up to $13.50. I feel sorry for people in NY & LA who probably are already paying way more than this but this is a small town in SW Florida.

I LOVE 3D but I simply REFUSE to pay the current ticket prices for any movie (around $10) and definitely won't pay more for 3D. The last movie I paid to see at a theater was Meet The Robinsons, and only because my friend worked on it. It was $7.50 for a damn bargain matinee; I remember when matinees were $3, the screens were bigger, and there were NO commercials!

What's depressing is that about 15 years ago when prices in New York first hit $10, mayor Ed Koch called for a boycott. Hardly anyone did.