Sellers say the format stirs interest, but the costs can be an issue.

3D titles are building a stronger presence at this year’s BEXCO-held Busan market, with Boon Joon-ho’s The Host 3D, converted from the original 2D 2006 hit, and Tsui Hark’s $35 million The Flying Swords of the Dragon Gateleading the pack. For a potential high-profile blockbuster such as Swords, 3D is just another commercial element among many. “The fact that it’s the first Chinese-language martial arts film fully shot in true 3D generates keen interest,” said Virginia Leung, head of sales at Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop. 

For genre titles, 3D certainly is a selling point, but it’s not a sure thing, which is why the thriller Dark Flight from Thailand’s Five Star Productions is being offered in both 2D and 3D. “With a choice, buyers are defi- nitely more interested in knowing more about the 3D version, but no actual sale has been made yet,” said the company’s Pannita Likitthammasarn.

A 3D film’s chances are helped if the genre is a director’s specialty, such as Universe Films’ psychological thriller Sleepwalker 3D by director Oxide Pang. The Angelica Lee vehicle, selected in-competition at the upcoming Tokyo Inter- national Film Festival, is the second 3D Universe release since 2010’s The Child’s Eye 3D by Pang, along with his twin Danny. “We’re cautious choosing films to make in 3D, only the suitable genres make the cut,” said Universe COO Alvin Lam. “The story of Sleepwalker is intriguing enough even if it’s not in 3D, but the 3D element does help attract the attention of buyers in certain regions not usually drawn to these kind of stories.”

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via The Hollywood Reporter

The movie “The Host” will be shown in 3D for the first time at the 2011 Pusan International Film Festival.

The original version was released in 2006 and set a box-office record in a very short amount of time. “The Host” maintained its number-one spot in Korea until James Cameron’s “Avatar” broke its record.

This is why many Korean netizens and movie fans are eagerly anticipating its new release. Even though the original version was released five years ago, the 3D version is expected to give its viewers a whole new experience. It is also expected to be a great hit in the whole Asian film market.

Choi Yong Bae, the film’s producer stated “Director Bong Joon Ho is very satisfied with the 3D version.” Bong Joon Ho will also get the chance to talk about his movie at the Pusan International Film Festival’s Gala Presentation.

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Via Soompi

The advent of technology has opened up many opportunities for aspiring filmmakers – and Intel Philippines’ digital shorts competition has done just that.

Intel Philippines’ marketing manager Randy Kanapi said “Digital Showdown” was part of their company’s campaign which tries “to harness the creativity of the Filipinos.”

Three contenders emerged as winners in the filmmaking contest – the grand prize going to Jay Jamoralin for his shortfilm “Chromatose”, second prize went to Patrick Uy for “Bagong Buhay”, and Gary Sta. Cruz, third with “Marvin’s Digital World.”

Local independent filmmaker RA Rivera, who along with fellow filmmaker Quark Henares, guided contestants in creating their short films and urged the youth to keep on making films, saying in Filipino that the conditions for kids to make their films were “good.”

Filmmakers can also easily show their work to various viewers, who may be total strangers, through the Internet, said Rivera.

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Via Technology Inquirer

Taiwan’s leading rock band Mayday returned to Taipei’s Ximen area Tuesday, where they first held a mini-concert before rising to fame in 1999.

Their concert film “Mayday 3DNA’ premiered at five theaters in the Ximen District following an outdoor opening ceremony, where nearly 1,000 enthusiastic fans thronged to the event to get a glimpse of the five-man band.

Touted as the first Chinese-language live-action 3D concert movie, it fuses Mayday’s live performances around Asia and three stories set in Taipei, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

“The film will turn the movie ticket in your hand into a concert ticket” because of its immersive 3D imagery that vividly presents their live concerts, drummer Ming Liu said.

He also reminded moviegoers to wear sneakers and bring blue glow sticks to the theaters and jump and scream as they would in a concert.

Bassist Masa Tsai joked that he worried fans might faint during the film because the image creates an exciting atmosphere just like a concert would.

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Via Focus Taiwan

Cutting edge 3D technology is putting new meaning to the phrase “true to life.”

Because of this latest evolution in the viewing experience, images can now be seen in three dimensions – height, length and width – such that you are tricked into believing that you can actually reach out and touch those people and stuff onscreen. That’s celluloid “augmented reality” for you.

This technology was first mainstreamed in the world of cinema, with blockbuster films such as “Avatar,” “Harry Potter,” “Rio,” “Up” and “Tangled,” but it’s now coming into ordinary homes via the growing line of pricey 3D televisions.

Leading the charge of 3D television in the country is Sony Philippines, a subsidiary of giant entertainment and technology company Sony Corp. of Japan.
According to Larry Secreto, director for Bravia Marketing, sales of Sony 3D televisions have “significantly” increased this year compared to last year, when many consumers were still feeling cautious because of the global economic crisis that peaked in 2009.

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Via Lifestyle Inquirer