There was a special panel at ShoWest recently discussing "The New Frontier" of exhibition. After the Hannah Montana concert film smashed all expectations and made the idea of alternative uses for screens more attractive, it has begun a train of thought. While auditoriums have been used for many other revenue generating purposes (closed circuit concerts and sporting events, business meetings, church gatherings), never has there been a line of thinking that this is the direction cinema should be going. While I think it is drastic to assume that the traditional film will fall by the wayside, it certainly is a possibility. James Cameron’s “Avatar” will be a big stepping stone in the world of 3D cinema, and should it do as well as many think, the floodgates will open. We will see more and more directors and studios moving into the realm of 3D exhibition and away from the traditional filmmaking. While this will lead to much innovation and will be an interesting time to be a movie fan, it does raise other concerns. With the growth of 3D cinema and the doors this has opened for other digital product, can it be too long before the 2D film is no more? Granted, theater operators have to think about the bottom line, but it would be sad to think that I couldn't go into the local multiplex and experience what has made movies so magical for so long. Sure, 3D is flashy, and it is nice to know if you miss one concert showing, there'll be another coming along in an hour. But this should not be the main focus. The main focus should be quality story telling, beautiful acting, and a communal experience that you can't get at home. I just hope there's some way to meld one to the other and not have the traditional go extinct.
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