OZ Director Sam Raimi New Interview: ‘I Went to 3D School’ (Audio)
- Details
- Category: Interviews
- Created: Monday, 04 March 2013 22:58
- Published: Monday, 04 March 2013 22:58
- Written by Lupe Haas
Director Sam Raimi never directed a film in 3D so for OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, the Spiderman and Evil Dead helmer says he went to 3D school to figure out how not to give the audience a headache.
Listen to interview below.During an interview with the director and cast of the OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, Sam Raimi admits taking on the ambitious adaptation of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was a “tremendous” new challenge for him. While his expertise in shooting special effects from the Spiderman movies was certainly an advantage, the 3D aspect was daunting to learn.
“I’ve never been part of anything so gigantic before so that was a new challenge.”The director was determined to learn all aspects of 3D including studying the camera system, meeting with technicians, and visiting special effects houses to listen to what different visual effects artists had to say about working with the systems.
Before production, Raimi took the time to shoot tests to see what the effects of convergence are on the audience. “I used to get headaches,” says the director, so he was determined not to make the same mistakes of past productions. During the press conference, even his leading lady Rachel Weisz was interested in finding out why 3D cause headaches.
Raimi obliged Weisz and the press an explanation. Raimi believes there are four reasons, but warns he may be skipping details.
1. Don’t change convergence from shot to shot
Raimi says cutting from foreground to deep background back to foreground causes eye strain. The audience eyes must adjust quickly. “It has to be delicately handled,” according to the helmer.
The eyes aren’t the only ones adjusting. You can’t make the “brains work so hard,” says the veteran director. For dramatic adjustments, longer shots are recommended or taking them to what he calls “a little stairway” from convergence level to convergence level lessens the stress on the brain.
Otherwise, viewer’s brain and eye muscles are working in a way they are not accustomed to and hence the headache. However, he discovered that individuals can develop a muscle for it or a “tolerance.”
He also learned of other methods of reducing the visual overload.
2. Where the images on screen
He also touched upon not cutting dramatically from left and right to minimize the strain.
The last two elements also play a part in 3D.
3. Brightness
4. Ghosting in the background
While he couldn’t elaborate on the technical aspects of 3D for the sake of time, Sam Raimi proved to be a learner. The 3D isn’t intrusive and enhances the world of Emerald City, and all without a headache. OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL opens March 8, 2013.