As I am sure we are all well aware, Alice in Wonderland — Directed by Tim Burton and staring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter — is coming out, in Australia first, on March 4th. Before we go any further, let me just say, TAKE THAT AMERICA! Because of the time difference, we get this particularly amazing film almost two days before our usually movie-preempting friends (who will have it released on March 5th). Where some may scoff at my excitement at this marginal difference in release dates, I say, either join in or go back to America’s teat you passivist!
Anywho, when Avatar was released not too long ago, we all experienced the new generation of three-dimensional media and, apart from those of us who complain about their eyes hurting, it was amazing. Which inevitably got me thinking, how does 3D work? Well, you shall soon find out.
The way that the eye senses depth and distance is by having two of them. Each one produces a slightly different image of what you are looking at and when the brain puts them together it works out how far away something is. For example, cover one eye and hold your hand at arms length from your face. Now, slowly bring your hand forward and stop when you think it is about to hit your face. Open both eyes and what do you find? That your hand wasn’t really that close to you of course!
3D glasses work by having each eye see a slightly different image by looking through different lenses over each eye. Newfangled 3D or “Real-D” uses polarisation to create this effect, while the older generation not-so-real-D used colours — namely red and blue. Polarised 3D is much more expensive though, requiring two projectors overlapping on the screen at once.
The real benefit of Real-D is that it allows for the full colour images rather than muddy ones. And, if you watch the newest Alice in Wonderland trailer below, you will know why we need full colour for this film.
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