[Source: Deadline, by Alex Billington]
It all comes down to this. In just two days, Michael Bay’s final, epic sequel, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, will hit theaters in glorious 3D, wrapping up his trilogy of Transformers movies. The reviews are saying it’s one of the best action movies this summer, that Bay redeems himself, and also that it has some of the best cinematic 3D anyone has ever seen. But, of course, 3D has its problems, one being how dark it looks once you wear polarizing 3D glasses. Well, Michael Bay has taken it upon himself and written a letter to projectionists and even issued a brighter digital 3D print to hopefully minimize any issues with his movie.
Most moviegoers have probably already heard about Bay’s recent plea to go 3D and go brighter on 3D with Dark of the Moon, because he’s done a damn good job of making sure everyone has heard, but his letter to projectionists just popped up online thanks to Deadline (via The Film Stage) after details from it were first reported by NY Times. In it (you can see it just beneath this), Bay asks that they prevent “dark dingy” 3D by making sure all the projectors are at proper brightness. He also mentions the “Platinum 6 version” of the movie, which is a brighter digital 3D print sent only to theaters capable of projecting “6-foot lamberts.”
As revealed previously, these special prints which will be showing with all digital 3D presentations startingTuesday night, have been mastered and color graded for the extra brightness. “We have created a special version with extra sharpening, color and contrast. It is a superior look in the format. The brighter the image, the brain processes in a different way and the result sharpens and makes it more vibrant.” Awesome. It sounds like this is truly the way to see it and I can’t wait to experience the Michael Bay-3D with Dark of the Moon. Letters to projectionists seem to be the in thing, as Terrence Malick sent one with Tree of Life as well.
Here is the letter that Michael Bay included with prints of Transformers: Dark of the Moon being sent out. The photo comes from Deadline. More information on the brighter 3D prints can also be found at NYTimes.
Bay also took a moment to thank all of the fans in a message on his blog MichaelBay.com. Not only did he thank them for allowing him to “have fun with the Transformers franchise,” but he strongly encourages everyone to go see Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3D (and no other way!). Here’s a piece of his note:
“I just want to take the opportunity to thank all the fans around the world for letting me have fun with the Transformers franchise. It has been a wonderful opportunity to have worked with about 4000 crew members around the world. These artists are some of the very best in the entire film business. I’m honored to have had you work along side me. We had an amazing time.
‘Dark of the Moon’ has some of the most technically challenging sequences ever shot. And shot in 3D. I must urge you to find the very best theatre and see this movie in that format. 3D was a forethought, not an afterthought in this movie. I’m glad Jim Cameronand Steven Spielberg really convinced me to shoot in this new technology. We used and invented many new techniques to make the 3D sharper, brighter and more color contrast. I think theatre owners heard their audience that they need to respect the specs of the projectors and not dim the bulbs to save money.”
Damn straight! That also goes right along with one of the best parts of Bay’s letter: “Projectionists are of ultimate importance because your expertise defines the audience’s experience.” I really think people forget how important proper projection is in making the theatrical experience perfect. I think my respect for Michael Bay is growing, and honestly, I can’t frickin’ wait to see Dark of the Moon, even though I’ve still got Revenge of the Fallen in the back of my mind. But this time it’s about the 3D and from all we’ve heard, all the feedback so far, it sounds like Bay may have even topped the first one. But if anything, I’m just hoping to be entertained. “Hopefully you will have as much fun watching this movie as we all had making it.” Me, too.