Peter Jackson decided to buck the norm when it came to filming his new back-to-back films for
The Hobbit. Instead of going with 24 frames per second he decided to up the ante to 48 frames. This advancement was put on display a few days ago at Las Vegas' CinemaCon when Jackson screened ten minutes of
The Hobbit. The reaction was not glowing to say the least. Many found the images to be something akin to a live sporting event. It was too life-like for some, taking them out of the fantasy world that the movie is built around.
Peter Jackson has heard the complaints and has decided to defend the new technology.
“Nobody is going to stop. This technology is going to keep evolving. At first it’s unusual because you’ve never seen a movie like this before. It’s literally a new experience, but you know, that doesn’t last the entire experience of the film; not by any stretch, after 10 minutes or so. That’s a different experience than if you see a fast-cutting montage at a technical presentation.”
“There can only ever be a real reaction, a truthful reaction when people actually have a chance to see a complete narrative on a particular film.”
With anything new it must be assumed that an adjustment period will be needed. There is a chance that the viewer will enjoy the higher frame rate when they become more accustomed to it. Jackson is quick to point out that as a possible conclusion to the negative responses.
“A couple of the more negative commenters from CinemaCon said that in the Gollum and Bilbo scene [which took place later in the presentation] they didn’t mind it and got used to that. That was the same 48 frames the rest of the reel was. I just wonder if it they were getting into the dialogue, the characters and the story. That’s what happens in the movie. You settle into it.”
Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. came to Jackson's defense.
“It might not initially be accepted by all, but eventually [Jackson] feels it will be and eventually it can only improve. I think by the time he presents this film finished, the majority of moviegoers will accept it and be pleased.”
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is due out on December 14, 2012, with The Hobbit: There and Back Again arriving a year later, on December 13, 2013. The Hobbit is an upcoming two-part epic fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson. It is a film adaptation of the 1937 novel of the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien and prequel to The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings, returns as director of the film and also serves as producer and co-writer. The film will star Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage, known for playing Lucas North in the BBC drama series Spooks, as Thorin Oakenshield. Several actors from Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy will reprise their roles, including Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, and Orlando Bloom. Additionally, composer Howard Shore, who wrote the score for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has confirmed his role in both parts of the film project. The two parts, entitled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again, are being filmed back to back and are currently in production in New Zealand; principal photography began on March 21, 2011. They are scheduled to be released on December 14, 2012 and December 13, 2013, respectively.
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