<p>The 3D version of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' which is premiering at a multiplex here on July 15 promises to give audiences such a close experience.<br />But only a 30-minute portion of the film will be in 3D version and the rest in a digitally remastered version.<br />"It will be a 30-minute 'inthru' three-dimensional experience where you can see the breathtaking episodes, including the climax, happening around you as you feel like interacting with them," Aeren Imax Director Jim Patterson told PTI here.<br />While Aeren-IMAX will be the only theatre to release the film in 3D version on its six screens in the country, two of them in Kolkata and Hyderabad, the 2D version will run concurrently in its other theatres, Patterson said.<br />Imax sources said split between the opening and the finale, Voldemort's onslaught and the Astronomy Tower battle could be the highlights of the 30-minute 'maximised' 3D (plus one) version. <br /><br />Patterson said a prequel of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was digitally converted to fit the 20 metre-high Imax theatres in July, 2007, in an arrangement between IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures, though it was not in 3D format.<br />The 2D versions of Harry Potter films had made Rs two crore business in Kolkata alone without IMAX setting its foot in this part of the country. This explains why transforming the spectacular special effects films into 3D makes good business sense.<br />However, converting the entire over two-hour long film into 3D will incur huge expenses, something which has not been commercially viable as yet, he explains.<br />Asked about the difference between IMAX-sponsored 3D films and other 3D films, Patterson claimed the 'inthru' technology devised by IMAX Canada draws on maximising the 3D projection, almost 10 times bigger than 3D films shown elsewhere with the viewer "immersed" in the four-dimensional' images floating around by donning special 3D glasses.<br />IMAX is also showing the first full-length digital film Fly Me To The Moon in the country at its Kolkata theatre in June. Short length ones like Sea Monsters by National Geographic, a combination of live action and computer 3D graphics, Wild Ocean and Monsters v/s Aliens by Dreamworks are also in the pipeline. <br /><br />"While the short length 2D prints were all converted and projected as 3Ds, the story on the lunar trip was for the first time in India a full-length digital 3Dfilm," Patterson explained.<br />Another keenly awaited release is the all time favourites Star Trek's IMAX digitally remastered version.<br />Asked about 3D versions of Bollywood blockbusters, he said "I think that may not be possible considering the different format and mount used in Bollywood films.<br />IMAX Kolkata Manager Rajdeep Bose claimed that 3D viewers in Kolkata shot upto 12,000 in May from 3,560 viewers in February.</p>
<p>The 3D version of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' which is premiering at a multiplex here on July 15 promises to give audiences such a close experience.<br />But only a 30-minute portion of the film will be in 3D version and the rest in a digitally remastered version.<br />"It will be a 30-minute 'inthru' three-dimensional experience where you can see the breathtaking episodes, including the climax, happening around you as you feel like interacting with them," Aeren Imax Director Jim Patterson told PTI here.<br />While Aeren-IMAX will be the only theatre to release the film in 3D version on its six screens in the country, two of them in Kolkata and Hyderabad, the 2D version will run concurrently in its other theatres, Patterson said.<br />Imax sources said split between the opening and the finale, Voldemort's onslaught and the Astronomy Tower battle could be the highlights of the 30-minute 'maximised' 3D (plus one) version. <br /><br />Patterson said a prequel of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was digitally converted to fit the 20 metre-high Imax theatres in July, 2007, in an arrangement between IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures, though it was not in 3D format.<br />The 2D versions of Harry Potter films had made Rs two crore business in Kolkata alone without IMAX setting its foot in this part of the country. This explains why transforming the spectacular special effects films into 3D makes good business sense.<br />However, converting the entire over two-hour long film into 3D will incur huge expenses, something which has not been commercially viable as yet, he explains.<br />Asked about the difference between IMAX-sponsored 3D films and other 3D films, Patterson claimed the 'inthru' technology devised by IMAX Canada draws on maximising the 3D projection, almost 10 times bigger than 3D films shown elsewhere with the viewer "immersed" in the four-dimensional' images floating around by donning special 3D glasses.<br />IMAX is also showing the first full-length digital film Fly Me To The Moon in the country at its Kolkata theatre in June. Short length ones like Sea Monsters by National Geographic, a combination of live action and computer 3D graphics, Wild Ocean and Monsters v/s Aliens by Dreamworks are also in the pipeline. <br /><br />"While the short length 2D prints were all converted and projected as 3Ds, the story on the lunar trip was for the first time in India a full-length digital 3Dfilm," Patterson explained.<br />Another keenly awaited release is the all time favourites Star Trek's IMAX digitally remastered version.<br />Asked about 3D versions of Bollywood blockbusters, he said "I think that may not be possible considering the different format and mount used in Bollywood films.<br />IMAX Kolkata Manager Rajdeep Bose claimed that 3D viewers in Kolkata shot upto 12,000 in May from 3,560 viewers in February.</p>