3D Fever!

Last night my five-year-old son and I visited the local IMAX theater and watched DreamWorks' Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D. I've experienced IMAX screens before, but this was the first time I watched a movie with 3D glasses. It was an amazing experience. Despite the glasses being a little bulky, I believe this is the way 3D animated movies were intended to be viewed. The clarity was so sharp and the depth of most of the scenes was so surreal. Recalling those scenes in my mind, the way I recorded them in my brain, it feels like I remember actually being there in the scene.

I look forward to more computer animated movies in 3D. I read today that in October 2009, there will be a 3D release of Toy Story and Toy Story 2. All Pixar movies are now being released in 3D as well as the regular 2D viewing. I believe 3D viewing of movies is just getting started. I thought it had it's heyday back in the 80's, but with advancements in technology, I believe we're going to have many more cinematic experiences in 3D.

Creativity can't be bought

Posted at: http://gigaom.com/2009/04/05/disneys-iger-shows-up-the-street/

Walt Disney used to say, “We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.” It’s good to see that ethos is still alive and well at Walt Disney Co.. When a bunch of Wall Street analysts and toy retailers expressed doubts about the financial potential of Disney’s new Pixar movie, Up, CEO Robert A. Iger told The New York Times:

We seek to make great films first. If a great film gives birth to a franchise, we are the first company to leverage such success. A check-the-boxes approach to creativity is more likely to result in blandness and failure.

Well said. It is easy to fall prey to a “check the boxes” approach and veer away from the core beliefs and values of your company. If that happens, you’re left with forgettable products that lack vision.