Laser Cats 3D!

Tim Dashwood · April 6th, 2008, 05:32 PM

This was on last night's SNL episode. Very funny.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Li...tml#mea=237292

Chris Hurd · April 7th, 2008, 08:30 AM

I saw that on broadcast, but didn't have my cardboard anaglyphs handy at the time.

Tim Dashwood · April 7th, 2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

I saw that on broadcast, but didn't have my cardboard anaglyphs handy at the time.

I pulled my cardboard anaglyph glasses out for the small version linked above and it actually works. I'm sure they just strapped a couple handycams together, but it is still funny that they went to the trouble to ACTUALLY make it 3D and not just faked for the sake of the joke.

Eric Deren · April 9th, 2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

but it is still funny that they went to the "trouble" to ACTUALLY make it 3D and not just faked for the sake of the joke.

I think the real "trouble" with this skit is how ridiculous this makes 3D look. If this were a comedy skit with a "shot in Cinemascope" moment, what perception of Cinemascope would you be left with?

I do realize that this list is mostly 3D hobbyists, so maybe this is falling on deaf ears, but the concept of using 3D as a "gimmick" will kill the popular perception of 3D (again) faster than anything. There are persons who feel that if they don't give their viewers several "3D moments" an hour (eye-poking 3D, etc), that the viewers are going to leave the theaters unhappy. The sooner we step outside of this theme-park mentality, the sooner we are going to be able to open stereoscopic up as the intense, immersive storytelling tool it can be.

Don't throw things at your audience... draw people in.

-Eric

Tim Dashwood · April 9th, 2008, 05:04 AM

I think the sketch is really making fun of the 3D revival (the late 70's/80's) with Jaws 3D, Amityville 3D, Friday the 13th Part 3D, etc. Those were all "Part III" sequels and this is the third Laser Cats film. That's why I find it funny. I don't think they are making a comment on the current 3D trend in any way. These guys grew up in the 70's/80's and that is their frame of reference. (Have you seen Hot Rod?)
Unfortunately 3D WAS used as a gimmick back then, and you did have those "3D moments" where you had to put your glasses on, then take them off. Luckily for us 3D is becoming a standard technology, just like THX, Dolby Surround, etc. Not a gimmick, just an edge.

Charles Papert · April 9th, 2008, 09:50 AM

I'd agree with you there Tim.

I had no idea that the 3D sections were actually functional, that's hilarious, just assumed they slapped the effect together. The whole thing reminded me of my Super-8 adventures in early high school, complete with the hand-scratched laser zaps right on the emulsion.

I laughed a LOT at this one. And the sight of that tiny pug pup going after the bemused cat made my day. Thanks for posting!

Jack Zhang · April 27th, 2008, 01:07 AM

Way too short for me to call. Only 5 or so seconds of footage? A longer amount would've done better justice.

April 6th, 2008, 05:32 PM	#1
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 2,642	Laser Cats 3D! This was on last night's SNL episode. Very funny. http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Li...tml#mea=237292 __________________ Tim Dashwood

April 7th, 2008, 08:30 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 21,282 Images: 535	I saw that on broadcast, but didn't have my cardboard anaglyphs handy at the time. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DV Info Net Sponsors \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 9th, 2008, 05:04 AM	#5
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 2,642	I think the sketch is really making fun of the 3D revival (the late 70's/80's) with Jaws 3D, Amityville 3D, Friday the 13th Part 3D, etc. Those were all "Part III" sequels and this is the third Laser Cats film. That's why I find it funny. I don't think they are making a comment on the current 3D trend in any way. These guys grew up in the 70's/80's and that is their frame of reference. (Have you seen Hot Rod?) Unfortunately 3D WAS used as a gimmick back then, and you did have those "3D moments" where you had to put your glasses on, then take them off. Luckily for us 3D is becoming a standard technology, just like THX, Dolby Surround, etc. Not a gimmick, just an edge. __________________ Tim Dashwood

April 9th, 2008, 09:50 AM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,967	I'd agree with you there Tim. I had no idea that the 3D sections were actually functional, that's hilarious, just assumed they slapped the effect together. The whole thing reminded me of my Super-8 adventures in early high school, complete with the hand-scratched laser zaps right on the emulsion. I laughed a LOT at this one. And the sight of that tiny pug pup going after the bemused cat made my day. Thanks for posting! __________________ Charles Papert, SOC www.charlespapert.com

April 27th, 2008, 01:07 AM	#7
Jack Zhang Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 960	Way too short for me to call. Only 5 or so seconds of footage? A longer amount would've done better justice. __________________ I dream of 3 1920x1080 global shutter sensors capturing in AVC (High 4:2:2 Intra profile) at 200Mbps in 1080p60 recording to 96GB SxS cards in the .mxf container.

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