Chapter 309: True and Fake 3D

"Are all those big films you've made in the past going to be converted to 3D?" Yang Hongtao asked in a probing tone.

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "Not exactly; I'm just picking a few that are more suitable, but there are also several, so I'm afraid I won't be able to take orders from domestic peers for the next two or three years!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Hongtao still had his mouth slightly open, his expression shocked.

Mainly, over these years Jiang Heng has made too many big films, and the vast majority of them are above standard.

Even in their 2D versions, they were already very shocking.

If they were all converted to 3D, would there still be a way for others to survive? For example, when Ningxia Film Industry's "Painted Skin" was released, Jiang Heng pulled out a 3D‑converted film to compete; imagining that scene, Yang Hongtao couldn't help but tremble slightly, and his tone grew even more gentle.

"Well, then congratulations, Director Jiang—with so many big films being re‑released, you'll make a lot more money!"

Jiang Heng gave a hehe laugh and said, "It's not all about making money; nowadays audiences just like watching 3D films. As people in the film industry, we should try to meet the audience's demands, shouldn't we?"

Yang Hongtao laughed and cried at the same time, thinking to himself, "This line of talk is even smoother than mine!"

He quickly said, "Director Jiang cares about the public's viewing needs; no wonder he's called the National Master!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng burst out laughing! Logically, since the Olympic Games haven't opened yet, the title "National Master" has only been circulating in a small circle.

But ever since the 3D version of *Havoc in Heaven* was released, countless people have hailed this film as the world's best special‑effects blockbuster, and the name "National Master" spread from there.

Whenever Jiang Heng hears people say that, he still feels obliged to be modest a couple of times.

"I dare not accept the title of National Master; the opening and closing ceremony work isn't finished yet! Director Yang, Director Chen, do we have time to go out for a meal and chat more?"

"Okay, okay, we wouldn't dare to delay you—we'll head out first!"

Yang Hongtao and Chen Jiashang immediately took their leave, left the Olympic venue, and Yang Hongtao said with lingering fear, "Over these years, how many films has he made?"

"About ten or so!"

"If every one of them were converted to 3D, how much more money would we make?" Yang Hongtao's eyes turned red with envy.

Chen Jiashang is much the same; after all, as a fellow director, the works he can be proud of over the years are only a handful.

Compared to Jiang Heng, his mindset can't help but be unbalanced.

The two walked and talked, and the topic of Jiang Heng's works being converted to 3D heated up.

Little did they know, Jiang Heng's side only planned to re‑release a few films.

After all, this smells like a money‑making scheme; if all his past films were re‑released, it would look too tacky and could provoke public backlash.

Moreover, in the coming period the market will see a large number of post‑production 3D‑converted films, i. e., the so‑called "Fake 3D".

The quality of these films is really not good.

The reason is simple: true 3D film uses the method by which human eyes perceive objects, employing two side‑by‑side mounted movie cameras that represent the left and right eyes, simultaneously shooting two frames with a slight horizontal parallax.

During projection, specially made polarizing glasses can overlay the left and right "double images" on the retina; the brain's nerves generate a three‑dimensional visual effect, presenting a series of continuous stereoscopic images that make the audience feel the magical illusion of "being there".

Meanwhile, "Fake 3D" is a time‑ and labor‑saving lazy act: using an ordinary video camera to shoot flat images, then on the computer creating a few layers that are slightly offset via software.

Because the offset distance is calculated from the camera's foreground‑midground‑background distances using a formula, compared with the picture produced by true 3D shooting, it naturally has a deviation.

The biggest drawback is that the image lacks depth perception, making the audience feel it's "flat"; on the contrary, simple‑layout subtitles look more three‑dimensional than the picture.

Jiang Heng has a "Super Microcomputer," so he can naturally solve this problem and produce a conversion comparable to *Havoc in Heaven*.

He outwardly claims it took many years of painstaking work; if every one were far superior to other converted films and yet unusually fast, it would be hard to explain.

As for the first 3D‑converted film to be released, it is precisely Jiang Heng's favorite, *The Lion‑Camel Ridge*.

If it followed the practices of Hollywood or domestic companies, this film would certainly be a flop.

The reason is simple: the film contains many fight scenes that all take place at night.

In his previous life, Hollywood companies made how much money by churning out "China‑special 3D versions"!

Since the special‑effects scenes are mostly night scenes, they get skimped on during conversion, and when projected the xenon lamps are dim, so the viewing effect is terrible.

Fortunately Jiang Heng has a "cheat," allowing him to make the 3D effect a bit better; otherwise he wouldn't bother doing this.

After finishing the morning's work, Liu Yifei suddenly called.

She had already joined the crew of *A Chinese Ghost Story* and was heading to Hengdian.

The film began shooting in mid‑July, first filming all the scenes except those of Ning Caichen.

Liu Yifei first shared an account of her morning, then immediately said, "By the way, will this movie have a 3D version?"

"Why are you asking that?"

"Just, I'm kinda curious!"

"Speaking honestly!"

"Um, this is the first big film we're co‑starring in; I just want the box office to be higher and the reputation better!" Liu Yifei said softly.

The unspoken situation is that Guo Fan has been muttering lately that this film should have a 3D version; although its box office won't match that of *Havoc in Heaven*, it will certainly be quite high.

After hearing it many times, Liu Yifei kept it in mind.

The actual box office of the film doesn't have much direct relation to her, since she's paid a salary.

Just thinking that this is the first special‑effects blockbuster she co‑stars with Jiang Heng, she wanted both reputation and box office to be abundant, so she couldn't help asking.

On Jiang Heng's side, frankly he really hasn't considered releasing a 3D version of *A Chinese Ghost Story*.

After all, it's directed by Guo Fan, and besides, there's a lot going on at the Olympic venue here, so time just flew by.

Hearing Liu Yifei suddenly bring this up, he thought and said, "Actually we could make a version—let Guo Fan shoot normally first, then later, during post‑production, we'll convert it to 3D."

Liu Yifei, who was one of the seven fairies in *Havoc in Heaven*, has seen how Jiang Heng shoots and roughly knows the difference between true and fake 3D.

"Oh, the effect won't be too bad, right?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "If others did it that way, the effect would surely be ordinary, but mine would be different!"

"All right, I believe you!" Liu Yifei felt satisfied, exchanged a few affectionate words, and hung up.

In the evening, Da Tian Tian suddenly called, using an extremely surprised and extremely happy tone: "Brother, the stocks have risen, they've hit several limit‑up boards—you're too awesome!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng laughed and said, "Your side, have you just gotten online? You only noticed this now?"

Da Tian Tian felt embarrassed and said, "I didn't forget! Who let this year's market be so bad, falling nonstop—once I open the trading software it's all green, and it's turned my face green!"

Jiang Heng heard the words, burst out laughing! (End of chapter)