Film: 3D vs The Percepto

Cinemas around the country are adapting to 3D. But I think championing 3D is misguided (with the exception of animation films).

In the early 50’s there was a wave of 3D films in Hollywood then it fizzled out as quickly as it began. The same happened with the next wave, does anybody remember flocking to see Jaws 3D, Amityville 3D, Friday the 13th III 3D. More recently there’s been My Bloody Valentine 3D and The Final Destination 3D, not really a cause celebre.

As an alternative, filmmakers should resurrect horror movie maestro William Castle’s method of eliciting an immediate and physical response from his audience via an invention called the Percepto.

The Percepto was an electric buzzer that was wired to seats. At the appropriate moment in a film specially tailored for the Percepto (The Tingler (1958)), some of the audience received mild electric shocks.

Imagine doing the same to a modern audience, either tailoring a film for those exact effects, or create similar effects around existing films.

3D will fizzle out again, it's in its nature. As for the Percepto, its return is long overdue.

[This is an edited version. The unedited version can be found at http://andydwrightsfilmthoughts.blogspot.com/]