If being a part of a high-speed car chase or an alien attack seems unimaginable, simply slip on a pair of thick-rimmed 3-D glasses at a local movie theater and be prepared for a real experience.The steadily progressing three-dimensional projection technology brings hordes of moviegoers to the box office. Although 3-D technology was created 50 years ago, it has taken off and become a prominent attraction to children and movie buffs within the past year.Digital projectors make the increase possible and kick the bulky film reels to the curb. Corey Ikerd, manager at Rave Motion Pictures on Picardy Avenue and mass communication senior, said that the classic blue and red lens glasses are now obsolete and have been replaced with technology providing much greater clarity.”The projectors shoot two overlapping images, and the glasses bring the two together,” Ikerd said.Filming a 3-D movie is no easy task, according to Fox Guide, a Web site tracking entertainment and visual effects news. The 3-D movie cameras must act in a similar fashion to human eyes. According to FX Guide, eyes are positioned 64mm apart, the average human interoccular distance, with one eye located slightly higher than the other.In order to create a 3-D visual, cameras must in turn replicate this effect. Scenes must be filmed through two lenses that are 64mm apart. However, the closest two cameras can be put together is 125mm. Therefore, a complex camera rigging involving mirrors and 90 degree mounts is used.  Vince Pace, president of Pace 3-D Technologies, a 3-D technology company based in Burbank, Calif., created 20 rigs that perfected these requirements. One of the rigs was used in “The Final Destination” which released Friday. According to Wired Magazine, 3-D movie budgets are comparable to 2-D movies, but converting a 2-D movie into a 3-D movie is more expensive. Conversion cost are $50,000 to $100,000 per minute. Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and all six Star Wars movies will be converted to 3-D.      Not only does the advancement in technology affect the appearance of the film, it also unlocks a new world of what can be viewed at movie theaters. The 3-D technology is still extremely expensive, which limits some theaters from providing the 3-D viewing option for the duration of the movie’s time at theaters, Irkerd said.The Rave currently has only two projectors with 3-D capabilities, but managers said they would like to have them in all of the theaters.Higher ticket prices come with the more expensive technology. A 2-D movie ticket at the Rave costs $9, while a 3-D movie ticket costs $11.  “People never turn away from 3-D movies because of the price,” Ikerd said. “The price is worth it.”3-D movies first took off in the ‘50s. Patricia Suchy, film history professor, said Hollywood attempted to lure people back to movie cinemas after the advent of the TV. Theaters even used tinglers, slight electric bolts and perfumes to engulf viewers into a movie and provide what a TV could not, she said.  “With television technology advancing everyday, the movies continue to have television competition,” Suchy said. “It’s the same cycle. I can make my own digital video, but not in 3-D… yet.” In 2008, the popularity of 3-D movies increased with the first live action 3-D film “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Before its release, all 3-D films were animated, Ikerd said.In January, 3-D movies became more widely available for viewing. Before 2009, one 3-D movie would screen in theaters every few months. Now, at least one 3-D movie is available at any given time, Ikerd said.Jeffrey Katzenberg, head of DreamsWorks Animation, and the heads of Disney movie productions ordered all DreamWorks and Disney animated movies to be shot using the 3-D process. Katzenberg predicts eventually all movies will be shot in 3-D.Joey Watson, doctoral student, said different movie productions use 3-D effects in different manners. Pixar enhances the environment by making the film more life-like. Movies like “My Bloody Valentine” used 3-D effects to jump out at the audience, Watson said. Not only are movies available in 3-D, but select concerts and football games are as well. In February, Disney released The Jonas Brothers’ concert film in 3-D. In 2008, the BCS National Championship Game became available in 3-D. “3-D movies provide an incredible sensorial experience,” said John Bray, theater professor. “The action engulfs you whether you like it or not. It’s true escapism. It takes you away and brings you to a world better than a rollercoaster.”Despite the great advancements in 3-D technology, not everyone is impressed.”I really just think it’s more of a gimmick,” said Chandler Emery, engineering freshman. “Occasionally, one or two things might pop out of the screen so you don’t feel completely [ripped off]. Plus, it still hurts my eyes.”Ashley Lewis, education sophomore, saw The Final Destination in 3-D.”The movie was just like the other final destination movies, so I lost interest in it really fast,” Lewis said. “The 3-D graphics, on the other hand, were awesome. If it weren’t for the graphics, I probably would have left the movie.”—-Contact Lindsay Nunez at [email protected]