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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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8

Studios Fight Theaters on Cost of 3-D Glasses

Shades can cost $10m for popular film

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(Newser) – With 50 3-D films due out within two years, studios and theaters are squabbling over who should pay for the requisite glasses. At $1 per moviegoer, 3-D glasses can tack on $10 million to production costs, the Chicago Tribune reports. Movie execs and theaters split a $2 to $3 ticket surcharge on those films, but neither wants to buy glasses with their share.

When Fox refused to foot the optics bill for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, out July 1, one theater company threatened to show it in 2-D. The studio gave in, but points out that theaters can reuse the glasses, so they should provide them. Theaters retort that they already pay thousands in fees and per-ticket royalties for the equipment needed to show 3-D films.

Studios and theaters have been fighting over who should pay for 3-D glasses.
Studios and theaters have been fighting over who should pay for 3-D glasses.   (Shutterstock)
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8 comments
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drlarrymitchell
Jun 22, 09 2:22 AM CDT
Greedy fucks. If the studios put out a 3-D movie, then it's their choice. It's the price of doing business. Reply
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+5
JonmarkP
Jun 22, 09 2:30 AM CDT
I feel strongly both ways. I just wish they'd go beyond 1D plots and character development. Yes, Hollywood, this means you. Reply
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+5
anchower
Jun 22, 09 2:54 AM CDT
Studios squeeze theaters enough as it is. Reply
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+4
Timinator2K
Jun 22, 09 7:42 AM CDT
AIn't it amazing what progress Hollywood has made with 3D movies?! Heck, back in the 1950's people were stuck having to wear these stupid-looking paper glasses with red and blue cellophane lenses...now, the stupid-looking glasses are all plastic! Progress crawls forward...very slightly in 50 years. Reply
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+2
psycada
Jun 22, 09 7:56 AM CDT
WTF. These damn things can't cost more than 10 cents a piece. The article claims $1 per person. This just further shows the utmost greed on both the studios and the theaters. You know who will end up paying for it in the end anyways, so it really doesn't matter. Another justification to add $2.50 to the ticket price. Fucking greedy pricks. Reply
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