HOME TRAILERS 2013 SCHEDULE PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS SHORT FILMS NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

THE HOBBIT NEWS

Movie Tickets to Watch 'The Hobbit' in 48FPS Will Not Cost Extra

by Alex Billington
August 22, 2012
Source: Variety

Briefly: The era of high frame rates (HFR) is nearly upon us. Setting a precedent, movie theaters will not be charging more for 48FPS HFR showings of The Hobbit. Variety reports that "exhibitors have agreed not to charge more" for HFR, which is a huge sigh of relief. We're already charged a premium for 3D (and IMAX), thankfully they're not going to pile on more. "But with 3D already costing on average $3-$5 more than a 2D ticket, [Warner Bros] did not advocate for a higher ticket price, and [theaters] agreed." Though they remind us, while they won't be charging more for Hobbit now, "someday, they might." It was revealed a few weeks ago that The Hobbit shown at 48FPS will be getting a limited release in December. Stay tuned for updates.

Filed under Discuss, Hobbit, Movie News

From around the web:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1593169740 Chris Amaya

YAY!.....YAY?.....yay......
Zanpher

Gross Alaska lied before with 3D. They promised not to charge more on 2D movies to help pay for the 3D movie ... but they did (aholes). I bet you anything those kids will do the same for "HFR".
- Akirakorn
  
  I'm sure they've already hiked up the ticket prices all around to make up their projected earnings... I mean losses.
Anthony

Okay, this may sound stupid, but I'm confused. Both versions have the same amount of total frames, right? So does that mean that the version played at 48fps will be shorter than the 24fps?
- Zanpher
  
  If the length of the movie is the same, then there is double the amount of frames in the HFR version.
- http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves
  
  The Hobbit was shot at 48 Frames Per Second. Meaning for every second of footage, the image goes through 48 different frames. When shown at 24 FPS, every other frame is removed...resulting in a traditional 24 FPS look.
John Jones

They should have charged em suckas like me 5 bucks extra for this crap, sceew this anyway I was gonna see it in the other format but it's for free. I would have rather saw it if I was going to pay the extra money like how I pay for 3D and IMAX movies. I don't like going to free stuff your supposed to pay for its just not right.
- John
  
  What?
Akirakorn

Oh no they won't charge extra, it will just be only available in 48FPS 3D or 48FPS IMAX. I'm sure they'll find a way. One Ticket Price to rule them all, One Ticket Price to fine them, One Ticket Price to bring them all and in the darkness rob them
David Banner

Ticket prices have already jumped 10% in Norway, out of the blue....
SV7

Charging extra for a film that looks worse? I should think not! Just kidding of course. I haven't seen the footage myself. But I'm not fan of high refresh rate TVs. They make movies look like they were shot on video. I have a lot of faith in Peter Jackson's decision making, but he can get things wrong just like the next guy. My judgement is reserved...
- http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves
  
  I believe there is a difference between actually filming at HFR and TVs being made to artificially increase the FR of something that was shot at a lower FR. It's going to look different one way or another, and it will take some getting used to. I mean, 3D wasn't like a jump from Black and White to color as some tried to say. 3D had been attempted before. Frame Rate changes are the real deal. This WILL be like going from Black and White to color. Meaning it's very different and plenty of people will fight against it.
http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves

That makes plenty of sense. I remember for 3D, not only did loads of theaters have to upgrade from film projection to Digital, but they had to then go from Digital to 3D projection. In the case of RealD, the #1 3D provider, they not only had to pay for a new Silver screen, but they have to pay for new sets of glasses and a monthly licensing fee to RealD. I'm not sure how all of these costs were divided between studios and theater owners(I believe they were divided to some extent) but basically it was a necessity to have a premium on ticket prices. But to upgrade a regular Digital projector to High Frame Rates, the cost I believe is only a one time software upgrade of like 10 thousand(unless the theater had an early generation Digital projector) and when you look at box office data and figure out on average how much money a given theater probably made that weekend....10 grand is utter chump change. Throw in that most HFR showings early off will be for 3D movies, and they are getting a premium on the ticket anyway.
LosZombies

Man HUGE sigh of relief... But still, SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!
beevis

2D with no HFR for me. if i can't go to a theatre and watch a movie in 2D, i'll wait for the rental.
DAVIDPD

Good.
rennmaxbeta

They'll just charge more for the popcorn and soda.
PhantomPower

You appear to be misinformed. Empire Theatres in Canada is charging an extra $2, on top of the usual 3D. As much as $16.99.