Michael Bay’s Letter to Fans & Projectionists

Michael Bay has made a lot of movie that I frown upon (to put it lightly). However, there is one thing about him that I respect, and that he really does have a passion for making movies (even if they’re bad). Even though he and James Cameron (or Jim as Michael Bay refers to him) are good friends, I don’t get the soulless vibe from Bay. He just knows how to make movies that will make money, but he also appreciates film as an art and he doesn’t seem calculated about it. He knows his fan base, teenage boys, and loves them.

That last sentence sounded wrong.

Anyway, realizing that about him, and appreciating his love of film, will never make me say that movies like Transformers 2 or Pearl Harbor are “good”.

Bay’s most recent installment in the Transformers series comes out this Wednesday and was conceived and shot in 3D, using the technology that James Cameron used in Avatar. In case you weren’t aware, there is a big difference between a movie that is “3D”, and a movie that is “conceived and shot” in 3D. The latter actually plans on and utilized 3D cameras and technology during the filming, while the former just adds it afterwards in what is called “post-conversion” 3D and looks more like a diorama than having the depth and scope of a film like Avatar. While I am normally against going to see 3D movies because most of them are “post-conversion” and a waste of money, I will probably see Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3D to see what all the rage is about.

Michael Bay has even gone so fars as to write two letters, one to fans and one to projectionists, explaining how to have the optimal 3D experience for his film. Here is the one from fans (courtesy of Michael Bay’s blog):

THANK YOU NOTE FROM MICHAEL BAY (6/26/11):

I just want to take the opportunity to thank all the fans around the world for letting me have fun with the Transformers franchise. It has been a wonderful opportunity to have worked with about 4000 crew members around the world. These artists are some of the very best in the entire film business. I’m honored to have had you work along side me. We had an amazing time.

‘Dark of the Moon’ has some of the most technically challenging sequences ever shot. And shot in 3D. I must urge you to find the very best theatre and see this movie in that format. 3D was a forethought, not an afterthought in this movie. I’m glad Jim Cameron and Steven Spielberg really convinced me to shoot in this new technology. We used and invented many new techniques to make the 3D sharper, brighter and more color contrast. I think theatre owners heard their audience that they need to respect the specs of the projectors and not dim the bulbs to save money.

Many theaters are presenting it in the brand new 7.1 sound, which is awesome. This is the most complex, intricate sound track that me and my Academy Awarding winning sound team have done. They really out did themselves to make this a big picture experience. Hopefully you will have as much fun watching this movie as we all had making it.

Thanks,

Michael Bay

This could read one of two ways.

1) He truly cares about his fans’ movie experience.

Or 2)

Go see it in 3D so I can make it rain! Booyah!

 My inclination is to believe that he has more respect for his fans than to try coerce more money out of them, he already has enough, but then again he is friends with the Devil (James Cameron).

Here is his letter to projectionists (courtesy of Deadline.com):

While he may come off as demanding and kind of cold, I kind of appreciate his efforts to bring his viewers the best possible experience, even I don’t exactly enjoy those movies. However, projectionists are coming out from their enclosed doors and into the sunlight to tell people that many studios do this anyway, and it really isn’t that special. What do you all think of Bay’s efforts? Are they out of genuine love for his fanbase? Will you see Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3D?