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James Cameron to amp up Avatar frame rate

Promises 'really stunning' sequels at 48 or 60 fps

James Cameron has said he's decided to up the frame rate on Avatar 2 and 3 to give the movies an "added sense of reality".

Speaking at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the director suggested that he'd crank up the movies from 24 fps to 48 or 60 fps. He explained: "When you author and project a movie at 48 or 60, it becomes a different movie. The 3D shows you a window into reality; the higher frame rate takes the glass out of the window. In fact, it is just reality. It is really stunning."

Cameron's production partner Jon Landau reckons the higher frame rate will make "a big difference to the audience experience - not just for 3D movies, but for all movies".

Landau said that it removes a strobing effect caused by a 3D "artefact". Furthermore, since the shutter is "closed for less time", the result is a brighter image. The Hollywood Reporter says this is "particularly noteworthy in 3D, as the glasses can reduce the amount of light that the viewer sees".

Landau noted that the higher frame rates are already available in digital cameras, "but they always utilize it for slow motion".

He added: "They will record something at 48 or 60 frames per second, but when they play it back at 24, they are doing slow motion. Now we want to do it, but play it back at those same rates."

Cameron was joined at CinemaCon by DreamWorks animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and George Lucas. The trio were "championing the digital 3D movie revolution", and the Hollywood Reporter has more on their plans to "wow moviegoers" right here. ®

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