3-D Films: Are they worth it?

Where do 3-D movies fit in?

The idea of making movies in 3-D is a popular trend, But is it really that appealing to audiences?
It is no doubt a controversial issue and 3-D films have to find their niche in cinema.

James Cameron's Avatar, one of the most well received 3-D movies of 2009

Promotion outside West Center at Winthrop University

   Two students at Winthrop University were asked how they felt about 3-D movies and whether they had a future in film.

"It hurts my head" they answered in unison. Both students had trouble focusing on the film because of the headaches.

   Mary Comber, a psychology major at Winthrop said,

   "I remember seeing the preview for spy kids 3 on TV and it looked so exciting, and then when I went and saw it I was really disappointed ."

   Lauren Adams, a sophomore at Winthrop mentioned seeing Spongebob in 3-D at the theme park,  Carowinds.  Although she throughly enjoyed it, she felt that the 3-D didn't add much to the experience.

Dina's Place (the campus movie theater) at Winthrop University

Lauren enjoyed watching Transformers in 3-D and decided that action movies could benefit from the use of the 3-D format.

 Both students felt the headaches and bizarre effect of 3-D distracted the audience, and took away focus from the story.

"Plus", they added "It's not worth the extra money."

Basic News Leads

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1. Two firemen were hospitalized en route to emergency. They were responding to an emergency call when a van struck their vehicle on Post road. 

(Nut graph) The driver of the van, Charles Lyndon was killed in this tragic accident. The van was totally destroyed and there are over $50,000 in damages done to the truck. The fault of the accident and condition of the firemen is still unknown.

(Lead)

2. Report from Washington: Big cars save money and prevent injuries.

(Nut Graph) Analysis claims that large cars show 50% better claims than average. In contrast, small car are reported to have the worst injury and repair costs. 

(Lead)

3. Hot dogs can kill kids.

(Nut Graph) It is estimated that every five days someone in the US dies choking on a hot dog. The American Medical Association warns against the dangers of a hotdog blocking the windpipe, It can be especially dangerous for children.

(Lead)

4. The wrong body was buried at the Belcuore funeral last saturday.

The Belcuore family was devastated by sudden death last week. Over 7,000 dollars spent and 100 friends in attendance and still Kristine's body has not been put to rest.

A relative remarked "We went through the all the pain and everything, all over the wrong body, and now we have to go through it again."

Artsy, soccer playing, journalist

        It was a journey that started in a small retirement town in rural North Carolina. This venture would take a spirited girl on a life-changing trip across the world. The same thirst for life that led from a small college in South Carolina to the ranks of the Peace corp. would take Dakota Fitzgerald to the position of Award winning sports journalist in beautiful Barcelona, Spain. These were just hints of possible plans I gleaned from Dakota during our interview that brisk January afternoon. Her optimism and outgoing personality made me feel like the one being interviewed. 

     When you try to profile someone’s hobbies, likes and dislikes the results can often be a surprising combination, however, when you delve deeper into their past and personality a story unfolds, and this artsy, soccer playing, journalist, has a story unlike most.

Dakota Fitzgerald was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She moved to Greenville, South Carolina in the third grade. The love of music has been a consistent theme in Dakota’s life, It’s one of the things that gets her through life, she says. Her “no worries” outlook on life extends to her musical tastes. She enjoys anything from Bob Marley and the reggae-inspired group 311, to celtic music that brings out the roots of her heritage. 

Dakota has a unique relationship with the theater that draws from her desire for personal interpretation of stories. She emphasized that plays give you a personal touch that sometimes the silver screen just can’t deliver. Her fondness of theater ranges from comedy improvisation to large musical productions. One of her early experiences with journalism stemmed out of her attachment to theater. She noted, with some fondness that she had the opportunity to interview the set designer for the Broadway production of The Lion King. Growing up she developed an appreciation and talent for making art. Dakota’s journey, like her art took a life of its own soon after It got started.

Dakota developed a an fondness for the sport of soccer in her adolescence and played through high school. The enjoyment of the game forged a lasting love that would live to shape her future.

        Dakota started looking for a college with the mindset of playing for the school soccer team. After visiting and rejecting her more obvious choices, she discovered Winthrop University, and instantly liked the atmosphere the university exhibited.

       The story of this artsy, soccer playing, journalist will only get more exciting as she moves forward in life with optimism.

Dakota’s past and her desire for fresh and exciting experiences has led her to where she is today and maybe someday it will take her around the world.