As marketing firms continue to discover new and inventive ways to use 3D technology in their campaigns, one area that has garnered notable attention within the past year is 3D projection mapping. Like something out of a wild Disney ride, buildings can now appear completely transformed thanks to the use of high-tech 3D projectors. It is a sight to behold, and I believe it may offer a new way for films to be marketed that might draw a lot of attention. Hit the jump to learn more.
Mashable posted an article that briefly describes 3D projection mapping and its potential in the future, but also included a series of videos from around the world that showcases the technology at work. I personally found the footage, despite the less than stellar YouTube transfer, to be quite breathtaking. The questions going forward with this technology though are twofold: does the cost to put on one of these productions outweigh the potential attention it may receive? And as Matt Smith of The Viral Factory suggests, if the goal is to create word of mouth following the event, is a medium like YouTube effective enough to convey the size and scope of the production? Is 3D projection mapping something that must be seen to truly be believed?
Regardless, I cannot overlook the possibilities that 3D projection mapping might provide some of our favorite film properties. How cool would it be to see a 3D Spiderman crawling up New York skyscrapers to hype next summer’s The Amazing Spiderman? Could you imagine an Inception-style projection where buildings are turned onto their side, just like in the movie? Such an initiative could really catch audiences’ attentions and provide great viral opportunities online.
Time will tell if 3D projection mapping really takes off, or if it just becomes a niche marketing gimmick. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.