According to many experts in Hollywood, 3D is the future of filmmaking. Although skeptics would argue that 3D is just a trend right now – a gimmick – the box office does not lie. 3D film sales far out-gross those of 2D, and the studios show no evidence of quitting making 3D films.

According to Keith Collea, a filmmaker and 3D expert, one reason 3D is so popular is because it creates "a dreamlike state in the viewer." As humans, we by nature view the world stereo-optically. As such, viewing a film in 3D is what a motion picture is actually supposed to look like, not 2D, as we are used to. We definitely dream in 3D.

Unlike the 2D film, 3D creates depth, making the viewer feel like the screen is a window into which we are looking. As a result, 3D brings us closer into the world of a movie. Catherine Cunningham, director, producer and CEO of Eikosphere, asserts, "The viewer actually retains 67% more of the film when we see it in 3D."

Nevertheless, shooting in 3D does pose bigger obstacles for filmmakers in terms of financing. When shooting and cutting 3D movies, filmmakers must also do so in a different way.

According to the experts, in order to make your 3D shoot optimal, one should not only shoot in 3D (that's what the DP and director are actually seeing!) but edit in 3D as well. Regardless of whether this can be headache-producing for some filmmakers, the fact remains that films are edited differently in 3D as "you don't need as many cuts," says Collea, "because the brain is filling in much of the information as our eyes look around at all the images."

Whereas 3D used to be only for action, animation or IMAX documentaries, Collea shares that in the future, "dramas and comedies will also be filmed in 3D."

Ultimately, the future of the movie-going experience won’t end at just 3D. Experts profess that theaters will soon include the same gimmicks as theaters in amusement parks do, where the viewing experience is heightened when dry ice is blown in on the audience or when audience members’ seats are rocked as a means to make one feel like they are actually experiencing the movie.

The US does not enjoy a leading role in the 3D revolution, however. Europeans already make use of 3D to shoot sports games. Britain is especially fond of this practice, and the British even have 3D home television like we in the States have HD.