By Charlie Laughtland
BDA blog editor

Forget those flimsy, paper 3D glasses with the blue and red lenses.

Today’s “cinema eyewear” offers the same style and comfort as a pair of sunglasses you’d find at retail. Even high-end brands like Oakley are entering the 3D market.

Why? For starters:

• Since the beginning of 2009, the number of screens in North America equipped to show 3D has gone up roughly six-fold, from under 2,000 to over 12,000.

• Filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola all have 3D projects in the works. So you can bet the technology will only get better.

As one of the few approved suppliers and licensees for RealD, a global leader in 3D technology for movie theaters, BDA is at the forefront of the 3D experience. More than 17,500 screens worldwide are RealD 3D-enabled.

BDA produces and distributes millions of pairs of 3D glasses each year. Through our licensing agreement, BDA can create custom RealD glasses for our clients’ promotions. Just think of all the possibilities for a superhero or adventure movie or animated children’s feature.

With RealD continuing to develop its patented technology for home theater and video game systems, the potential for growth is immense. Even more opportunities could pop up as mobile companies experiment with 3D video, photography and gaming for smartphones and tablets.

For now, we’ll see you at the movies.

[All claims or opinions made are those of the author and/or BDA.]