'Avatar' creator: Shooting in 3-D beats conversion

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The creator of 3-D epic "Avatar" says studios that rework movies filmed conventionally into 3-D,rather than shooting originally in the format, risk hurting their business.

James Cameron told a media conference in Abu Dhabi Tuesday that Hollywood is undergoing a shift from conventional films to 3-D that is similar to the transition from the first color films to a world of all color movies.

He cautioned that studios that try to hedge their bets by adding 3-D effects only in post-production, once they decide the film is worth the investment "are harming themselves in that cautious approach."

He recommends the more expensive process upfront of shooting in 3-D directly, because customers are willing to pay more for it.