If it did, you are not alone.
According to a report by The Week, the advanced filming techniques used in the making of the movie are among several factors that could be responsible for migraines experienced by several members of the audience at advance screenings of the movie.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the latest film adaptation of a novel by J. R. R. Tolkien, and follows on from the success of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in which specialised filming techniques were used to create a believable Middle Earth where hobbits appeared considerably smaller than other characters, even when side-by-side in action scenes. In this latest film, high-speed cinematography was used to enhance detail and movement when the movie is shown in 3D on the big screen, but the resulting footage can cause eye strain and lead to nausea and migraines, according to the report.
Other possible migraine triggers that may be encountered in the cinema include lights and sounds, not eating enough or eating the wrong kinds of foods, becoming dehydrated, and being seated for a long time.
To avoid a migraine at the cinema, the advice from Migraine Action is to take regular breaks from looking at the screen and to move your head and shoulders regularly during the film, as well as drinking water throughout and eating a snack such as a cereal bar before or during the film to stabilise your blood glucose levels, particularly if you are seeing a very long film.
However, if you know that lighting and filming techniques used in the cinema are likely to trigger your migraines, the best option for preventing an attack is to avoid them.
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