August 1, 2010
The Big PictureDesigning the 21st Century MultiplexBy In the past the goal of exhibitors was efficient turnover. They wanted to get patrons in the front door, sell them concessions in the lobby, move them into the theatre and when the movie ended funnel them out as quickly as possible to expedite more screenings per day. Today, in part thanks to digital cinema technology, movie theatres are evolving into community centers. As a result, the modern multiplex is undergoing wholesale change and a critical element of that is the size and shape of the buildings themselves. I recently contacted architects and designers from around the world and asked them to participate in an online Q&A discussion about movie theatre design. Read More >>>Feature StoriesExhibition
Welcome to Splitsville
As the digital cinema era continues to evolve, exhibitors around the world are trying innovative new approaches to encourage patrons to come to the movies and then, ideally, stay awhile. One such idea combines several of the favorite past times of people of all ages: dinner, a movie and bowling. Muvico Village 12, a licensed initiative through Paragon Entertainment, features 12 movie auditoriums in combination with Splitsville Bowling to create a combination entertainment venue under one roof. In Production
Making the Wildest Dream
The seeds for The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest were planted long before director Anthony Geffen began filming Conrad Anker’s treacherous, history-making ascent of the world’s tallest mountain. Geffen says British explorer George Mallory loomed large in his boyhood imagination and his fascination with the adventurer was rekindled after Geffen moved to Los Angeles as a young man and worked under legendary movie mogul and accomplished mountaineer Frank Wells. Coming Soon
America’s First Digital Drive-InFor almost six decades the Spud Drive-In has been one of the most popular local attractions in Driggs, Idaho. Now it can lay claim to being the first true digital drive-in in America. Complete story in our next edition |
News Stories
International 3D Society to Present Harold Lloyd Award
Nominations Open for Second Annual Catalyst Award
Lionsgate and XStreamHD Enter Long-Term Distribution Agreement
XStreamHD has entered into a long-term electronic sell-thru and video-on-demand home entertainment distribution agreement with Lionsgate. The agreement will enable XStreamHD to offer its customers the ability to digitally purchase or rent, the latest HD releases from Lionsgate, as well as provide access to Lionsgate's content library of over 12,000 titles.
Imax Makes Investment in Laser Light Engines
Imax has signed a memorandum of understanding with Laser Light Engines, a leading developer and manufacturer of ultra-high brightness, laser-driven light sources. Under the terms of the agreement, Imax plans to make an equity investment in Laser Light Engines, and Laser Light Engines would develop a custom version of its laser light technology for exclusive use in Imax digital projection systems as well as provide additional outsourced research and development for new features that will further enhance and distinguish The Imax Experience for Imax theatre operators, film studios and moviegoers.
NEC Projectors Get Full DCI-Compliance Certification
NEC has announced that its entire line of digital cinema projectors is the first in the industry to reach full Digital Cinema Initiatives compliance. The new projectors include the NC1200C at 9,000 lumens of brightness for screen sizes of up to 46-feet wide, the NC2000C at 17,000 lumens for screens up to 65-feet wide and the ultra-bright NC3200S at 31,000 lumens for screens up to 105-feet wide.
Reinventing Cinema now Available from Smashwords
Shows / Conferences |
The International 3D Society will present the first Harold Lloyd Award at a ceremony in October. Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of stereoscopic 3D pioneer, actor and director Harold Lloyd, will make the presentation. The award recognizes visionary individuals whose contributions have advanced the art and technologies of stereoscopic 3D.
Nominations are now open for the second annual Catalyst Award to be presented during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, which will take place March 28-31, 2011 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. As the motion picture exhibition industry moves further into the second decade of adopting digital technology, Digital Cinema Report created the Catalyst Award to honor the independent exhibitor who best demonstrates the full capability, flexibility and promise of digital cinema. Anyone in the industry is eligible to make a nomination.
Reinventing Cinema: The First Decade of Digital Cinema by Nick Dager is now available at Smashwords. In May 1999 Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace opened with digital screenings in a handful of movie theatres in and around New York and Los Angeles: digital cinema’s first decade was underway. Those screenings generated widespread visibility and publicity and developments began to occur on a more regular basis. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers began work on standards for digital cinema in 2001. The Digital Cinema Initiatives formed in March 2002 as a joint effort by Disney, Fox, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. The serious technical groundwork was being laid and the digital cinema era began.