December 15, 2009

The Big Picture

Digital Cinema’s First Decade

By Nick Dager

The case could be made that digital cinema has been around much longer than just the past ten years. For example, I wrote an article for Variety in 1990 about electronic cinema’s potential to transform the movie industry. The consensus at that time was that any serious implementation was a decade away. However, cut to May 1999. That was when Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace opened with a handful of digital screenings in movie theatres in and around New York and Los Angeles. Admittedly major developments were decidedly slow for many years after that, but that movie gave the idea of digital cinema serious momentum and the transformation had begun: digital cinema’s first decade was underway.

Feature Stories

Shooting 3D

Shooting Avatar

For Vince Pace, the CEO of his own eponymous production company, Avatar began with a six-page email from James Cameron describing the kinds of 3D shots the famously precise and demanding director was imagining for the film. Pace, who has worked with Cameron since The Abyss in 1989 was not surprised by such detailed instructions from the director. And he also knew that the technology needed to execute some of those shots simply didn’t exist.

Coming Soon

Mountaintop Shot

Pictorvision's new helicopter camera mount system helped DP Peter Menzies Jr. capture action scenes for Warner Bros. upcoming feature Clash of the Titans.

Complete story in our next edition

News Stories

PERA Council 2010 Election Results Announced

The Entertainment Services and Technology Association has announced the election results for the 2010 PERA Council. The PERA Council within ESTA serves the needs of the equipment rental market for motion picture, television and commercial production. The Council continues the work of PERA for camera, accessories, grip and lighting rental companies and manufacturers. Members of the Council are elected by the PERA Council Affiliates and are responsible for the development and implementation of programs and services for members in these market segments.

Avatar World Premiere held at London’s Empire Leicester Square Theatre

London’s Empire Leicester Square held the world premiere of the James Cameron movie Avatar on Thursday, December 10, using Dolby’s 3D system and Barco projector. An invited audience of more than 1,300 guests filled the Empire Leicester Square, which will act as the lead theatre for this much-anticipated premiere.

Deluxe Installs MasterImage 3D in its Post-Production Suite

MasterImage 3D has announced that Deluxe Digital Cinema, a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, has selected their 3D imaging solution, MI-2100, for use in their 3D post-production facility and screening room. The system will be used for quality control and final approval purposes during all phases of MasterImage 3D content production.

Hoyts Theatres Convert to Digital with HP Servers and Storage

Australian exhibitor Hoyts will convert its cinemas across the country to digital projection using server and storage infrastructure from HP and assisted by a HP business partner and networking integrator. Server specialist Daraco Services and networking specialist eintellego will supervise the installations.

Entries being accepted by Canada’s International Film Festival

The Canada International Film Festival is now accepting entries in all categories for the upcoming 2010 Festival. The festival accepts both domestic and international submissions.

Reliance, In-Three Partner on 2D-3D Conversion Facility in India

Reliance MediaWorks has partnered with In-Three to establish what the companies say will be the world’s largest facility dedicated to the conversion of 2D films and videos into 3D, based in India.

The Movie Palace Installs Christie Projectors in its Newest Multiplex

The Movie Palace theatre in Casper, Wyoming has selected Christie digital cinema projectors for its new all-digital Studio City Stadium 10, a 10-screen classic multiplex theatre. It is the second Movie Palace theatre in Casper to use Christie digital projectors. The company has also installed the Christie CP2000 series projectors in its other locations in Cheyenne and Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Latest Digital Releases

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