Big Picture

For years now people involved in exhibition have been gathering at various industry events expecting to hear that the Digital Cinema Implementation Partners finally have their funding and will finally begin to convert the three largest movie chains in the world to digital cinema. And for years, at every event, the word has been that the funding is just around the corner. Now comes ShoWest 2010, which is being held later this month in Las Vegas and the chances are good that the news from DCIP will again be some variation of just around the corner. Yet despite that, many people are ready to pronounce the digital rollout all but over. What am I missing?

There are independent exhibitors who are successfully making the transition to digital cinema. But all over the world there are hundreds, thousands more, who are not taking part. These are the people who own and operate businesses with five screens, two screens, one screen and they currently face significant roadblocks in making the move to digital. With the existing DCI specifications the current VPF models aren’t working and most small exhibitors will not survive.

If digital cinema is going to fulfill its promise of truly bringing about a new era of movie making and exhibition, then the independent theatres that are an important part of the cultural lifeblood of small towns around the world can not be left behind. Fortunately the independent spirit that has kept these theatres alive through many difficult times is still evident in many communities and there are signs that a significant number of them are taking part in the digital transition. Cinema Centers in the rural mountains of central Pennsylvania is a good example.