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Topic: Superman Returns

Brian Michael Weidemann
Expert cat molester

Posts: 944
From: Costa Mesa, CA United States
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-22-2006 11:35 AM

I think the noticeable change in light density would be masked quite easily by the audience putting their glasses on. That's enough of a momentary distraction. And if the automatic polarizer does it smoothly enough, I think it would be an effective switch.

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Bob Brown
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 146
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 05-22-2006 12:04 PM

Hey Brian:

From what I have been told from my Tech, the mechanical polorizer lifter will be mounted on the hood of the SR projectors and I am not sure where on the GT as I don't run one of those systems. They are using the same air driven piston that is now installed for the field flatters and will be controlled from the DTAC. DKP will be forwarding the exact time code numbers to load into the DTAC as an "event" in the events menu. Lets just hope that the numbers are correct. BTW, all my tech has seen is a picture of the contraption,I am scheduled for install at the end of the month. so this should be fun. Since this build will reach up to 100 reels of film, I wonder how much time, WB and IMAX will give us on this one???? [Roll Eyes]

What are your plans on the glasses issue? Are you going with the lanyards that IMAX is suggesting? We are still trying to figure out a good alternative.

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Brian Michael Weidemann
Expert cat molester

Posts: 944
From: Costa Mesa, CA United States
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-22-2006 08:58 PM

I'm not sure what you mean by lanyards. I haven't heard anything about that. But we are changing glasses from the ones we've been issuing for the past several 3D films. Instead of the disposable paper crappies, we're using multicolored plastic frame (in yellow, black, and red!), 45 degree polarized glasses starting with Superman.

Although I think a mechanical polarizer lifter would be cool, lined into the air system and triggered with a DTAC event, that hardly seems like a necessary upgrade. I mean, HOW MANY MOVIES are we going to be playing that will require a SWITCH from 2D to 3D and back mid-show?

For our GT system, where operators have access to the hood and front area of the projector while running (as opposed to, say, IMAX Dome theatres where the projector is transported to inaccessable Show Positions), it seems a simple, non-mechanical, sliding mount would be sufficient, manually operated at a point in the movie. We operate the lighting cues manually, in synch with the presentation. I would think a manual switch at, say, 02:16:54.23 would be easy enough. As operators, we're present with the projector at all times, right? Put us to work! [Wink]

If this film is as long as Harry Potter & The GOF (which it really can't be longer than!), then that's 46 reels times two. And, by my calculations, 92 reels will take me (at my most time-efficient rate) between 18-20 hours assembly time alone. That's three overnight shifts, a fourth one to screen it, most likely. Poseidon's original delivery schedule from DKP was the DAY before our first public screenings (and luckily, we actually received the print two days before then!). I'd love to get the print a week before opening (which will undoubtedly be something like a 9:00pm and midnight show, that Thursday), but we'll see when DKP has 'em ready to go.

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Dick Vaughan
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1032
From: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 05-23-2006 02:27 AM

quote: Brian Michael Weidemann
I haven't been told any more specifics than this, but my guess is that the thing will slide polarized glass into and out of the mount "automatically" at the "manual" flick of a switch. Anyone know if it's any more complicated a mechanism than that?

Brian

It's quite a few years since I was in your theatre but I think I am right in saying that you have a port mounted polariser as opposed to the later hood mounted model.

In that case you will have a system that slides the polariser mount across using a pneumatic actuator.

The hood mounted polariser systems will have a rotating system to put the polariser across the 2D/3D eye, the black/3D eye polariser can remain in place all through the show.

Bizarrely ,as my base theatre is SR, I haven't seen the mod for that system but is probably similar to the hood mounted GT.

I know that there is also a power pack mod for some of the QTRU's but IIRC you had/have MkII's so not sure what happens with them.

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Brian Michael Weidemann
Expert cat molester

Posts: 944
From: Costa Mesa, CA United States
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-23-2006 03:30 AM

You're correct that we originally had the port-mounted polarizer. However, when the IMAX's were pulled from Edwards in 2001, our location had an 8/70 machine put in its place ... and the port glass was replaced with a 5' by 4' window, which remained when the IMAX was re-installed in 2003, and which we still have. Our polarizer is mounted to the hood.

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Dick Vaughan
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1032
From: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 05-23-2006 08:14 AM

Ah! I'd forgotten about the in and out IMAX story at your theatre. [Embarrassed]

Put it down to old age. I must come back and visit next March/April after the GSCA conference

In that case you get the swinging polariser update. I am still waiting to see how the air lines are routed from the skinner valve to the actuator [Confused]

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Brian Michael Weidemann
Expert cat molester

Posts: 944
From: Costa Mesa, CA United States
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-28-2006 03:03 AM

We got in some information in the last few days:

It turns out that four different segments of the feature will be in 3D, and the segments TOTAL about 20 minutes. This means that a little green glasses icon will distract the audience four different times in 150 minutes, informing them to put on glasses. And five minutes after each of those times, a little red glasses icon will interrupt the 3D "experience" and glasses will have to be removed.

Information sheets with FAQ's were received with things for box staff to know and relay to customers, and things for a pre-show announcement to point out. They really want us to name drop Bryan Singer as the director, it seems.

At least we can have a handle on what the public will be paying for so we can tell them what to expect for their money.

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Paul Linfesty
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1383
From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-28-2006 09:20 PM

While I have seen some DMR IMAX films, the more I hear about this 3-D version, the less I'm being drawn into seeing it. Add that to the fact that SUPERMAN RETURNS was shot in HD, I'm figuring it won't look really good on this big a screen.

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Tim Rectanus
Film Handler

Posts: 51
From: Raleigh, NC, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 05-31-2006 05:07 PM

Hey, My first post. I will introduce myself soon but for now, be gentle, I bruise easily.

They moved the Superman release date to June 28th instead of the 30th. They also changed the Ant Bully 3D release to July 28th, a week earlier than the previously scheduled August 4th. That will be our first time having 2 DMR'd 3D movies to move on and off, should be fun, I guess you could call it fun.

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Mark Lensenmayer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1605
From: Upper Arlington, OH
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 06-01-2006 07:49 AM

Our good friend, Harry Knowles, has provided us with the complete text of the Imax Superman FAQ. This page also shows a poster with the film advertised in IMAX 3D. Going to be LOTS of confusion about how much of the film will be 3D.

Ain't Harry Cool?

quote:
I. Key Messages and Q&A Reference Sheet for Box Office / Hosting Staff Get ready to experience the next step in the evolution of the world's most immersive movie-going experience - the introduction of live-action Hollywood film content in IMAX 3D in Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience. This document will help you communicate infromation about the IMAX 3D version of Superman Returns to your customers so that their expectations are exceeded.

Fast Facts and Key Messages

-With Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D experience audiences will experience live-action Hollywood film content in IMAX 3D for the first time!

-Four special scenes have been selected by Bryan Singer the film's director to be shown in IMAX 3D

-Audience members will need to wear their 3D glasses for the four 3D scenes and for the movie preview trailers. (the glasses should be removed for the other portions of the movie.)

-There will be on-screen cues to direct the audience as to when they should put on and take off the glasses. The cues are:

-Green flashing glasses symbol - place glasses on

-Red flashing glasses symbol - take glasses off

Questions and Answers

Q: How much of Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D experience is shown in IMAX 3D?

A: 4 segments lasting approximately 20 minutes in total.

Q: How were the IMAX 3D scenes created?

A: These scenes were created from digitally enhanced 2D film images using patented IMAX technology. This process enables the conversion of almost any 2D film into IMAX 3D. The film's director, Bryan SInger, chose the scenes for you to see in 3D.

Q: Why were the glasses symbol chosen as the on-screen cue and not something else?

A: The Film's director selected this icon to allow for the least obtrusive cue possible and to maintain the integrity of the film.

Q: Why wasn't the whole film in 3D?

A: There wasn't enough time to convert the whole film given its production schedule. IMAX is working to improve the timing so it will be possible to fully convert entire films in the future.

Q: Which Hollywood films will be released in IMAX 3D next?

A: The next films to be released in IMAX theaters will all be full-length IMAX 3D animated features: The Ant Bully: An IMAX 3D Experience debuts on Aug 4th, Open Season: An IMAX 3D Experience debuts on Sept. 29th and Happy Feet: An IMAX 3D Experience debuts on Nov. 17th (or insert appropriate release dates for your theater.)

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Joseph L. Kleiman
Master Film Handler

Posts: 380
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 06-01-2006 08:19 AM

Any word on if the black film will include framelines?

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Bob Brown
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 146
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 06-01-2006 08:29 AM

As of yesterday, DKP has not finished the DMR'ing. They hope that this will be completed sometime next week. No information was offered on specific questions put to DKP about this film.

BTW Joseph, What happened to your web site? I logged on to it, and I get a parking space [uhoh]

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Joseph L. Kleiman
Master Film Handler

Posts: 380
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 06-01-2006 09:51 AM

Bob,

I parted with my business partners and started a new one at www.kinotechnologies.com.

Joe

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Mark J. Marshall
Film God

Posts: 3188
From: New Castle, DE, USA
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 06-14-2006 08:27 AM

Soooo... I'm curious. Which eye will be the primary print?

And as for the other eye, will that be a complete full length print of all black film except for the 3D sequences? If so, that sucks.

Maybe in their efforts to "improve the timing so it will be possible to fully convert entire films in the future," IMAX can start by encouraging directors to SHOOT their movies in 3D in the first place. Then the timing problem would practically disappear.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-14-2006 08:36 AM

Over on 1570.com, it is reported that the left eye print will be all scenes, and the right eye print will be mostly black leader and the 3D segments, with the polarizer cues. Heath Poe posts it is on 90 reels with about 2 minutes of credits.

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