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Topic: 300 to be next DMR

Mike Schindler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1039
From: Oak Park, IL, USA
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 02-22-2007 01:39 PM

I saw this in Imax last night. I can't say I've ever been bothered with the size of Imax during a DMR movie, and 300 is no exception. There's not much in the way of quick cuts, and I can't recall a single hand-held shot in the entire movie. As for the DMR process, they keep getting better and better. Still a little bit of digital mushiness and edge enhancement, but way better than anything you're gonna get in 35mm.

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 02-22-2007 01:43 PM

I have seen at least one "DMR" feature that looked CRAPPY at a properly set-up IMAX theater: Superman Returns.

That movie simply did not have the native resolution that is required of such a big screen. I think that lack of detail also worked to undermine the quality of the faux-3D sequences. Edges on objects closer in the foreground were blurry and not well defined. On top of that, the editing pace was too fast for the big screen (especially the spastic fast-forward speed 3D renderings in the opening titles -rendered at a resolution even too low for 2K D-Cinema purposes, hence all the pixellation on the title lettering).

Even for movies shot on film, such as The Matrix: Reloaded not enough native detail was there for 15/70 use. Compromises wound up being made to the imagery. Something akin to a low-pass filter was used in many scenes to artificially sharpen imagery. But that filter use wound up collapsing color bandwidth in the shadows and made some images look as though they had taken a run or two through a photo-copier. Not good.

If this whole IMAX DMR thing is going to get continually more use, movie studios must seriously consider 4K digital intermediates and 4K CGI standards at the bare minimum. Shooting live action on 65mm or VistaVision 8/35 and rendering CGI at higher levels like 6K and 8K would do a LOT better for giant screen presentation.

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Cameron Glendinning
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 845
From: West Ryde, Sydney, NSW Australia
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 02-23-2007 06:55 PM

quote: Joseph L. Kleiman
Matting lowere on the frame allows for a more natural viewing field on dome screens. My guess is they're not anticipating this to show on any domes.

umm also on normal Imax screens. what a horrible idea, one thing about imax and even just stadium seating is that one does not have to look up!

Imax corp camera rentals

quote:
What special framing considerations do I need to consider when filming in 15/70?

Since the IMAX frame is 10 times larger than a standard 35mm frame you must ensure that everything in frame is as pristine and authentic as possible. The smallest details on a poorly dressed set become very apparent on the large screen. The sweet spot of the frame is in the bottom 1/3, framing for the center or above the center will cause the audience to constantly look up thus giving them a stiff neck.

When framing with the 30mm lens it is important to stay away from subjects with strong vertical lines such as tall buildings and trees as they will distort in the shape of a banana. The IMAX camera viewfinder reticle has guideline markings to assist in framing IMAX and IMAX Dome with minimum and maximum cut-offs as well as an optical centre and horizon lines.

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Mark Strube
Master Film Handler

Posts: 322
From: Milwaukee, WI, United States
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 02-27-2007 04:31 PM

Five friends and I are going to see this at the Star Cinemas IMAX in Madison, WI on Saturday March 10th. I've only seen a few IMAX films in my life, and I'm not yet a projectionist, but I do have quite a critical eye when it comes to picture quality... so I'll be sure to add my two cents when I get back from it. [Smile]

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John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 02-27-2007 09:06 PM

quote: Dan Suomi
Where you getting blurry from? I have yet to see a DMR that is blurry. Maybe it's poor presentation at the theater you seen DMR at.

The IMAX DMR process can deliver excellent quality, but compared to well done 65mm 15-perf format origination, some would argue it is "blurry". When it comes to origination formats, size DOES matter.

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Michael Coate
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1904
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 02-28-2007 12:07 AM

quote: Dan Suomi
I heardthat only 40 prints are being made, so not everyone is able to get one. Has anyone else heard this?

quote: Tim Rectanus
I heard there was going to be a limited number of prints, as well, although I don't recall ever hearing a number.

I'm aware of 43 U.S. and Canadian IMAX bookings of "300" as of Feb. 26.

[EDIT: List revised 3/1 to reflect new information.]
[EDIT: Post edited 3/9 to add link to article]
The IMAX DMR Engagements Of "300"

UNITED STATES (Released March 9, 2007)

ARIZONA
Phoenix: AMC Loews Deer Valley 30 IMAX

CALIFORNIA
Dublin: Regal Hacienda Crossings Stadium 20 & IMAX
Fresno: Regal Edwards Fresno Stadium 21 & IMAX
Irvine: Regal Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 & IMAX
Los Angeles (Westchester): National Amusements The Bridge: Cinema de Lux IMAX
Ontario: Regal Edwards Ontario Palace Stadium 22 & IMAX
Sacramento: Esquire IMAX
San Francisco: AMC Loews Metreon IMAX
Universal City: AMC Loews Universal Citywalk IMAX

COLORADO
Colorado Springs: Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Carefree Circle
Denver: Regal UA Colorado Center 9 & IMAX

CONNECTICUT
Manchester: National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills IMAX

FLORIDA
Tampa: Regal Channelside Cinemas & IMAX

GEORGIA
Buford: Regal Mall of Georgia Stadium 20 & IMAX

IDAHO
Boise: Regal Edwards Boise Stadium 21 & IMAX

ILLINOIS
Batavia: Goodrich Randall 15 IMAX
Chicago: Navy Pier IMAX
Lincolnshire: Regal Lincolnshire Stadium 20 & IMAX
Woodridge: Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Seven Bridges

INDIANA
Evansville: Showplace Cinemas East 18 IMAX
Portage: Goodrich Portage 16 IMAX

KANSAS
Olathe: AMC Loews Studio 30 IMAX

KENTUCKY
Louisville: National Amusements Cinema de Lux 20: Stonybrook IMAX

LOUISIANA
Covington: O’Neil Holiday Square Cinema 12 & IMAX

MASSACHUSETTS
Natick: Comcast IMAX Theater at Jordan’s Furniture
Reading: Comcast IMAX Theater at Jordan’s Furniture

MICHIGAN
Grand Rapids: Loeks Celebration! IMAX Grand Rapids North
Lansing: Loeks Celebration! IMAX Lansing
Sterling Heights: AMC Loews Forum 30 IMAX
Ypsilanti: National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Ann Arbor IMAX

MINNESOTA
Apple Valley: Great Clips IMAX Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo
St. Michael: CineMagic Metropolitan IMAX

MISSOURI
Sappington: Wehrenberg Ronnies 20 Cine IMAX

NEVADA
Las Vegas: Brendan Theatres and IMAX at the Palms

NEW YORK
Gates: Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Tinseltown USA
New Rochelle: Regal New Roc City 18 & IMAX
New York (Manhattan): AMC Loews Lincoln Square IMAX
West Nyack: IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center
White Plains: National Amusements City Center 15: Cinema de Lux IMAX
Williamsville: Regal Transit Center Stadium 18 & IMAX

OHIO
Columbus: AMC Loews Easton Town Centre 30 IMAX
Springdale: National Amusements Springdale 18: Cinema de Lux IMAX

OKLAHOMA
Tulsa: Cinemark IMAX Theatre at The Tulsa

PENNSYLVANIA
King of Prussia: Regal UA King of Prussia Stadium 16 & IMAX
Tarentum: Cinemark IMAX Theatre at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills

TENNESSEE
Nashville: Regal Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX

TEXAS
Colleyville: Metro Cinema IMAX + Indigo Grille
Dallas: Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Cinemark 17
Houston: Regal Edwards Marq*E Stadium 23 & IMAX
San Antonio: Santikos Palladium 19 IMAX

UTAH
Sandy: Megaplex 17 IMAX at Jordan Commons

WISCONSIN
Fitchburg: Star Cinemas IMAX

CANADA (Released March 9, 2007)

ALBERTA
Calgary: Cineplex Paramount Chinook IMAX
Edmonton: Cineplex SilverCity West Edmonton Mall IMAX

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Langley: Cineplex Colossus Langley IMAX
Richmond: Cineplex SilverCity Riverport IMAX

NOVA SCOTIA
Halifax: Empire IMAX

ONTARIO
Mississauga: Cineplex Coliseum Mississauga IMAX
Ottawa: Cineplex SilverCity Gloucester IMAX
Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Vaughan: Cineplex Colossus Woodbridge IMAX

QUEBEC
Montreal: Cineplex Paramount Montreal IMAX
[/QUOTE]

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Mark Lensenmayer
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted 03-01-2007 09:07 PM

AMC website on 3/1 seems to indicate that Columbus and Kansas City have added 300 on 3/9.

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Michael Coate
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1904
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03-01-2007 11:01 PM

And the AMC in the Detroit area, as well as some venues in the Cinemark and National Amusements circuits. There have also been a few new IMAX venues built/retrofit in the past few months who have booked "300."

Up to 61 bookings as of 3/1. List posted above has been updated.

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Paul Gordon
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 580
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 03-05-2007 11:00 AM

Also the new Imax screen at Silver City Gloucester in Ottawa, Canada will be playing 300. They have a 12:01am show on Thursday March 8th.

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Michael Coate
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1904
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03-05-2007 07:38 PM

Paul:
Did you not notice that Gloucester is on the list I posted last week? [Mad]

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Michael Coate
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1904
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03-06-2007 12:43 AM

For anyone not convinced "300" originated on film...

GRAPHIC LEAPS: DIRECTOR ZACK SNYDER MIXES TRICKS TO CREATE A COMIC-BOOK GRANDEUR FOR "300" ON THE SCREEN by Sheigh Crabtree; Los Angeles Times; Mar. 4, 2007.

quote:

A few of the key ingredients in Snyder's secret cinematic sauce: thousands of hours of visual tests, shooting on film and shooting everything lighted as if it were golden hour, overcast or under shimmery moonlight.

Although high-definition video has become a de rigueur medium for bluescreen shoots — for one thing, film has to laboriously be scanned into the digital realm — [Director of Photography Larry] Fong shot film because Snyder relies heavily on variable speed lensing, which new digital cinematography cameras aren't so good at yet.

"I'm glad we didn't shoot in HD," Fong said. "When you think period, you think film, which is funny because in ancient Greece there was no film. But for us, the cinematic experience was informed by film artifacts. We wanted the film grain to show."

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Paul Gordon
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 580
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 03-06-2007 06:56 AM

Sorry about that... I didn't notice Ottawa on the list so I skipped by Gloucester(which is part of Ottawa!)Its not really a true Imax screen though they just converted a 35mm theatre by putting in a Imax projector... I'll have to see what it looks like, super short throw I'm sure...

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Mark Strube
Master Film Handler

Posts: 322
From: Milwaukee, WI, United States
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 03-08-2007 01:40 PM

I've always been curious about this... do they show your standard set of trailers before an IMAX DMR film? Are they also "upscaled" like the feature film, or will they appear small on the screen? Any ideas which trailers were shipped with the DMR version of 300? (From what I gather, they upscale it to 70mm, correct?) I suppose I'll find out on Saturday anyways, but I let my curiosity take over - I had to ask. [Smile]

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Mark Lensenmayer
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted 03-08-2007 05:42 PM

I've only seen trailers for 15/70 films on IMAX movies. Sure got sick of seeing YOUNG BLACK STALLION in the old days, and can't tell you how many times I saw the HAPPY FEET trailer recently.

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Bob Brown
Expert Film Handler

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

posted 03-08-2007 07:18 PM

There were no trailers shipped with 300, we just moved the Spiderman trailer from NATM to 300. Normally, the studios decide if they will create a IMAX trailer. I have been told, the cost to print a 1.5 - 2 minute 15/70 trailer is in the $1,500.00 range. I was hoping the Harry Potter would be shipped, but still waiting on that one. As far as showing a trailer pack in front of a DMR, that would be up to each individual theatre, depending on their trailer stock and what they wish to exhibit. There is no way you could show a conventual 35mm trailer unless you had a 35mm projector in the IMAX booth, or had a trailer DVD pack made up and used that with your video projector prior to the start of the feature. But I feel that is a terrible way to exhibit your IMAX screen. We only show one or two 15/70 trailers along with our company's signature tag. The IMAX branding trailer is now attached to all DMR prints, so there is one more for ya. Hope this answers your questions.

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