Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Digital Projection in a Drive-In Theatre

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Digital Cinema Forum » Digital Projection in a Drive-In Theatre (Page 3)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Author

Topic: Digital Projection in a Drive-In Theatre

Michael Barry
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 584
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 03-30-2001 02:36 AM

70MM projection is such an excellent solution for drive-ins and larger screens in general that I'm surprised that anyone would have contemplated using 35MM at a drive-in to begin with.

Perhaps the solution for this chicken-and-egg problem would be for the studios/distributors to get the ball rolling by striking several 70MM DTS prints of certain major releases (read: Pearl Harbor) in much the same way that a certain number of 16MM prints are also struck for many releases. These could be offered to drive-ins and major locations. More 70MM prints could be struck for any theatre if requisitioned - this would have to happen well in advance, of course, but with a release like Pearl Harbor there is plenty of lead time anyway. Perhaps some financial model might arise to help offset the extra cost, but as John said, if it became popular and hundreds were required, then the cost is more negotiable. With a distribution/exhibition infrastructure in place, filmmakers may be encouraged to consider 70MM as an option.

I find the 'we want to save money' excuse of the filmmaking/distribution sector a little hard to swallow. Kenneth Branaugh made 'Hamlet' - 4 hours long in 70MM - with a budget of $US18 million! Whatever filmmakers are buying for their $US100M budgets, it isn't film stock or lab costs. (Can anyone honestly tell me that if Episode Two was filmed in 70MM that the budget would have blown out? That it wouldn't look better? Yet 'saving money' is the excuse given...)

The same applies to marketing/distribution. A fortune is spent on all kinds of things as well as release prints. Spend a little more on film - the difference would me minimal or dare I suggest non-existent in the overall scheme of things - and then theatres can offer an experience that no other environment possibly can, thereby making the films themselves more profitable.

If they want to bring more people into theatres, 70MM can do it, because it offers an experience that can't be obtained at home. Digital projection, which is 'not quite' 35MM, is lowering the bar for theatrical presentation quality and this will only encourage people to stay at home.

| IP: Logged

David Kilderry
Master Film Handler

Posts: 355
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 04-01-2001 07:34 AM

At a recent test of a Barco DLP machine on an indoor screen, it required a 7,000 watt xenon to provide the same 16fl of light that the 3,000 watt xenon in the 35mm Vic 5.

We use 5,000 watt xenons at the drive-in for 5 fl, think what we'd need for DLP!!!

David

| IP: Logged

John T. Mellor
Film Handler

Posts: 52
From: Htafield, Pennsylvania, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 04-01-2001 11:04 PM

First thanks Randy for posting this one . John when we were at Showeast we talked about Digital projection at the drive in . Just think if they could get a decent picture at the drive in what would the indoor look like. As far as light in a diferent post you showed a picture of a real projector with in my estimation the best lamp for projection. It was a Norelco AA-2 with a Perless model15 Hycandescent.I used the lamps at a few drive ins years ago 13.6mmpositive and 1/2 in negative carbons 65v at 210 amps do the math they really cooked the film if you weren't carefull. Maybe they should try the perless on the back of the digital . All that said I think we all would like to see if the digital guys will even try to do a drive in.

If they do I really would like to be there .
John

| IP: Logged

Randy Loy
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 156

Registered: Aug 1999

posted 04-02-2001 09:47 AM

I agree John. I'd love to see a digital projection demo at a drive-in theatre. If the digital guys could perfect the technology to handle an outdoor venue like a drive-in, imagine the other outdoor applications that it could be used for. Theme parks come first to mind.

Anybody in digital projection development wanna try the challenge? I'm sure through the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association we can come up with drive-in owners who'd be more than happy to let you use their theatres for the demo. In fact, UDITOA member Tim Sherman offered the use of his theatre earlier in this discussion.

| IP: Logged

Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-02-2001 01:38 PM

Ok, I know it isn't quite digital cinema or digital Imax but we have run video outdoors on a big screen. Last year, at the Telluride Film Festival, we ran a documentary about Shackelton's famously failed expedition to the South Pole on video at the outdoor theatre. We used a Digital Projection 8SX with a Sony Betacam SP as a source. In short, it looked fabulous! It was just like the Discovery Channel on the best, biggest TV you ever saw.

| IP: Logged

John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 04-02-2001 03:25 PM

Ian:

That looks like about 12 x 30 foot screen. Any idea of the screen luminance (footlamberts) you achieved? What aspect ratio was the video material?

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

| IP: Logged

Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-02-2001 06:27 PM

Since the material was shot for eventual presentation on television, the ratio was 4x3.

John, we don't have any of those fancy luminance-measuring devices out in the real world. But using my highly trained, calibrated eyeball, I'd say that the image was damn bright. That screen uses 3,000 watt Christie lamps in Strong lamphouses. The image looked as bright as the 1.85 image I have seen there. Those Digital Projection machines have the muscle to do the job.

| IP: Logged

John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 04-02-2001 08:12 PM

Under ideal conditions, the Digital Projection 8SX Power projector has a nominal output of 8000 ANSI lumens. Probably looked pretty bright on your screen, but many drive-in screens are about ten times the area!

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.