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Topic: People are catching wise to IMAX MPX/Digital...

Geoff Jones
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 579
From: Broomfield, CO, USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 05-14-2009 01:42 PM

quote:
They needed a minimum screen size (say 80 feet) where the screen is big enough to wow people when they walk in the door.

Nah - that's not right. The screen should wow people when it's time for the feature to start and the curtains open!

[Smile]

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Mark Lensenmayer
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted 05-14-2009 04:53 PM

This keeps getting better and better:

quote:
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Gelfond (IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond) told investors this morning (5/14/09)Imax has patented the ability to remove the first four rows of seats in an auditorium to bring a multiplex screen closer to an audience.

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Lyle Romer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1400
From: Davie, FL, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-14-2009 05:06 PM

quote:

This keeps getting better and better:

quote:

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Gelfond (IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond) told investors this morning (5/14/09)Imax has patented the ability to remove the first four rows of seats in an auditorium to bring a multiplex screen closer to an audience.

I guess calling him an idiot in my earlier post was an understatement. I don't even know what to call him now. How do you even go about patenting something like that?

Who wants to invest with me in my new UltraMAX theater. I'm going to file a patent to remove the back 4 rows of the auditorium and replace them with a wall made of drywall and covered in acoustic treatment so that nobody sits far from the screen.

[ 05-14-2009, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: Adam Martin ]

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Ian Parfrey
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1049
From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E
Registered: Feb 2009

posted 05-14-2009 05:07 PM

You're

ing kidding me!
How much more lame can these suits get??

IWERKS should see an opportunity here as IWANK watch their brand recognition slide down the [bs]

shute.

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Cameron Glendinning
Jedi Master Film Handler

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

posted 05-14-2009 06:41 PM

Talking about lame.

Here in Sydney Australia, Hoyts have installed the small Imax(#d) within a 10 minute drive from the largest IMAX Screen in the world. (36 metres wide)

Meanwhile Greater Union cinemas have rebadged their large screen in a multiplex (ie over 20 metres wide) VMAX from its previous name GMAX. I think they do charge a premium for these particular screens.

Now which is lamer? Vmax Gmax or the all new Imax.

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Robert Harris
Film Handler

Posts: 95
From: Bedford Hills, NY, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-14-2009 08:50 PM

My perception of this thread is that if an image, regardless of size, is of proper illumination, focus, color temp, and without frames lines showing, then it should be termed Imax.

If an image is 8 -10 footlamberts, focus skewed to one side, off-color, and with the cone of one speaker blown out, it would be a movie theater.

What Imax seems to be saying is that only they have trained projectionists and tuned hardware.

If this is the case, I'll take Imax.

Or as an alternative, trained projectionists, quality gear, and dump the Imax logo.

I get it.

RAH

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Dennis Benjamin
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1445
From: Denton, MD
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 05-14-2009 09:51 PM

3-D and IMAX is simply a way for theatre chains to charge more money for what is supposed to be a better experience.

If IMAX is allowing thier name to be put on something that doesn't cut it, it's really not AMC or Regal's fault. This is an example of the film exhibitors attempting to make a bigger cut of the film's gross after the film company has already taken thier 50 percent +plus.

The reason this has become a big deal *all of a sudden* is that the Trekkies came out in force to see thier film. These are technically savvy individuals who are not afraid of speaking thier mind when it comes to pointing out the difference between the IMAXes of 2009 versus the IMAXes of 10 years ago.

We all know that there is a difference. It's 2009 - nothing is as good as it used to be. Not IMAX and not the crappy movies that Hollywood is putting out.

Let's get back to the basics in this business. When's the last time you saw a film with a good story AND properly presented?

[Big Grin]

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Julio Roberto
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 938
From: Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2008

posted 05-14-2009 10:04 PM

quote: Dennis Benjamin
When's the last time you saw a film with a good story AND properly presented?

Hmmm, I don't know. When I watched Schindler's List on dvd at home the other night?

[Razz]

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Lyle Romer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1400
From: Davie, FL, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-14-2009 10:37 PM

quote: Dennis Benjamin
This is an example of the film exhibitors attempting to make a bigger cut of the film's gross after the film company has already taken thier 50 percent +plus.

Just as with 3D surcharges, I'm sure the film company's get their percentage on the IMAX surcharge as well.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-14-2009 10:40 PM

quote: Robert Harris
What Imax seems to be saying is that only they have trained projectionists and tuned hardware.

Ha! One has to wonder if ImAx doesn't train these projectionists to de-tune the 35mm booths so the Digital Imax purposely looks better! I know, I know... that happens automatically in every plex!!!

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Sam King
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 120
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Oct 2006

posted 05-14-2009 11:00 PM

Not every plex. Believe it or not there are some plexes, even mega, that are run by qualified (maybe even over) operators, that make sure every screen is performing at it's peak in every way, every day.

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Bill Enos
Film God

Posts: 2081
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-14-2009 11:12 PM

So make your own "MAX". Paint the entire front third of any auditorium white, pull the aperture plate from the film projector and install the shortest lens you have or can get. The image will cover the painted area and you have just about the same thing for a minimal investment with higher resolution that these CRAPMAX theatres. For promotions insert the name of your theatre in front of MAX and you have it.

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Frank Angel
Film God

Posts: 5305
From: Brooklyn NY USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-15-2009 12:56 PM

quote:
Gelfond says the pricier IMAX experience is more than just screen size.

The version of the film projected on IMAX is different from that shown in traditional movie theaters, he says. The resolution is increased using a process called Digital Remastering, the sound quality is enhanced,

as has been already pointed out, 2K is 2K is 2K, no matter how many digital projector you shoot it thru. But what about this "enhanced sound" BS? Has it ever been definatively stated that there is a separate "enhanced" sound mix for the IMAX presentation that is different and unique than that heard in non-IMAX engagements? Or is he implying that the IMAX sound system itself is de facto better than any other movie theatre sound system? Or as I suspect, does this statement belong in the same catagory as his clain that the IMAX "experience" is worth an extra $5-$7 because they take out the first four rows of seats?

Is this guy on a bad batch of crack?

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 05-15-2009 01:23 PM

quote: Robert Harris
My perception of this thread is that if an image, regardless of size, is of proper illumination, focus, color temp, and without frames lines showing, then it should be termed Imax.

If an image is 8 -10 footlamberts, focus skewed to one side, off-color, and with the cone of one speaker blown out, it would be a movie theater.

What Imax seems to be saying is that only they have trained projectionists and tuned hardware.

But even that theory is bullshit. I've seen plenty of IMAX presentations where the light was dim, the focus was skewed, there were problems with the sound system AND the print was badly scratched.

IMAX means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING anymore.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-15-2009 01:54 PM

The last Imax we went to was in West Yellowstone, MT. Nice theatre, but the dirt and scuff marks "moving sideways" in the picture drove me nuts.

We also drove halfway across Salt Lake City once to attend the movie "World Trade Center" at some place because they advertised it was playing on their "Ultra Screen," whatever that is. It was a standard flat-floor auditorium as far as I could tell. Don't believe anything you read if it's advertising, I guess.

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