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Author Topic: The Psychology of Showing DVD/BluRay Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-19-2010 08:35 PM                        quote: Chris Slycord But if they see film reels as "old" wouldn't this tell you that a good portion of your audience hasn't a clue that you're normally running 35mm? Just playing "Devil's Advocate" here... I remember once someone drove down from Birmingham to see a movie and said something like "It was so clear and beautiful. When did you convert to digital?" I did explain it was 35mm, the way God meant it to be;> quote: Louis Bornwasser The difficulty here is that YOUR THEATRE brings with it an expectation of quality. If you fail to deliver, you tear down that expectation. Indeed it does. And different audiences have different definitions of quality. If the vast majority of them enjoy the show on DVD (and my audiences will tell me if they don't) we've fulfilled at least some expectation, if not all, of quality. I think it is important they know we try to get them the best product we can. And then there is the whole matter of films originated on video of some sort, that are only available on DVD. We are part of a touring filmmakers project. These can be newbie, or (indie) industry veterans. They are happy to show their films in any venue that will have them. No audience member (admittedly small audiences) has ever complained about the films being shown on DVD. Of course, none of them owned the film before seeing it, either. This week we had one filmmakers and he said our picture was the best he had ever seen it projected. I think that says more about where he's had to show it, but at least we still maintain a level of quality, even when we have to show DVD's.  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 11-19-2010 08:35 PM                     We did our first public presentation of a DVD on Veterans Days of "Warrior Champions: From Baghdad to Beijing". It was a "by invitation only" showing presented by the University of Central Oklahoma. We had about an 80' throw and at about 30' from the screen it looked as grainy as 35mm at does at the screen. Any closer then you began to see the pixels. It would have looked a little better if the content had not been shot with a handheld camera. Everyone I talked to thought the picture looked really good. I'm using a Dell Dimension 8400 3.8Ghz desktop equipped with a LG BluRay drive; Nvidia 9400GT graphics with HDMI HDCP compliant output; using Cyberlink PowerDVD BluRay software; Soundblaster Audidy. The graphics card picks up the native resolution of the Christie CP2000ZX at 2048x1080. No scaler required.  |  IP: Logged Tony L. Hernandez Expert Film Handler Posts: 158 From: Windsor, CO, USA Registered: Dec 2005 posted 11-19-2010 09:06 PM                     That is precisely correct. That particular instance happened in a first-run, mainstream mall three-plex (I have my hands in both the arthouse/reparatory and the first-run worlds) where the general public believes all movies are shown on DVD. They are the average joe who worries more about the quality of picture and sound more than they do what format it is showing on. The arthouse/repertory world on the other hand is completely different...they have a general idea of the different projection methods and want to know in advance what it is showing on. That said, in the blockbuster world, it would be a moot point (if not downright silly) to advertise having "A Brand New, 35mm print of "How To Train Your Dragon" in Cinemascope 2.35!". It sounds like the original poster runs an arthouse which also explains his audiences concern with the film's format Also, when a film actually breaks (which it rarely to never does these days with almost everything being printed on polyester), it reminds everyone, both young and old, stupid and genius, that it is a film print. Especially in my theaters (and other film done right houses) where prints never get scratches or dirt and malfunctions are an extremely rare occurrence, it helps the general misconception that everything has gone digital. This is due to audiences now expecting a scratched dirty print and a show plagued with film breaks and malfunctions while on the other hand, it is being pumped into everyone's heads how bright, beautiful and trouble free digital supposedly is.  |  IP: Logged Brian Guckian Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 594 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Apr 2003 posted 01-07-2011 10:47 AM                     Isn't it ironic that Arthouse cinemas most frequently now are the very establishments that directly undermine the work of talented filmmakers, artists and craftspeople by screening the fruits of their labours off DVD? Isn't it more respectful not to screen their work if a suitable screening format (a good 35mm print, or if unavoidable, a DCP) isn't available? Just look at the painstaking work that goes into production, costume and sound design; art direction; make-up; editing; cinematography; camera operation; lighting; rigging; writing; acting; directing; producing. What about those people? Why are their contributions overlooked? Even more ironic that "making of" featurettes that showcase these arts and crafts are standard features on...DVDs!  |  IP: Logged Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-07-2011 12:48 PM                        Well, lots of the REALLY independent films, as opposed to Hollywood independent films, ARE only available on DVD. And, of course, we arthouses are not in a position to say the the studios" "You'll never play in this theatre again." We would only get them to giggle between stifled yawns. Most of us WANT to show 35mm prints, and good ones. It's not profitable for the studios to strike new prints even if they gave a damn about the arthouses. They are not in it for the ART afterall.  |  IP: Logged Brian Guckian Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 594 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Apr 2003 posted 01-10-2011 08:08 AM                     Sure, but if some independent "films" are only available on DVD, then they shouldn't be shown in cinemas in the first place! Yes, Blu-Ray is vastly better but still cannot capture the detail of a good 35mm print, especially on 'Scope. The exhibitor can exercise a lot of control when they're booking classic or rep titles. If a print isn't available, then something else can be shown for which there is a good print available. Admittedly it's difficult to go this route as it frankly involves putting a lot of people's noses out of joint, such is the pressure to compromise on standards today. But someone needs to call a halt to a situation where Art is now at the service of Technology, when the reverse should apply.  |  IP: Logged Ben Wales Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 602 From: Southampton. England Registered: Jul 99 posted 01-10-2011 03:18 PM                     quote: Martin McCaffery Most of us WANT to show 35mm prints, and good ones. It's not profitable for the studios to strike new prints even if they gave a damn about the arthouses. They are not in it for the ART afterall. May be Cinemas with DCI Compliant Projection should Advertise that any Screenings on DVD should be dipslayed at the Box Office. If the so called Indie Films struggle to get their Movies in 35mm or DCM, may be they should consider direct release on DVD, Movies on Demand or YouTube downloads.  |  IP: Logged

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