Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 3D Drive- In

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Posted by Frank Jerkic (Member # 2446) on 09-04-2010, 06:31 PM:

Had a patron ask me a couple of weeks back when I was putting 3D into the Drive-in as they were sick of driving 50 miles up to Townsville to see Avatar, Step Up 3D (why?) etc. in 3D, I just told him that it would never happen because of the throw plus the expense.
He wanted to know if any Drive-Ins had gone digital by erecting a smaller screen closer, My answer ‘No I don’t know of any as a small screen defeats the purpose of going to see a movie on the BIG screen’, then wanted to know what was the smallest and largest Drive-In screen built to which I have no idea.
As a matter of interest anybody know?
Tanks n Regards
Frank

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 09-04-2010, 06:54 PM:

The smallest I've heard about is 3'x 6', but there were 150 screens (approximately) and each car got their own.

The largest screen I've heard of is 160', can't remember where though.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 09-04-2010, 07:57 PM:

How big is your screen Frank?

Posted by Frank Jerkic (Member # 2446) on 09-04-2010, 11:07 PM:

Mine is 36ft x 84ft with the sheet made from fibro, wouldn't mind putting up a 2nd smaller screen but where to put it and what size is the problem, besides I can't get mine fixed at the moment after that mini cyclone 2 weeks ago as everybody is just too busy doing work with the Rudd stimulus money and in the next breath you hear the plumbers / roofers saying it's so quite so I gotta get up and fix it myself

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-05-2010, 12:50 AM:

This Drive-In in my State of Idaho on the Eastern side has a screen similar to that size and do have a BARCO out there for their digital presentations.

Posted by Frank Jerkic (Member # 2446) on 09-05-2010, 07:16 AM:

quote: Andrew McCrea
The smallest I've heard about is 3'x 6', but there were 150 screens (approximately) and each car got their own.

? how would that work sounds like TV [Confused]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 09-05-2010, 05:01 PM:

Mirrors. Not surprisingly, it didn't last.

Posted by Frank Jerkic (Member # 2446) on 09-05-2010, 08:25 PM:

Mmmmmmmmmmm so if I can get more stimulus money from our Govt. (if we ever get one)I can buy a bucket load of flat screen 3D TV's and do the same thing and have the first 3D Drive-In [Eek!]

Posted by Brian DeCiancio (Member # 1422) on 09-06-2010, 08:54 PM:

As posted above, the Spud Drive-In in Driggs, Idaho is the first "real" drive-in to go digital. Even the other "parking lot with screens" do not run theatrical digital equipment.

I have heard that the Spud plans to install 3D.

The largest, currently operating, drive-in screen is at the Bengies Drive-In just outside of Baltimore, Maryland at 120' wide x 52' high. I know of plenty that are 20' x 40'. I'm just not sure that they are the smallest.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 09-06-2010, 10:22 PM:

There are a few issues that need attention to run a 3D drive in theatre properly.

First and foremost- Light output aka screen brightness. Many drive ins are lucky to hit 5-6 fl with lamps above 4K and drive in shutters.

Second - Polarisation issues through the windscreen of the automobile. Just for fun, go for a drive, don your polarised sunnies and marvel at the newton rings and other artifacts that arise at the plane of the glass.

Third- 3D works in hardtops because of the relatively short throws and patron/screen viewing distance. The field of view in hardtops is MUCH wider than most Drive ins unless the ramps are restricted to the few front rows.

I really hope it works for the Spud..but I can't help feeling it will be a very expensive gimmick that wont really add up in boxoffice takings v cost.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 09-06-2010, 10:30 PM:

quote: Brian DeCiancio
As posted above, the Spud Drive-In in Driggs, Idaho is the first "real" drive-in to go digital

...in the USA. There have been Digital projectors in a couple of drive-ins down here for a while.