This is topic "Apollo 13" IMAX question in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 08-07-2002, 03:15 PM:
"APOLLO 13" will begin it's selected IMAX theatre run very soon and I have some questions about the way it will be shown in that format. First of all, I was surprised that the 74 minute "FANTASIA 2000" ran without an intermission when I thought the maximum running time of a IMAX film is about 45 minutes. Because "APOLLO 13" has a running time of 140 minutes, an intermission will be necessary but I have read somewhere that the IMAX version will be reedited and have a shorter running time. If so, can anyone tell me what the running time will be.
The 2nd question has to do with the aspect ratio. The 35mm theatrical version played in 2.35.1 and does anyone know how "APOLLO 13" was shot? Did they use spherical lenses or anamorphic? I will be very curious to see how the image will look if they try to fill the entire screen if the film was photographed with an anamorphic lens. My 'gut' feeling tells me that it will be awful! I love this movie and I hope I will be proven wrong.-Claude
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-07-2002, 03:24 PM:
Some links:
Australian article
Collect Space News
Apollo 13
Big Movie Zone article ------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-07-2002, 03:32 PM:
>>"FANTASIA 2000" ran without an intermission when I thought the maximum running time of a IMAX film is about 45 minutes.<<
'Fantasia 2000' ran in IMAX 3D (2-projector) houses and used a changeover between reels, IIRC.
-Aaron
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-07-2002, 03:33 PM:
All newer IMAX theatres use the QT platter and if they have a single machine it has an option now of 150min or if they are a twin SR 3d theatre they do a changeover between machines.
Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 08-07-2002, 03:40 PM:
Apollo 13 was shot in "Super-35" spherical. I'm also curious to know how they'll adapt the image for IMAX.
Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 08-07-2002, 04:16 PM:
Yes, "FANTASIA 200" did play in my area at the Waikiki IMAX on a 3-D projection system and that explains why no intermission was necessary. If they limit the presentation of "APOLLO 13" to just one change over, the total running time will only be about 80 minutes leaving an hour of original footage on the cutting room floor. I have seen IMAX prints on a platter and in shipping containers and they appear to wegh a lot. I cannot imagine an IMAX projectionist making a change over more than once because of the necessity of removing film off a platter and replacing it with the 3rd and 4th reel if "APOLLO 13" is to play in its original running time.-Claude
Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-07-2002, 04:53 PM:
It would be neat if the IMAX DMR process paved the way for a slew of revivals of classic films originally shot on 65mm.You never know...Mass interest in seeing the IMAX version of "Apollo 13" could give rise to a slew of NEW films shot on 65mm and released in 70mm to commercial theatres (as well as IMAX screens).
That would put an end to this digital nonsense once-and-for-all, wouldn't it?
~Manny (because so much is riding on your tires).
Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 08-07-2002, 05:31 PM:
The problem with that is that 65mm productions would be severely cropped to fit the IMAX frame, while Apollo 13 was a SUPER 35 production.
Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-07-2002, 05:43 PM:
Ah but consider a 65mm/5-perf frame printed as a letterbox across the IMAX frame, probably in the lower portion although not all the way at the bottom--whatever works best for typical sightlines. Maybe do it with a 2:1 aspect ratio (losing a little bit of the sides of the original image) to gain some height.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-07-2002, 05:44 PM:
Well let see today I ran 5 different 45min Imax films twice each lifting them on and off every time.
The standard 48" Imax reel (since it sits on its side it does look like a platter) will hold 72 Min to the very edge (be very careful if you attempt that let alone move it)
The Imax non rewind system reffered to as the QT can handle depending on the model up to 150 min per deck.
If it is a typical 3D house it would have 5 decks
Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 08-07-2002, 06:03 PM:
Thanks Gordon for that information. I now know that "APOLLO 13" will most likely be shown in it's unedited version and only hope that the cropping to IMAX will not be too severe from the open matte Super 35mm film frame if there are no unwanted elements such as overhead microphones.-Claude
Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 08-07-2002, 06:33 PM:
Steve Krauss wrote:
quote:
Ah but consider a 65mm/5-perf frame printed as a letterbox across the IMAX frame
Actually, didn't some of MYSTERIES OF EGYPT originate on 5 perf 65mm? THe historical segments were letterboxed within the IMAX frame and looked very good indeed.
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 08-07-2002, 07:55 PM:
Fantasia 2000, Beauty and the Beast, Treasure Planet, Lion King, and (likely) Aladdin are all "letterboxed" as 1.66 on the 1.4 Imax screen. Apollo 13 will probably follow suit.Apollo will probably be edited to a certain extent, both for content and length (print cost). 140 minutes X 330 ft/min X .66 $/ft = $30,492 per print.
It would also weigh in at about 900 pounds. My forklift will pick up 1,000 pounds, but you won't see me trying it anytime soon!
There are several modifications for the QTRU reel unit: original configuration will hold about 60 minutes on a reel; for $20,000, the "Fantasia" upgrade will hold about 90 minutes on a reel using the bottom two reel arms; and for another $20,000, the "Apollo" upgrade will hold about 120 minutes on a reel using the bottom two reel arms and 90 minutes on the middle two reel arms with the top arm holding about 60.
The MK2 reel unit with 60-inch reels can hold 90 minutes of film.
The SR projectors are capable of doing a single changeover during a show. A multiple changeover version of the software has been promised, but I don't think it has become anything of a reality yet. That means that an SR with an unmodified QT can run 120 minutes without interruption, or 300 minutes with a full blown QT package. When it comes to feature-length 3D films, both projectors run simultaneously, so no changeover is possible.
The GT and Classic are single-projector systems and, obviously, cannot do a changeover without a second projector. They are limited by their reel unit.
There is also a question of sound system capacity. Theaters with dubbers have to upgrade to a digital playback source at some point. Only so much 35mm fullcoat will fit on a reel.
With all that said, Waikiki Imax is a GT 3D system (probably with a QTRU and a MK2). Polynesian opened in 1991 and is 2D only, so my guess is that it is a Classic with a MK1. The Bishop Museum will have an SR dome and a QTRU when it opens in 2004.
Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 08-08-2002, 03:25 AM:
The third link in John's post says that the running time for this version is 90 minutes.This whole thing just seems like a bad idea to me. Changing aspect ratios, cutting stuff out... Might as well just wait for the damn thing to come on network TV.
Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 08-08-2002, 05:55 AM:
Hi Claude! Welcome to Film-Tech. As you can see, I am no longer working in Waikiki, but I am glad to know the Waikiki IMAX remains in business. We already had the "Fantasia" upgrade to the QTRU platter, as well as the digital audio playback system, so it shouldn't be too involved for them to prep for "Apollo 13".
Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 08-08-2002, 02:35 PM:
Hi Chris, HOW ARE YOU? I always think about you everytime I go to Waikiki to see a movie. Are you still working for Pacific Theatres or are you with another company now? All of the Waikiki theatres are still operating and I was very impressed with the crowd that turned out for a "SPIDERMAN" showing the second week of it's run at the Waikiki #2. The theatre was almost half full and that is very unusual. I am planning to see "SIGNS" at the #2 on Sunday and I am not expecting to see too many people. I saw "K-19-THE WIDOWMAKER" at the #3 last Saturday and there must have been only about 50 people during the first show in that 950 seat auditorium. Who ever moved the print from the Waikiki #1 to the #3 must be very absent minded because he or she forgot to remove the SDDS sound trailer and replace it with the DTS because that's what I saw. Although there have been talk of closing the Waikiki Twins and house #3, I heard that Pacific Theatres is interested in keeping the Waikiki IMAX open because some studios are now considering or releasing regular feature films shot or reformatted for that large film format such as "APOLLO 13". The Ward 16 is always busy no matter what's playing there but business at Signature's Dole Cannery is not what it used to be because of the public's preference of the Ward theatres.
-Claude
Posted by Tal Marks (Member # 175) on 08-09-2002, 11:22 AM:
Hi. The other day, we ran a full workprint of A13. I believe the runtime was just under 2 hours. There was some cropping that didn't let the image fill the entire top of the screen, but it didn't look bad.
At this IMAX theater (Lincoln Square), we have a reel unit that consists of four 8' platters capable of handling 4 hours of film @ 24fps and 2 hours at 48fps (see pictures in warehouse). IMAX was planning on retro-fitting our smaller reel units to accomodate the film, but decided against it (untill further notice).