Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: IMAX film length

This is topic IMAX film length in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jonathan Althaus (Member # 5042) on 02-02-2009, 06:44 PM:

I thought I read somewhere that IMAX platters can only support 160 minutes of film. Is this true at all? and if so, Watchmen is 165 minutes without trailers.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-02-2009, 07:35 PM:

They have the capability in doing changeovers with a two, "SR" unit setup.

Also, the platter system that they use, also have extra large diameter decks to handle 3hr DMR prints.

Posted by Jonathan Althaus (Member # 5042) on 02-02-2009, 07:38 PM:

OK, thanks Monte. Hope Watchmen lives up to the hype or there's going to be a lot of angry butt-sore customers out there.

Posted by Bob Brown (Member # 1205) on 02-02-2009, 10:29 PM:

Well, not quite 3 hours. With the upgrade to the QT, here is what can be handled... It's true that SR's and MPX machines can do change overs, so those projectors could, in theory, do a 5 hour show. The GT projectors are limited to the constraints of the platters so they cannot do change overs.

First. The 150 min platters are 71.5" in diameter, or 1809 mm

The 150 min. platters will only hold:

a.) with clamps 143 minutes

b.) with platter bolts 158 minutes

Usually what they will do is speed up the credits and make them in columns so it will help get it under the limits of our platters.

Hopes this helps..

-Bob

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-03-2009, 04:34 AM:

They should speed up the credits on ALL movies. Its such a waste.

Mark

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 02-03-2009, 08:57 AM:

Why not play the credits on a separate 35mm reel?

Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 02-03-2009, 11:01 AM:

Because not all IMAX theatres have a 35mm projector

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 02-03-2009, 03:21 PM:

Didn't realise that, have always seen a 35mm ad reel before IMAX shows and assumed this was the standard set-up.

Posted by Jonathan Althaus (Member # 5042) on 02-03-2009, 03:47 PM:

Every IMAX film I've seen here in Dallas has been all IMAX, no ads from a 35 at all. Just the IMAX logo bouncing around screen.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-03-2009, 05:07 PM:

Like the one IMAX in our area: It was opened as a straight IMAX building (having SR's with the platter), but later on, a Simplex 35 with a high speed intermittent assembly was added behind a CHR SLC-45 console.

This was done to give the complex near by, another screen to open a big movie if needed.

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 02-04-2009, 01:19 AM:

Monte - actually, It was a Highlight II console with a Technalight reflector. The high-speed intermittent was removed when the reflector was upgraded. I also changed the XL head to a 1060.

I wonder if the old Mark1 and Mark2 equipped theaters will be having intermissions? Maybe someone else knows, but does the Mark2 support the 1809 platters?

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 02-06-2009, 04:35 PM:

quote: Tristan Lane
does the Mark2 support the 1809 platters?

The MkII Reel Unit can be modified to handle 1740 mm (68.5 inch) platters that will hold a maximum of 157.5 minutes of film.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 03-06-2009, 07:16 PM:

For Watchmen they did what Bob said above about the credits, three columns for the cast and five for the crew, and possibly took out the visual effects credits as well.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-08-2009, 05:43 PM:

Hopefully they also took out that piece-o-shit 'song' (if you can call it a song) that opens the credits as well.

At least it clears the cinema quickly by having it there though.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 03-08-2009, 07:33 PM:

The My Chemical Romance cover of Bob Dylan? Almost certain it was still there, sadly they cut the Leonard Cohen song instead.