Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Digital Conversion in the US

This is topic Digital Conversion in the US in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Sam Cat (Member # 3532) on 09-07-2008, 07:16 AM:

With the USA converting many screens to digital, how has it been going?

Has there been an improvement in turnover from having digital screens?

Are the cinemas that have not converted to digital losing business to other cinemas that have converted?

Are projectionists still needed? If so is there enough work for them? Or are they working from downstairs?

Have the running costs and maintenance problems increased compared to 35mm?

Were the deals done to also convert the smaller Independant operators or have they been left out?

If not are smaller Independants finding it harder to get prints that there would be now less 35mm film stock?

Any other problems that other countries might need to know with the conversions?

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 09-07-2008, 08:51 AM:

Hi Sam, All your questions are already covered in the straight to video thread, Digital is much more expensive to maintain and cinemas are a tight margin business.
ie so some cinemas that haver done the switch have closed as they are no longer profitable. Only to be reopened with film again.

Essentially spending a small money on filmguard and a kelmar cleaner almost matches the results of spending megabucks on digital gear.

The main worry is with 2k (1080P) now avaliable at home. Film done wrong will be very obvious to an increasingly discerning audience.

Cinemas now experimenting with Filmguard and Kelmar cleaners include G.U, Palace, Reading, United and several independent cinemas here in Sydney have been using it for up to 7 years.

Posted by Michael Hossen (Member # 4274) on 09-07-2008, 09:03 AM:

I need to convince my manager to let us install some film cleaners and get a hold of some film guard. Where would one source this in Australia?