I just returned from the Rocky Mountain Theatre Convention. Here's some highlights or lowlights, depending on the subject:Technicolor had their manager of Exhibitor Relations there, Brad Carroll. He gave a 2-minute presentation about the wonderful "Exhibitor Guide," which is supposed to be arriving this week in an orange box, same color as the film cans, so watch for it.
This same rep also went to all of our hotel rooms and passed out Technicolor hats, along with a flyer about the aforementioned Guide.
If you want to write Brad a note, here is his e-mail address:
brad_carroll@technicolor.com
There was also a seminar about digital cinema (not a demonstration) in which we were basically told what we already know... nobody wants to pay for it, but "it will be affordable for everyone!" The speaker (her name was Loran, from a company called ETC unfortunately I misplaced her card) also said that Disney expects to release 40 to 60% of their titles in digital by the end of next year, and 100% in digital after that.
She also said that it will take 3 to 5 years before standards will all be accepted and in place.
John Fithian, president of NATO, was at the convention for almost the duration...he sat in on our state meeting, attended a special meeting regarding forming a regional NATO unit out of our state units, answered questions at one meeting, and also was the speaker at one of the banquets. I was impressed by him.
I wanted to ask him about why NATO was so excited about Technicolor's "binder" when there are so many real problems to fix, but the organization's focus right now is on the FTC study and how to encourage better ratings enforcement, so I didn't bring it up. (will probably write a letter later)
He did say that now, finally, the studios will "probably" put the reasons for the ratings in print ads, although I'll believe that when I see it. I just don't think the average filmmaker wants to have the words "contains extreme violence, sexual conduct and drug use" or the like in the ads for their films.
In a Q&A session at our regional meeting, Fithian responded to questions about everything from the ratings to digital cinema. He said that it would take around a decade for digital cinema to be dominant.
About the ratings enforcement problems he said "I hate to say we have to be the enforcement cops, but we better be, or else we will be FACING the cops."
He told about various legislation that has been proposed by the gov't, like fines up to $10,000 and prison time. Also there have been film company "solutions" proposed, including denying product to theatres that don't enforce the ratings.
We also saw a screening of Dreamworks's "Almost Famous," new film from Cameron Crowe. It was very good...funny, lots of good music, good story, good acting. I predict non-blockbuster business. It might be kind of a hard sell, given the '70s setting and the subject matter (kid wants to be a rock journalist and follows an up-n-coming band on the road).
If your theatre is worried about shipping costs, one of our attendees said that Technicolor will now ship your trailers and one-sheets by UPS ground if you request it. Much cheaper than the current Airborne shipping.
All in all it was a very good convention, the trade show was great (Mark G., I never got a chance to meet you, but I did see your booth!) and the setting was, as always in this convention, beautiful. Next year it's in Kalispell, Montana.
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posted 09-16-2000 02:10 PM
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