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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: 70mm
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John Walsh
Film God
Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 10-22-2001 10:14 PM
Sadly, very few producers/distrubutors want to pay the extra money for a 70mm print (a DTS 70mm print costs about 3X what a regular 35mm print costs.) Also, I think they do not have any confidence in most projectionist's abilities; they think it will get ruined in a short time.At one theater, we took it out because it was different than the other projectors in use, which made training tougher. Also, I notice many theaters which have a 70mm projector have an older model, which usually does not have a lens turret. Automating everything is important nowadays, and the cost to retro-fit a turret to some 70mm projectors is more than the bean-counters feel is worth.
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Josh Jones
Redhat
Posts: 1207
From: Plano, TX
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 10-22-2001 11:55 PM
Well, if anyone is in the minneapolis area, The Heights Theatre in Columbia Heights is running almost all 70MM shows until Christmas!!!The Heights is using two Norelco AAII's, 6 track SR, dts and dolby digital changeovers, however, most 35 stuff is platter run. on the list is Ghost busters, Titanic, and if memory serves, Hamlet. and for the anime fans, Vampire Hunter D(not that great from what I heard) is running in about a week. Josh
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Brad Miller
Administrator
Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-23-2001 01:23 AM
Josh, Dave Holmgren is the man behind the show at the Heights theater. I'm almost positive that all of their 70mm prints are platter run. I believe the 2nd projector just sits there as a backup. Surely this information will not ruin a show for you there though. The make/model of projector and whether it is reels or platter should not affect the presentation.
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Josh Jones
Redhat
Posts: 1207
From: Plano, TX
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 10-23-2001 08:44 AM
Actually, I know Dave Holmgren. I bought my brenkerts from those guys. I have also had the priviledge of starting the show "Oklahoma" in Todd AO. that show was platter run on the right or projector number two. They use both machines regularly, a good 75 percent of their 70 stuff is being run changeover, and also all of their festival stuff is too. Not the most fun booth in the world to work, it is a little cramped. Platter operation doenst bother me a bit, I just like changeover operation. it makes one feel somewhat important in the booth.Josh
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Joe Beres
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 606
From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 10-24-2001 12:17 PM
70mm is a weird concept to theaters in Madison as well. Marcus Theaters, the biggest chain in Wisconsin, was remodeling their "flagship" Madison theater and wanted 70mm capability. They bought the cheapest, oldest out of service projector they could find for some reason and even one of the best guys in town couldn't get it up and running. They got rid of the projector almost as quickly as the bought it, and again Madison was without a 70mm house. I know there are lists of films shot in 65mm/released in 70mm, but does anyone have a list of theaters that can show it? Hey Josh and Brad,
Sorry to post this here, but do you guys have an email contact for Dave Holmgren? I get up to the Twin Cities on a fairly regular basis, and I've been wanting to check The Heights out. If I can get in there, I'd be happy to take some photos if people are interested.
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John Eickhof
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 588
From: Wendell, ID USA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 10-24-2001 10:23 PM
I have recently finished two 70mm installations, one at the Egyptian Theatre in Boise, Idaho now a two projector automated changeover house with both 35/70mm mag, and Dolby digital, plus the DTS is on the way, they have 4 70mm features booked over the next 4 months! The other is in Missoula Montana, a two projector boot with one of the two a 35/70 rigged for 35/70 mag, and both set for DTS running either reel to reel or on an AW3 35/70 platter! They too have three films booked in 70! Plus, there is Randy Pryde, owner of theatres in Wyoming that are predominately Norelco AA-2s! (I think he now has 12-13 installed and operating!) 70 WILL LIVE ON!!!------------------
John Eickhof President, Chief Slave
Northwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc.
P.O.Box 258
Wendell, ID. 83355-0258
208-536-5489
email: jeickhof@nteequip.com
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Joe Beres
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 606
From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 10-25-2001 10:37 AM
Mark, I really agree with you about Marcus. Their theaters have improved significantly over the past couple years, at least as far as presentation goes, but they still are quite inconsistent at times. As far as no good guys though, I disagree. There are two guys in particular here, whom you may know [don't know if I should name names], that used to work for Marcus. They are great projectionists with great reputations here. A new Star Cinemas Theater opened here and both of them ended up there through Union negotiations [an interesting story in itself], and that theater has the best and most consistenly great presentation of any multiplex I've been at. One of these two guys was trying to get that 35/70 projector up and running, and I think that Marcus wasn't willing to sink any more money into it, so he was left to try to get things going himself. Were you living in Wisconsin at the time? Who services those theaters? I'm guessing you were working for MTS, but I'd be curious to know for sure.
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Karen Hultgren
Master Film Handler
Posts: 492
From: Agoura Hills, CA, USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-25-2001 12:19 PM
Gordon,From all reports I get from projectionists I know field in many parts of the country, there is a shortage of fully equipped 70mm screens with qualified projectionists. With all the theaters closing, equipment is being scattered to the wind. And many well qualified projectionists are losing contracts and jobs. I've seen what the "popcorn kids" do to 70mm prints and it ain't pretty. As you know, these prints require special care and hardware needs to be good working order. If there are more 70mm equipped theaters that are not on the list, it would probably be a good idea to add them on so studios and film makers can see there are places to show their product.
As far as more 70mm films next year, I can tell you that as now, they are limited release. Disney is releasing some as well as Sony Classics. AND, we just did a PATTON 70mm screeing at the Academy yesturday for the DVD release promo and very limited release. I believe only one print was made.
Karen at DTS
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