posted 07-18-2011 04:46 PM                       

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Technicolor closing Quebec film print business
Bertrand Marotte
Montreal— Globe and Mail Update
Published Monday, Jul. 18, 2011 2:35PM EDT
Last updated Monday, Jul. 18, 2011 2:40PM EDT

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The fade-out of 35mm film continues.

In the latest stop in the decline of the once ubiquitous film reel that ran through projectors in movie theatres around the world, Paris-based Technicolor said Monday it is shutting its print business at its facility in Mirabel, Que., north of Montreal.

The decision spells the loss of 178 jobs at the release printing manufacturing operations at Mirabel.

Citing the “rapid shift to digital cinema since 2010,” Technicolor says it has no choice but to rationalize operations. It has struck a series of subcontracting deals with long-time U.S. rival Deluxe that will see Technicolor exit the 35mm print business for the major Hollywood studios in the U.S. and Canada. Deluxe will take over that business, while abandoning the film print distribution sector in the U.S. and contracting it out to Technicolor facilities in Ontario and Wilmington, Ohio.

The two companies are combining forces to better deal with diminishing demand for prints while also boosting their business in post-production and digital services.

It’s anticipated that more than half of North American screens will be digital by the end of the year.

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