P U B L I S H E D B Y C H R I S T I E VOL 3 Cinemark Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Energy Conservation Program Converting to Christie SLC Consoles Brings Increased Efficiency and Superior Performance This year Cinemark USA is celebrating its twentieth IN THIS ISSUE “We chose Christie because we have enjoyed a anniversary, bringing “The Best Seat in Town” to long term relationship, during which we have over 175 million people annually. The company is developed strong confidence in the quality of their the third largest exhibitor in the U.S. and is a leader equipment,” remarks Steve Owen, director of in the industry, operating 304 theatres and 3,251 purchasing for Cinemark USA. “Christie SLC screens in 33 U.S. states, as well as internationally Consoles help us achieve better light output while in 13 countries, mainly in South and Central using less wattage. This, in turn, has helped us America. lower energy consumption and increase efficiency. Among Cinemark’s many achievements is being The Christie SLC Console achieves brighter illumi- among the first to offer advanced real-time Inter- nation on the screen than the previous supplier’s net ticketing on its own website, as well as such higher-wattage 4K unit,” he elaborates. features as true stadium seating, wall-to-wall screens and digital sound in its theatres. As the company begins its third decade in business, it is seeking to lower energy consumption Summing it up, Owens adds, “With the lower cost of lamps, the longer lamp life and the energy savings, it’s a win-win-win situation all around.” NO 1 Reaching New Heights 2 Europe/ Twin Towers Portugal 3 Hollywood Embraces Digital Cinema 4 Cinema “Shorts” 4 Xtreme Success In Mexico 6 Golden Harvest 7 Digital Cinema Revolution 8 Christie Digital Cinema Worldwide 8 and increase efficiency in its theatres. To achieve this, Cinemark teamed up with Christie to convert over 80 of its film consoles to Christie SLC Consoles, with an additional 150 consoles in line for replacement in the coming months. The conversion to Christie SLC Consoles allows Cinemark to downsize lamp sizes while maximizing output from Xenon lamps through Christie’s computer-generated optics reflector design. The unique reflector coating also reduces harmful IR energy, thus preventing film damage. Predictable Performance Time and Time Again The Christie SLC Console offers several innovative features not found in other Xenon consoles on the market, including a patented motorized three-axis lamp alignment to improve light efficiency when changing formats and a pre-set automatic bulb focus, actuated when screen format changes from flat to scope. No more “hot” spots with the Christie SLC Console. The Christie Aconic reflector design provides “flat” light distribution across the screen. Christie 2K Digital Projector Installed at Time Warner Center Executive Screening Theater in New York City Reaching New Heights One of the most talked-about additions to the New York City landscape is the new Time Warner Center, completed in 2004 at a cost of $1.7 billion. The 55-story, twin-tower complex houses the Time Warner World Headquarters, a 250-room/suite luxury hotel, forty retail stores, 10 restaurants, office space, 225 luxury apartments, as well as CNN live broadcast production studios and a vast concert hall which is home to Jazz at Lincoln Center. This modern architectural masterpiece has become a new social, recreational and business hub in Manhattan. Included in the construction of Time Warner’s World Headquarters’ was the installation of a state-of-the-art audio/visual facility, featuring a 175-seat auditorium with a 30-foot screen. The space is used for screening cinema presentations, diverse digital, video and film content, live feed, and special events. Time Warner selected Christie following the lead of Warner Brothers Studios, 2 Hollywood, which has standardized on Christie CP2000 digital cinema projectors. The Best Cinema Experience Available Commercially The company responsible for the overall audio and visual systems for Time Warner Corporate, TechnoMedia Solutions, noted that company executives wondered whether the image quality of digital projection could The Christie CP2000 projector is part of match that of high-end 35mm film projection. Christie’s comprehensive line of digital “The Christie CP2000 projector performed cinema solutions and offers versatility with beautifully, with no discernible difference in various video formats and computer inputs. the images on the screen versus traditional It was the first 2K resolution DLP Cinema™ film,” said Mike Carroll, senior project man- projector to be installed in a commercial ager, TechnoMedia Solutions, and consultant venue in North America. to Time Warner. “The overwhelming Rydt Entertainment Systems, the company responsible for the design, engineering and oversight of the screening room installation, response was that the image projected by the Christie CP2000 matched film quality.” Christie is honored to add Time Warner supplied all the projection equipment. “The to its growing list of major organizations Christie CP2000 digital projector can display worldwide that recognizes the versatility anything Time Warner is doing media-wise, and quality performance of Christie digital including feed from CNN, which is housed in cinema projectors. the same building. Whether it is digital content, news conferences, direct feed or live feeds, the Christie CP2000 can handle it,” declared Emil Poggi, Rydt’s vice president of The Time Warner Executive Screening Theater is an integral part of their multi-functional media and entertainment center. engineering. The Christie CP2000 offers the highest possible resolution and color rendition, reproducing the effect of film at the highest level of digital reproduction. Photo: Adrian Wilson Lisbon Home To Portugal’s Most Technologically Sophisticated Cinema Filmitalus’ New “Twin Towers” Complex Offers Top Of The Line Equipment The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a truly legendary city with a history spanning over twenty centuries. And now, Lisbon is also room can completely control all five audi- Filmitalus expects to build additional toriums – down to the automatic opening/ state-of-the-art and sophisticated complexes closing of the patron access doors. in other locations in Portugal in the coming The theatre with its fiber optic ceilings, months and the company plans to rely once acoustic wall coverings, and modern décor, again on Christie, along with their partner, welcomed over 1,000 guests at the opening, Edecine, to ensure the highest quality experi- with a cocktail reception, previews, special ence for its guests. features and trailers. the home of the most advanced cinema complex in all of Portugal. Filmitalus, Ltd. recently opened the five-screen, 768-seat “Twin Towers” multiplex in downtown Lisbon, constructed from scratch in just six months time. Filmitalus, a Portuguese distributor of independent theatrical pictures since 1950, has distributed more than 600 pictures of various origins and genres. Twin Towers is their first venture as an exhibitor. Offering Patrons The Highest Quality Projection And Sound Available In Portugal. The film-protecting, time-saving Christie Endless Loop Film System (ELFs) can project up to 240 minutes of film continuously – without threading. It guides film accurately and automatically through the system again and again. Filmitalus worked with Edecine Empresa de Cinemas, LDA, in business for over 50 years, and Christie’s dealer in Portugal for over a decade. Edecine was responsible for the installation of five complete Christie film systems – featuring the Christie P35 AT Gearless Film Projectors, the Christie “Endless Loop” film systems (the first installation in Portugal), Christie SL20/30 Xenon Consoles and Autowind™ film handling platters plus all other technical equipment, such as DTS sound systems. “Among the most important factors in our decision to select Christie equipment for the theatre was the steadiness of the picture on the screen, due to the gearless innovation of the Christie P35 projectors, as well as the reliability of the product,” explains Federico Barbato, Filmitalus’ managing director. “We were also able to get all the support we needed from Edecine, the local dealer with a well-deserved reputation in Portugal, so that installation went absolutely smoothly,” he adds. The theatre is also exceptionally efficient – the projectionist in the control 3 Hollywood Embraces Digital Cinema Exhibitors And Service Providers Prepare To Take the Plunge Five years ago, digital cinema projection was added a new tool to the toolkit, and ma is clearly superior in terms of creating, a new technology on the Hollywood scene, potentially gave them an edge.” processing, delivering and viewing content. the stuff of experimentation for innovative The immediate advantage of digital But a digital cinema projector currently costs directors like George Lucas and Steven technology has been realized for some time much more than its 35mm counterpart. In Spielberg. Few saw it as a serious challenge on the production side of filmmaking. addition, 35mm film is a 100-year old tech- to the 35mm film projection industry. Now, a Converting from analog to digital offers nology whose standards are universally sea of changes that includes a leap in image significant advantages in speed, efficiency accepted. Almost any 35mm projector in any quality has propelled digital cinema tech- and cost, in areas ranging from screening of part of the world can play a 35mm film with nology into the spotlight. digitized reels, handling of visual effects, minimal, if any, modification. You can’t say color grading, editing, and aspects of audio that yet of digital cinema, which still needs production are also improved. to develop accepted formats and standards. The “tipping point,” according to Bob Lambert, senior VP, worldwide media technology for the Walt Disney Company, came about the same time cinematographers and directors began insisting on using digital projectors for reviews and digital dailies two years ago. “When projection manufacturers started talking to Hollywood, the projectors got much better. We saw a clear improvement in contrast ratio, color rendition and overall image quality. As the Hollywood infrastructure became more experienced, the production and creative community had more opportunities to work with digital projectors,” says Lambert. The Walt Disney Company was one of the earliest proponents of digital cinema technology. “Toy Story 2,” the Disney/Pixar 1999 release, was the first animated film ever to be entirely created, mastered and exhibited. Today, 2K resolution digital cinema projectors, such as the popular Christie CP2000, represent the latest evolution of the technology based on Texas Instruments’ DLP Cinema™ technology. They have made their way into the Hollywood infrastructure and can be found in most major Hollywood studios. “There was also a social change in the Hollywood community, with digital projection becoming recognized more and more as a tool and less of an oddity,” recalls Lambert. “Along with peer influence and keeping up with their craft, both directors and cinematographers found that digital cinema 4 Technicolor Digital Cinema (TDC), a global Addressing this challenge, Digital Cinema provider of comprehensive end-to-end digital Initiatives (DCI), a consortium of seven cinema services and solutions, was one of Hollywood studios, is helping to develop the first to embrace digital cinema for and document an open architecture for the screening and internal presentations. A lead- digital cinema system. ing d-cinema service provider for the distribution and exhibition communities, TDC is involved in every segment of digital cinema – from compressing, encrypting, uploading and managing digital presentations for all Cinema “Shorts” major Hollywood studios to installing, maintaining and servicing digital cinema systems in theaters worldwide. Dave Elliott, CEO for Technicolor Digital Cinema, believes that industry support for digital technology is growing and the emergence of digital cinema as a global platform is on the horizon. Increasingly, digital cinema is enabling alternative content such as On-Screen Advertising (OSA) and the transmission of programs such as sporting events and musical performances to become more accessible in theatres. “Clearly, we see that the momentum is building for the launch of a meaningful digital footprint in North America and elsewhere,” says Elliott. Still, industry observers agree that adoption of digital cinema on a scale that will make it both practical and cost-effective for both the Hollywood community and the exhibitors has a long way to go. Digital cine- Christie Presents Today’s Brightest Cinema Artists in Best Light As a sponsor of the 29th Toronto International Film Festival®, September 2004, Christie provided five high performance digital projectors that included the Christie CP2000 digital cinema projector, two Christie Roadster S6 projectors, a Christie Roadster S9 projector and the Christie LX45 projector. The projectors screened a total of 68 films, with 13 movies shown on the Christie CP2000 digital cinema projector. The Festival’s Showcase Theatre featured the Christie CP2000 2K resolution digital cinema projector, screening world premieres of Lions Gate Films’ “Beyond the Sea,” directed by Kevin Spacey, starring Spacey and Kate Bosworth, and Spike Lee’s Film “Sucker Free City.” Started in 1976 as a collection of films from other festivals (a festival of festivals), TIFF has become one of the most successful cinematic events in the world. Hollywood Takes a Shine to Christie’s Cinema Solutions At ShowEast 2004 in Orlando, Christie screened five major digital releases – the most number of digital screenings to take place at ShowEast – on its flagship Christie Walt Ordway, Chief Technology Officer at DCI, notes that the organization is utilizing the latest generation of digital cinema projectors for testing. “Digital cinema today offers excellent picture quality and represents true cost savings,” adds Ordway. “However, the lack of a common format content preparation employees will be required to service and manage digital activities. For exhibitors, sufficient digital content on a consistent basis will be necessary to feed consumer demand. Among the companies helping exhibitors make the transition to digital is Christie. Founded 75 years ago, Christie is recognized for many innovations in 35mm film technology that have helped advance the industry. and system costs remain major challenges. Christie was also the first licensee of TI’s DLP DCI is optimistic that the specifications they Cinema™ chip to bring a digital cinema develop will be used by the everyone in the projector to market. industry when a rollout occurs”, says Ordway. TDC’s Dave Elliott notes that widespread d-cinema adoption/roll-out will also require additional support functions. In addition to mass production of equipment, for example, increased numbers of trained technicians will be necessary to support the installation and maintenance of d-cinema systems in thousands of theatres worldwide, while many more CP2000 DLP Cinema™ projector. The screenings included Warner Brothers’ “The Polar Express”, Universal Pictures’ “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”, Columbia Pictures/ Revolution Studios’ “Are We There Yet?”, New Line Cinemas’ “After the Sunset” and Lions Gate Films’ “Beyond the Sea”. Christie also showcased its Cypress, California-based managed services network operations center and presented its full range of cinema solutions including a technology preview of the new Christie CP2000X digital cinema projector featuring 2K DLP Cinema™, representing a brilliant leap in design functionality and versatility. Christie Makes Digital History with “The Phantom of the Opera” On December 15, 2004 Christie made history by providing its Christie Roadster S9 projector to screen Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera”, a Joel Schumacher film, at its Canadian premier. The benefit event for Sick Kids® Foundation and the Therapeutic Clown Program® at Sick Kids® took place in Toronto’s historic Winter Garden Theatre. Over 1,000 moviegoers were treated to a high-quality digital movie with lush images and perfect digital sound, befitting the award-winning musical and largest grossing stage production. The film was released on December 22, in select theatres in DLP Cinema™. “Today, Christie digital cinema projectors are found in over 60% of all installations in commercial venues around the world. The company has been leveraging its depth of expertise in film to help exhibitors integrate digital cinema into their theatres,” comments Jack Kline, president and COO, Christie USA. Jack Kline, President and COO, Christie, with the Christie CP2000 projector at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre – the first commercial venue installation of a 2K digital projector in North America. “What does an exhibitor do once he installs digital cinema? According to Kline, company’s cinema strategy, on-screen adver- “exhibitors need knowledgeable, experi- tising and post house programs. “Exhibitors enced technicians with the depth of experi- need to feel absolutely confident that the ence in both 35mm and digital cinema to infrastructure of service and support is in help them make the transition as painless as place before they can begin to embrace possible. 35mm has remained virtually digital cinema,” he says. “Every hour of unchanged since its introduction and downtime for one of their projectors can provides a proven, time-tested value and represent a significant financial loss.” stability not yet available in digital cinema. Anticipating this critical need, Christie The introduction of digital cinema demands has been expanding its service department, a quantum change in every aspect of this positioning technicians in major demographic 100-year old industry. From capture to distri- areas to minimize response time to field calls. bution to theatre management, as well as To handle related digital content such as projection and service, everything changes.” on-screen advertising, Christie was also one Disney’s Lambert agrees. “There are over of the first to create a state-of-the-art Network 33,000 screens in the U.S. alone. The Operations Center (NOC) to monitor client economy of scale needs to be in place projectors, remotely tracking vital signs such before a full-scale rollout takes shape,” he as lamp life and pre-empting any developing says. “You need to build all the infrastructure issues by identifying and resolving them to support the servers, projectors, post- before they happen. production facilities, etc. It’s no longer just Elliott sees a correlation on the post- experimenting with the technology, but production side. “Our most important developing content and establishing quality advantage lies in our ability to understand control in the field. For example, who do you and serve the digital cinema requirements call on a Sunday night when there’s a problem?” of all content owners as digital cinema Craig Sholder, VP, business development and cinema solutions, Christie, leads the emerges,” he says. continues on page 8 5 Xtreme Success In Mexico Situated not far from Mexicali in Sonoma, in both our theatres Mexico, San Luis Rio Colorado has become a have proven to be cinephile’s dream-come-true, thanks to the rugged and reliable, opening of a new Xtreme Cinemas six-screen and can withstand multiplex. Leading the way as the town’s the rigors of contin- most well-appointed and advanced entertain- uous operation,” ment center, offering such amenities as comments Rogelio stadium-style seating, a snack bar and full- Do Los Santos, service cafeteria, interactive attractions and director of Xtreme video games, thoroughly modern interior Cinemas. “These design, and surround sound audio. The projectors are easy $4.1 million (US) theatre complex screens to install and operate, and just as important, first-run movies, seats 1,200 patrons per Christie’s technical expertise and onsite showing, and attracts more than 4,500 service is among the best in the industry. The people per day. company completed the installations in our The San Luis Rio Colorado cinema is the second complex created by Xtreme Cinemas in Mexico. Last year the company opened a projection booths in record time to help us meet our deadlines,” he adds. Xtreme plans to continue with its plan for 10-screen complex in the town of Tuxtla Gui- aggressive growth in the Mexican market. tierrez. That theatre attracts audiences of The company is among the newest genera- about 30,000 per week, one of the highest tion of multiplex builders whose use of per-screen ratios in the country. modern cinema technology is leading the Christie’s Gearless Projectors Part of Xtreme Cinema’s Formula for Success resurgence in the industry. Xtreme has announced plans to build additional multiplexes in Tijuana, among other cities in Mexico, which will also incorporate similar Xtreme selected Christie P35GPSL-AT film infrastructures and design, as well as projectors with its award-winning sealed Christie projection systems. Ultramittent™ automatic lens and aperture Extreme focuses on treating customers changers for both of its complexes. “The as special guests and creating an enriching Christie gearless projection systems installed experience for every single patron. “Top quality infrastructure provides the backdrop for our continued growth, but our dedicated staff is responsible for making sure we succeed every day,” explains De Los Santos. With 28,000 tickets sold in the first week of operation in San Luis Rios Colorado, Xtreme seems well on its way to achieving its goal of customer satisfaction and an overall high-quality cinema experience. Durable, high quality Christie gearless projectors are designed to run day in and day out, year after year. 6 Xtreme Cinemas offers local residents in Sonoma, Mexico a choice of six screens, extensive amenities and a high-tech environment. Golden Harvest Opens its First Multiplex in China Biggest Cinema in Shenzhen Opts for Christie Gearless Projection Systems Shenzhen, China’s shopping mecca located Currently, the largest hall consists of 280 45 minutes from Hong Kong, is now the seats, while the Gold Class Auditorium is a location of the largest indoor shopping com- 30-seat VIP cinema with reclining seats and plex in South China. The recently completed personalized in-theatre food and beverage six-floor, 180,000 square-meter MIXc Mall at services. Two of the seven halls will also be City Crossing houses 300 retail outlets, equipped with digital projectors and all including shops, restaurants, bars, recreation cinemas will also be embarking onto the facilities (including an ice rink) and a brand electronic platform to tap into the potential new cineplex. This theatre is the first multi- of on-screen advertising. screen complex constructed in China by Golden Harvest selected Christie for all its Golden Harvest Entertainment, representing projection needs, installing seven Christie the company’s largest investment in China, P35GPDZ-MOT 35mm gearless projectors – valued at $5.13 billion U.S. Golden Harvest all fitted with Christie Xenolite™ Consoles Entertainment is one of the most established and Christie Autowind™ platters. These names in the Asian cinema industry state-of-the-art 35mm projectors, featuring Seven Screens and Five More on the Way the award-winning Ultramittent™ and automatic lens and aperture changer, offer smooth, quiet, and reliable operation with The wholly-owned GH Shenzhen Cineplex exceptionally steady picture on the screen will serve as Golden Harvest’s first world-class to provide the optimal visual quality. flagship showcase in China with full-stadium In the second phase, another five seating and large screens. During the initial screens scheduled to be completed by phase, the complex completed seven halls, the end of 2005, will also feature totaling 1,046 seats in operation at end of Christie projection systems. Service, Price and Quality Key to Selection Decision “We decided to work with Christie on this project because we felt the company’s pricing structure was very competitive and they offer a more professional level of service compared to the other providers in the market. In addition, we also felt that Christie’s products are generally far superior in terms of quality,” said Shayne Trembath, Senior Project Manager, Golden Harvest Entertainment Ltd. Golden Harvest joins a growing number of installations across Asia relying on Christie – the only company with solid knowledge in both the film and digital arena – for their digital and film projection needs. 2004. Golden Harvest’s first cinema complex is located in the largest indoor shopping mall in Shenzhen – considered the best retail center in South China. 7 CONTACT US Visit our website at: www.christiedigital.com Corporate Offices Hollywood Embraces Digital Cinema Meanwhile, Lambert already sees that the continued from page 5 recognizing and providing a steady on-going technology and the creative sides are slowly commitment that assures industry players coming together, resulting in manufacturers this is a real business. In addition, companies building into their designs higher quality are investing in the infrastructures to support cameras and projectors. “For example,” he the servers, projectors and related techno- says, “projector manufacturers came to us logy on a big scale. “Finally,” Lambert says, “this also means in the prototype stages of developing new USA 10550 Camden Drive Cypress CA 90630 PH: 714-236-8610 FX: 714-503-3385 Toll free: 866-880-4462 (North America only) [email protected] CANADA 809 Wellington Street North Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4Y7 PH: 519-744-8005 FX: 519-749-3136 Toll free: (800) 265-2171 (North America only) [email protected] projection technology. They established a getting emotional support from the industry Worldwide Offices relationship early on and proved they were in where there are polarized groups – the it for the long haul. That was a significant nay-sayers and the advocates.” UK ViewPoint 200 Ashville Way Wokingham, Berkshire, U.K. RG41 2PL PH: +44 118 977 8000 FX: +44 118 977 8100 [email protected] Lambert concludes: “We are going to step in the right direction. The result, today, is a steadily increasing percentage of digital need lots of screenings, side-by-side image creation – and a push on the digital demonstrations, revisions to the equipment distribution side.” and improvements to the overall architecture. Noting the beginning of the digital cine- In terms of the quality of images, I’ve seen ma rollout, Lambert feels that the industry the results on the screen from digital already has achieved substantial support projectors and we are pleased, not only with from the creative community. Production and the images projected but with the ongoing post-production facilities like TDC are development and evolution of the technology. Christie Leads Digital Cinema Revolution in the Asia Pacific Market To celebrate its 75th Anniversary in the film business, Christie was the proud sponsor of the opening night event at Cine Asia 2004. Christie also previewed at CineAsia its latest addition to the CP series – the CP2000X Digital Cinema projector featuring 2K DLP Cinema™ technology – with its revolutionary separate projection head and lamp ballast design. In addition, Christie displayed its complete range of cinema solutions and demonstrated the power of the Christie CineNet™ system for use with the world’s brightest native 16.9 high performance Christie LW40 projector. Christie Digital Cinema Worldwide*: 176 locations Total Number of Digital Projectors Installed: 208 Total Number of CP2000s Installed: 67 North America – 115 digital projectors Europe – 13 digital projectors Asia – 67 digital projectors Latin America – 13 digital projectors *Includes: Cinemas, screening rooms, post-production facilities, specialty theatres and labs. Copyright 2005 Christie Digital Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. All brand names and product names are trademarks, registered trademarks or tradenames of their respective holders. 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Send correspondence to: Arlonna Seymour 809 Wellington Street North Kitchener, ON Canada N2G 4Y7 [email protected] Kino Notes is published quarterly by Christie and distributed in print to our cinema partners and customers. We wish to thank our customers for their support in producing this newsletter. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Christie.
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