International Edition No.4 - year 1 - 8 March 2006 *** |
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Editorial by Elisabetta
Brunella, A multiplex that came into being a only few months ago in Italy, with 5 digital screens using 2K projectors, to obtain – in the words of the exhibitor – “guaranteed added value” and thus to distinguish it from its competitors. But also the sixty Swedish theatres, almost all of them equipped with less sophisticated technology, yet still capable – and here the voice is that of the Project Manager of Digital Hus, the circuit of Swedish cinemas belonging to Folkets Hus och Parker – of allowing audiences to “experience a far better quality from watching films through 1.3K projectors than on 35mm projectors”, in the “quite small venues and on the quite small screens” where it is installed. And then there are those whose digital
projectors have been used mainly for alternative events up to now, making
their cinema into a “multi-purpose theatre”: this is the case
of the recently opened Belgian complex, Cityscoop.be, which those taking
part in the “DigiTraining Plus” course will have the chance
to visit on the 8th April next. The Managing Director, Miguel Devriendt,
talks about it here. |
"DigiTraining Plus: New Technologies for European Cinemas" Visit to a digital theatre: Cityscoop.be Cityscoop.be: a multi-purpose
venue The Cityscoop.be complex was opened on 22 June 2005 by a family-owned business after only 9 months of building work. The seven-screen cinema, with a seating capacity of 1,250, is one of the most technologically-advanced complexes in existence, with full air conditioning, innovative seating and state-of-the-art sound and vision. At the planning stage, it became quite clear that in order to make an impact it would be impossible to do without digital cinema. (Click to read the whole article) On the morning of 8 April, the participants at “DigiTraining Plus” will be offered the opportunity to experience Cityscoop.be directly during a visit to the cinema, which will include projection of film sequences in English, using the “split screen” (35mm versus digital) technique. |
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The digital challenge
Interview with Gianantonio Furlan, Chief Executive
Officer It
opened its 14 theatres to the public in December 2005 and, with 5 digital
projectors, all Cinemeccanica 2K, the Cinecity Multiplex of Limena, a
small urban centre in the north east of Italy, only a few kilometres from
Padua, is one of the best equipped DLP CinemaTM digital complexes in the
world, the biggest in Europe. It is part of the Furlan Cinecity Group
which already has another two multi-screen cinemas in the area. We asked
the Managing Director, Gianantonio Furlan, to tell us about the early
months of this experience and to help us sum up the situation of digital
projection in Italy and in Europe. In order to hear, from someone who
has invested in it, and heavily so, what the opportunities are at present,
what can be expected from the near future, what exhibitors should be demanding.
And what they should change their ideas about.
(Read the whole article)
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The last days for enrolments (deadline: 10 march)
Third edition 5-9 April 2006, Kuurne (Belgium), at Barco headquarters Special Rate at 450€ Among the lecturers, Enrico Chiesa, Cicae/Afcae, Mads Egmont Christensen, Mecano Film (moderator of the course), Tom Cotton, Technicolor, Eric Dillens, nWave Pictures; Gabriel Fehervari, Chief Executive Officer, Alfacam/Euro1080; Rickard Gramfors, Digital Houses-FHP; Denis Kelly, Cinema Operations Manager, Eastman Kodak; Steve Perrin, UK Film Council; Ben Stassen, nWave Pictures; Jan Van Dommelen, Unic; Glenn Wastyn, Business Development Manager, Barco. Click to see the contents of the course Click here to download the enrolment form
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Unique Prize Draw offered by Barco to
3 of the trainees:
"Have a Digital Cinema projector in your theatre for free for 1 month" |
(see
description and technical fact card on the D-Cine Premiere DP100) (see
description and technical fact card on the |
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Jaap den Engelsman, |
Digital cinemas
in Sweden Sweden currently has more than 50 digital cinemas, whereof four have 2K projectors, and the others 1.3K projectors [...]. Scalability of equipment, depending on the size of the venue and screen, is an important factor in discussions regarding quality and standardization. To install 2K projectors in small venues, in order to be allowed to screen major feature films, is unnecessary. The difference in quality of 2K on big screens compared to 1.3K on smaller screens is not distinguishable. (Click to see the table of Digital Cinemas in Sweden) |