Cinema Technology Magazine Anamorphics Projection Vintage

B•K•S•T•S The Moving Image Society

The leading specialist publication for cinema industry professionals

Vol 21 • No 1 • March 2008

Training for ProjectionistsBKSTS projection certification initiative

New CEA Chief ExecutivePhil Clapp interviewed

Annual AwardsProjection Team of the Year and Frank Littlejohns award winners

Digital projection supplementDigital 3D special feature

BE AWARE ...

at The Odeon,

Guildford on

Tuesday

April 22nd

Details page 29

Newsreel 4

Am I a good projectionist? BKSTS certification scheme 10

A new CE for the CEA - interview with Phil Clapp 12

The Ronald Grant archive and cinema museum 18

Projectionists’ Christmas party - story and pictures 24

Team of the Year Award - the Apollo Redditch team 25

Michael Wienert wins Frank Littlejohns Award 26

Christmas quiz answers 28

BKSTS Digital Cinema Awareness day for projectionists 29

Victor Nicelli retires - profile of Cinemeccanica’s MD 30

New Osram XBO lamps - new warranty 34

DIGITAL PROJECTION SUPPLEMENT

Digital newsreel 35

Lamps for digital cinema 37

Digital cinema - accelerating the european transition 39

Digital 3D cinema 41

XDC talks about 3D cinema 42

3D content making gets easier with Quantel 43

The Dolby solution to digital 3D 44

The future of digital cinema - developing 3D technology 47

Meet the Chief 50

Movie engineer’s diary - Dawn patrol 1928 52

Fun with Varamorph - unusual projection lens adaptors 54

Home cinema - comparisons and compromises 58

Book review - Basingstoke entertained 60

Obituary - Edward P Hobson 62

Feedback 62

SPONSOR MEMBERSPLATINUMOdeon Cinemas

GOLDAutodesk• Kodak Limited • Pinewood Group

SILVER

Avid Technology Europe • Deluxe London • Digital Theater Systems Dolby Laboratories • Filmlight • Hyperactive • Lee Filters • Lee LightingShooting Partners Ltd • Slater Electronic ServicesSoho Images • Technicolor • Vantis

BRONZEAardman Animations • Arri (GB) Ltd • Barco plc • Desisti Lighting UK Ltd Electrosonic Ltd • Film Distributors Association • Film & Photo Ltd Framestore CFC • Harkness Screens • Moving Picture Company Panasonic Broadcast Europe • Quantel Ltd • RTI (UK) Ltd • UGC Cinemas

SOCIETY SUPPORTERSAssociation of Motion Picture Sound • British Film Institute British Society of Cinematographers • British Universities Film & Video CouncilCinema Exhibitors Association • Cooke Optics • CST • Focal International • ITNSMPTE • Skillset • Society of Television Lighting Directors • UK Film Council

The Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the above Companies and Organisations.Enquiries regarding Sponsor Membership of the BKSTS should be addressed to: Roland brown, PresidentBKSTS - Moving Image Society, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Bucks SL0 0NH, UKe: [email protected] www.bksts.com

BKSTSTHE MOVING IMAGE SOCIETYThe Society exists to encourage, sustain, educate, train and provide a focus for all those who are creatively or technologically involved in the business of providing moving images and associated sound in any form and through any media.

The BKSTS works to maintain standards and to encourage the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of moving image and associated sound technology, in the UK and throughout the world.

The Society is independent of all governments and commercial organisations.

Volume 21 • Number 1 march 2008

contents

On the cover:

The Ronald Grant Museum - Anything and everything to do with the history of cinema .

See article on page 18

CINEMA TECHNOLOGYCinema Technology - ISSN 0995-2251 - is published quarterly by Jim Slater - Slater Electronic Services on behalf of the BKSTS - The Moving Image Society.

It is mailed to all members of the BKSTS and is also distributed to the major cinema chains and independents to reach virtually every cinema in the UK and many in Europe and worldwide. It has a circulation of about 4000, in 55 countries around the world, achieving an estimated readershipof 13,000.

Views expressed in this journal are not necessarily the views of the Society.© BKSTS - The Moving Image Society

EditorialJim Slater, Managing Editor17 Winterslow Road, Porton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0LW, UKT: +44 (0) 1980 610544 F: +44 (0) 1980 590611 e: [email protected]

Advertising / Design / ProductionBob CavanaghCaixa Postal 2011, Vale da Telha, 8670-156 Aljezur, Portugal

T: 00351 282 997 050 M: 00351 962 415 172 e: [email protected]

SubscriptionsCinema Technology is mailed free of charge to all BKSTS Members.

Please contact the BKSTS for subscription payment details or further information.

cinema technology

page 3cinema technology - march 2008

newsreel

page 4 cinema technology - march 2008

‘CHIEF OF CHIEFS’ NIGEL WOLLAND AWARDED MBE IN NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST

M.B.E.

To be Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the said

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:

Nigel Leonard Robert Wolland, Chief Engineer, Odeon

Leicester Square.

For services to the Film Industry.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL ODEON/UCI BKSTS MEMBERS

BE AWARE ...

at The Odeon, Guildford

on Tuesday April 22nd

Details page 29

newsreel

Recent Installations:Cineworld High WycombeShowcase Derby De Lux

The Empire Leicester Square Sound System

Vue @ The O2 Greenwich

Dailies Equipment Rental:Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Inkheart ; Sweeny ToddGolden CompassBourne UltimatumBlood Diamond

10,000BC and Casino Royale

The UK’s largest stocks ofSpare Parts, Consumables

and Xenon LampsAll major manufacturers

represented and supported,withsame day despatch.

Recent Digital Premieres:U2 3D Sweeney ToddPirates of the Caribbean

Our Equipment Includes:Barco DP90 and DP100

NEC iS-8/Nc800NEC NC2500

NEC1600

Digital Installations Include:Cineworld Dublin (2 screens)

Odeon SouthamptonOdeon BlackpoolOdeon Braehead

Vue@The O2 Greenwich (3 Screens)Framestore CFC

Empire High Wycombe (All Digital)Odeon Hatfield (All Digital)

Odeon Leicester SquareColumbia Pictures Preview Theatre 20th Century Fox Preview Theatre

THE UK’s LeadingSupplier and Installer of

Digital And FilmProjection Equipment.

Bell Theatre Services

9 B Chester Road, Borehamwood, Herts. WD6 1LT

T: 020-8238-6000 F: 020-8238-6060E: [email protected] W: www.bell-theatre.com

DIGITALPROJECTION:

FILMPROJECTION:

page 6

newsreel

cinema technology - march 2008

BE QUICK - BOOK FOR THE WIDESCREEN WEEKEND

ROLAND BROWN JOINS QUANTEL BOARD

Content

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Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. © 2008 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. W08_19336

www.dolby.com/professional/motion_picture/

Dolby Digital Cinema provides hardware and software systems that are highly intuitive to the user.

Delivering exceptional reliability, superb quality, technical performance and flexibility, they meet the

operational needs of all cinemas, from a multi-screen complex to a single screen theatre.

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page 8

newsreel


ALTERNATIVE CONTENTTECHNICOLOR RELOCATE UK BASE TO PINEWOOD STUDIOS

THOMSON DIGITAL HUB FOR SINGAPORE

BE AWARE ...

at The Odeon,

Guildford on

Tuesday

April 22nd

Details page 29

VUE WINS RAAM CINEMA CIRCUIT OF THE YEAR AWARD ... AGAIN

page 10

projectionist training


projectionist training


cea chief


Cinema Screens and Equipment

Specialist LED Lighting

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POWELL WHOLE PAGE 27/7/06, 4:11 pm1

page 14

cea chief



camstageSUPPLIERS AND INSTALLERS OF:

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lace in, wrap / floating and flying frames

• Front and rear projection screen surfaces for

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• Multi-stop and multi-plane masking systems

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• Horizontal and vertical draw curtain systems

• Black and coloured flame retardant and

acoustically transparent masking cloths

Acoustic Stretch Wall Systems to BS fire regulations, with a wide range of covering materials and colours

Pleated Wall Drapes in a range of materials and sizes fitted on site to your individual needs

We offer a tailored curtain and Masking System Service programme to allow the show to go on

We are able to offer a Screen Cleaning Service that removes the majority of soft drink and sauce spills

Contact us now for more information

Camstage, 31 Hedley Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 5JL, UK

t: +44 (0) 1727 830151 f: +44 (0) 1727 855993 e: [email protected] w: www.camstage.com

page 16

cea chief


page 17

cea chief


page 18

museum


page 20

museum


page 21

museum


page 22

museum


As an authorised distributor for all digital

cinema projectors we can help you make the

best choice for your cinema.

As an authorised distributor for the leading

cinema playout devices we can ensure

equipment compatibility and that you

comply with latest specifications.

We offer a number of finance options.

We will supply, install, service,

maintain and remotely monitor

your digital equipment.

page 24

projectionists’ party



team of the year award

‘...the team that has made the greatest contribution to the professionalism

and maintenance of high technical and presentation standards in the cinema.’

page 26

frank littlejohns award


The Frank Littlejohns Award recognises outstanding work in the Art and Craft of Cinema Projection...

frank littlejohns award


page 28

quiz answers


6

1 2

3

4

5


BOOKINGS: We are grateful that once again Susan Hanson will be coordinating the bookings for this event. Please make your booking preferably by emailing [email protected] or by telephoning Angela at Odeon on 01623 655355.

Those who came to Cineworld Birmingham last year for the first ‘Digital Awareness’ training course for projectionists had a great day, which combined showmanship with skills and training with technology, and we reported on the event in the June 2007 issue of Cinema Technology.Paul Schofield from the BKSTS Cinema Technology

Committee has asked the presentation team from the

successful Birmingham event to reprise their presentations.

This time he has also included in the programme some ‘real life’ experiences from a Technical Manager who is already operating an all-digital cinema. The course has been arranged for Tuesday April 22nd at the Odeon Cinema, Guildford - which is just a two minute walk from the station and with ample

parking in adjacent car parks.Make your booking NOW at the email address shown below, or by phone, and we will keep you up to date with any changes that may be needed before the event.

The aim of the event is to once again present Projection staff with an interesting and enlightening day and provide them with a snapshot of how digital cinema expects to transform their Industry. The day is less about politics than technology, and should focus on the fundamental expectations of projection staff and the skills they are likely to need to understand in the future.

The first session of the course will focus on the digital

content that people should expect to show in their cinemas,

and the second session will concentrate around the

equipment, training and ‘real-life’ experiences so far from

a Digiplex in operation.

The previous event in Birmingham was a resounding

success, and we are expecting over 100 attendees from

the UK exhibition sector at the Guildford event.

The Guildford Odeon has had a lot of experience of

digital projection, with different screens being served by 2K

and 4K projectors, and it was notable that Spiderman was

launched there on 2K, 4K and 35mm all at the same time.

Do come along - ask your managers for the time off or come under your own steam - you will have a good day and enjoy talking with other projection people.

BKSTS Digital Cinema Awareness Day for ProjectionistsProposed Outline Of The Day

10.30 Paul Schofield - Odeon Cinemas : Welcome, background and overview of the digital scene10.45 Comparisons on screen - 35mm against digital 10.50 Angela Garton - Carlton Screen Advertising : Advertising in cinemas - progress and likely effect on projection staff11.10 Marc John - City Screen Cinemas : Alternative Content - Opening up new revenues for your cinema11.30 TEA / COFFEE Break

11.45 Rod Wheeler - Barco: The Digital Projector - The new technology ‘workhorse’.12.05 Steff Laugharne - Bell Theatre Services : Equipping the projection room - other new technology in the ‘box’, including 3D12.25 Richard Boyd - BFI : Training tomorrows digital cinema operators12.45 Paul Oliver - Odeon Digiplex Hatfield : Operating a digital cinema - Experiences so far in the real world1.10 Following the formal presentations, all contributors will take part in a short question and answer session with the audience.

END - Approx 2pm

TUESDAY APRIL 22nd AT THE ODEON GUILDFORD

We are expecting the speakers to intersperse their presentations with clips allowing people the opportunity to compare digital content with 35mm and to see the exciting prospects offered by 3D.

page 30

victor retires


victor retires


page 32

victor retires


victor retires


page 34

projection lamps


page 35digital projection - march 2008

digital newsreel

Digital newsreel...Digital newsreel...Digital newsreel...2008 - THE REAL START FOR UK DIGITAL CINEMA?

B•K•S•T•S The Moving Image Society

March 2008

A supplement to Cinema TechnologyThe leading specialist publication for cinema industry professionals

page 36

digital newsreel

digital projection - march 2008

ALTERNATIVE CONTENT ... SUCCESS FOR THE REGENT DORSET

RECORD YEAR FOR CHRISTIE

BE AWARE ...

at The Odeon,

Guildford on

Tuesday

April 22nd

Details page 29

page 37

lamps for digital


page 38

lamps for digital


BE AWARE ...

at The Odeon,

Guildford on

Tuesday

April 22nd

Details page 29

digital transition


page 40

digital transition


digital 3D special feature


page 42





page 44






page 46 digital projection - march 2008




page 48 digital projection - march 2008

• DCI JPEG2000 & MPEG-2 MXF• FIPS 140.2 Level 3 certified (NIST octo 07)• 2D & 3D in standard• Support of all HD frame rates for alternative

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XDC, Odeon, CGR, DCL, Nordic..

• DCI JPEG2000 & MPEG-2 MXF• FIPS 140.2 Level 3 certified (NIST octo 07)• 2D & 3D in standard• Support of all HD frame rates for alternative

content • Intuitive touchscreen with SMS for projectionnist• 3 years base warranty, optional 6 years• N°1 world base d-cinema with more than 90% of

commercial screens• Roll-out by AccessIT, Technicolor, Arts Allliance,

XDC, Odeon, CGR, DCL, Nordic..

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4K NATIVE DISPLAY

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• Compact solution for color grading for 4K DCI mastering, and any other 4K native display application

• Available with custom stand foot for screen and player

• Direct complement of Doremi DMS-2000 4K mastering suite for DCI

Central monitoring stationHigh capacity storage (10TB+)

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meet the chief



Exercise your rightsPrepare for Council Elections

Members of the Society have the right, some would say duty, to nominate candidates to stand for election to the Council of the BKSTS.

Please think carefully and nominate any full members of the Society that you would like to see standing for election to Council - the Society needs Council Members who will give freely of their time and talents - there is much more to the job than just attending monthly Council meetings, especially at this critical time in the Society’s history. You don’t have to ask their permission to nominate them. Any members who receive the qualifying number of FIVE nominations will then be asked if they are prepared to stand for election.

• Voting forms will subsequently be posted to all Members early in April

The results of the election will be announced at the AGM which will take place at

Ascent Media, 1 Stephen Street on Tuesday 27th May 2008from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Annual awards - Advance NoticeNow is the time to start thinking about any nominations for the Society’s Fellowships and Awards. The criteria for achievement and qualification can be found on page 11 of the current issue of the BKSTS Membership Directory. Nominations must be accompanied by brief notes to justify the nominations.

diary


varamorph



varamorph


varamorph


varamorph

cinema technology - march 2008page 58

home cinema

home cinema


book review



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Supply, installation and

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Autorised UK THX representative.

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EXPERIENCED HELPFUL FRIENDLY STAFF GIVE ADVICE ON:

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Stock is held of most catalogue items

Roe Computer SystemsTaPoS TICKETING AND POINT OF SALE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY including:

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Industrias Josper, S.L. of Spain are proud to announce that Cinestructures have been appointed as their agents in the U.K. & Ireland.For competitive pricing and friendly service for supply and installation of: • New cinema, conference and theatre seating • Home cinema seating • Auditorium seating • Custom designed cinema seating

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[email protected] Josper, S.L. of Spain are proud to announce that Cinestructures have been appointed as their agents in the U.K. & Ireland.For competitive pricing and friendly service for supply and installation of: • New cinema, conference and theatre seating • Home cinema seating • Auditorium seating • Seating for schools and universities • Custom designed cinema seating • Finance available (subject to status)

Contact: Bill Chew +44 (0) 7882 909540 Alan Kay +44 (0) 7810 480126

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SPARE PARTSAV Kinoton Cyan upgrades great pricing/service

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RENTAL AND EVENTSOutdoors indoors Film Video Inflatable screens

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Cinema Technology Magazine Anamorphics Projection Vintage