Large Format/"Premium" Theaters (IMAX 15/70, Digital IMAX, XD, ETX, RPX, etc.)

[fontcow]

Originally Posted by singhcr

I went to go see Dunkirk again as it was the last day it would be at my 15/70 IMAX theater. Unfortunately the person I talked to did not tell me that the last few weeks of the movie would be shown digitally (2K projection, ugh) so I was disappointed to miss out on seeing the print again. I got a refund and was about to head home. However, it was far from a wasted trip because I got to see the projection booth instead!

This is the Great Clips IMAX at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, MN, USA.

Here is the projector itself.

[Show spoiler]


Supply and takeup platters. You play off one platter and it comes onto another platter heads out so one does not have to rewind between shows. All you have to do is re-thread.
2

These platters were used when dual-strip 3D 15/70 was a thing, but now they are for storage. The first set of platters shown was to the left of the projector and these are to the right of it.
3

The back of the dual 2K digital projectors. They are in front of the 15/70 projector and can be pushed to the left to allow the film projector to be used. These projectors are all mounted on rails for use or storage. You can see a splicing table in the corner and the rails for projector storage underneath it.
4

Amplifiers for the sound system. This thing rocks. Very impressive sound. Note the "F" and "D" switch for film or digital projection.
5

Wonder Woman was playing digitally in 3D as we were in the booth. With the sound proofing you couldn't hear anything from the auditorium.
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As I was about to leave I saw something odd tucked in the corner- the old magnetic audio tape sound system. Mag stripes were printed onto 35mm film and interlocked (synched) with the 15/70 film. I never got a chance to hear this in action but I bet it was amazing.

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Strangely it looks like 16mm mag stripe film could be used, as was an option for 25 FPS playback. That's news to me.

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There were two huge reels of film leaned up against the back wall. It was on a platter so there's no damage to the print itself.

10

What do we have here? It's the 15/70 Rogue One print I saw last winter!

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On the way out the manager asked if I wanted to take one of the film cans they had lying around. Each can only holds a few minutes of film so there were quite a few. Naturally, I said yes.

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This is the film used to make the theatrical prints according to the data sheet so it makes sense that it arrived in the theater in them. I'm not sure if this was one of the actual Dunkirk cans.

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Looks like the prints came from CFI in Hollywood as I saw this bag inside the can.

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I hope you found this as fun as I did! Those IMAX projectors are fascinating pieces of machinery.

That is so cool! I've always dreamed of getting a tour of the projection booth at a 15/70 IMAX.

Here's a video to supplement your tour that shows how they prepare an IMAX 70mm platter along with using a forklift as you mentioned. I can't believe how many rollers the film runs through! Also, this shows how the take up platter spools the film so they feed it out of the middle and thus do not have to "rewind".

Before You See DUNKIRK: How To Play A Giant 70mm IMAX Film - YouTube

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Are you kidding?? I'm literally in awe of you right now.

I suppose such a statement is impossible, is it not?

Tell you what. If you ever come down to MN I am sure I can get you a tour.

[Geoff D]

Impossible? No sir. I wanna paint myself green to indicate how jealous I am. And to also pretend to be the Hulk. But jealousy first!

[singhcr]

Thanks for the video! I am familiar with the basics of film threading as I have a 16mm projector at home so it is particularly fun to watch this as everything is most definately on steroids. I don't need a dang forklift to pick up my prints! Sheesh!

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Impossible? No sir. I wanna paint myself green to indicate how jealous I am. And to also pretend to be the Hulk. But jealousy first!

Priorities!

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

Come on. At its very core, Inhumass is a TV show first. I mean... you seriously think airing a pilot in a movie exhibition for about a month would be a good idea?

It is coming out in IMAX next week. Unless there's some contractual obligation the IMAX screens are going to drop Inhumans like a hot potato. That is also very heavy. And slippery.

EDIT: Huh! Maybe not. Barbara Muschietti has deleted the post where she announced it and it's not listed on IMAX's website.

[xbs2034]

I think Inhumans is a great case of showing how people pay too much attention to tech specs, and not the artists' use of the technology. It was shot in 6.5k IMAX, and has an 4K DI and DCP, specs that most big Hollywood movies couldn't match, but then it doesn't have the time, money, and talent behind the camera of Hollywood movies.

And actually I found the first sequence on location in the jungle stunning with that native IMAX look (looked pretty close to Dunkirk quality also in IMAX laser, and no doubt was chosen for the first impression), but that after only some on-location establishing shots impressed. There was a clearly a ton of detail in the image with even fine details on actor's skin visible, but if anything the blandness of the sets and costumes stood out then (reminds of how while I'm glad they do some limited releases of FL films in IMAX, in movies like Wolf Warrior 2 and Stalingrad the lessor budget/quality of the CGI was very apparent in IMAX).

[UFAlien]

According to the director (whose previous career consists almost entirely of direct-to-video action movie sequels), they only had two weeks to shoot the entire two-episode pilot. So it's no surprise it looks pretty blah.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by singhcr

Priorities!

Hulk like priorities.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

It is coming out in IMAX next week. Unless there's some contractual obligation the IMAX screens are going to drop Inhumans like a hot potato. That is also very heavy. And slippery.

EDIT: Huh! Maybe not. Barbara Muschietti has deleted the post where she announced it and it's not listed on IMAX's website.

When I went to Inhumans last night, they had the It poster right there in the IMAX coming soon display on the IMAX floor. Could always be an error, but I'm pretty sure they will start It in IMAX either next week or the 15th, and are just waiting for Inhumans' box office numbers to come in before making it official (they don't want to appear to have already abandoned it this early, particularly considering its an IMAX Entertainment co-production/release, but wouldn't be surprised if It in IMAX starts popping up on Tuesday or Wednesday once theaters begin finalizing their showtimes for the weekend).

[ITDEFX101]

I wonder if I should use my last IMAX pass and go to Udvar and just give the show another shot? My pass expires mid september, and nothing else is coming before then :\

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

I wonder if I should use my last IMAX pass and go to Udvar and just give the show another shot? My pass expires mid september, and nothing else is coming before then :\

If you didn't like it, I'd at least say to wait till next weekend. Then you can see if they put It in IMAX instead and worst case, go to Inhumans again then (though at a museum, they may skip It anyway as I know some have no R rated movie policies)

[ITDEFX101]

Speaking of IMAX.... the IMAX at Regal Manassas has this weird cracking distortion issue with the rear right speaker during the presentation of Inhumans. I notified management about it and they ended up giving me a IMAX pass for it :\ I think Dunkirk might have damaged their speaker lol

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

If you didn't like it, I'd at least say to wait till next weekend. Then you can see if they put It in IMAX instead and worst case, go to Inhumans again then (though at a museum, they may skip It anyway as I know some have no R rated movie policies)

I don't think anything is coming out next week in IMAX.... I could try for Kingsmen 2, but I don't know how far in advance Udvar sells their tickets.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

According to the director (whose previous career consists almost entirely of direct-to-video action movie sequels), they only had two weeks to shoot the entire two-episode pilot. So it's no surprise it looks pretty blah.

Inhumass looked like a recipe for a disaster from the very beginning. Crappy director, meh cast (save for Ramsay Bolton), short scheduling time, bland as hell set and costume design.

You can use an IMAX camera to film a turd, but all you get is a really good looking turd shown on the biggest possible screen.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

Inhumass looked like a recipe for a disaster from the very beginning. Crappy director, meh cast (save for Ramsay Bolton), short scheduling time, bland as hell set and costume design.

You can use an IMAX camera to film a turd, but all you get is a really good looking turd shown on the biggest possible screen.

What I don't get is why you're going to pay to see something that I'm sure that will be shown again before the season starts?

I avoid these comic book TV shows for good reason as they're just as generic and tired as the movies.

[ITDEFX101]

So we are all in agreement.... it was a waste to film this in IMAX? After Dunkirk you would expect something better to be playing in an IMAX theater......but nope.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I avoid these comic book TV shows for good reason as they're just as generic and tired as the movies.

[Steve Trevor] yeah, they're not for everyone [/Steve Trevor]

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

What I don't get is why you're going to pay to see something that I'm sure that will be shown again before the season starts?

Because some people are impatient and companies want...

[Poya]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

Because some people are impatient and companies want...

They should all be replaced with Iger's head.