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

[ITDEFX101]

When I saw the frame break effect in 3d in a non-imax theater (RPX, regular wide) I thought it was pretty impressive. A lot of wide screen theaters are still projecting their movies in letterbox format. Just looks weird.

[ITDEFX101]

I saw Into Darkness at AMC Digital Imax, RPX, and 2k. AMC Digital IMAX didn't go full.

What a way to confuse general movie goers huh? You think you are going to see a movie filmed in 15/70 IMAX when it actually isn't. *sigh*.

I was so planning on seeing Rogue One at that theater for the IMAX scenes and the eventual Infinity Wars...but now it just doesn't seem as amazing as it should be.

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Star Trek Beyond was a constant height 2.40:1 image thus on a 4:3 screen there will be black borders above and below the image. Star Trek Into Darkness did have scenes that were full screen, on a 4:3 screen there was even more vertical image than its IMAX-digital counterpart which at full screen is only 1.90 - capisce??

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

When I saw the frame break effect in 3d in a non-imax theater (RPX, regular wide) I thought it was pretty impressive. A lot of wide screen theaters are still projecting their movies in letterbox format. Just looks weird.

That's because many premium screens are fixed 1.90 screens that don't do either vertical or horizontal masking - thankfully my favorite screen (Arclight Bethesda screen #6) does change depending on the AR of a movie

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

I saw Into Darkness at AMC Digital Imax, RPX, and 2k. AMC Digital IMAX didn't go full.

What a way to confuse general movie goers huh? You think you are going to see a movie filmed in 15/70 IMAX when it actually isn't. *sigh*.

I was so planning on seeing Rogue One at that theater for the IMAX scenes and the eventual Infinity Wars...but now it just doesn't seem as amazing as it should be.

Wait ... I thought ALL IMAX presentations of "Into Darkness" did the alternating full screen/2.40 framing (?)

Be lucky that the director and DP decided not to frame "Rogue One" in its originally intended 2.76 framing, the black borders on a 4:3 IMAX screen would have been annoying. "Infinity Wars" is being shot with ARRI Alexa 65 cameras so on a 1.90 screen it will be full screen

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

don't knock it til you see it. The new IMAX-laser system currently getting installed at Lincoln Square retains the original screen dimensions and the projector can implement the whole 4:3 image of IMAX features that are shot that way, not 1.78 that standard IMAX digital screens are set at.

Lincoln Square 13 - IMAX-laser conversion

I'll still watch IMAX presentations there. Their setup looks to still be the best IMAX screen in the city. I just can't help doubt the quality will be as good before.

I hope to be proven wrong.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by saprano

I'll still watch IMAX presentations there. Their setup looks to still be the best IMAX screen in the city. I just can't help doubt the quality will be as good before.

I hope to be proven wrong.

The new system is supposed to debut with tonight/tomorrow opening of "Fantastic Beasts" but there appears to be a delay of sorts

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Wait ... I thought ALL IMAX presentations of "Into Darkness" did the alternating full screen/2.40 framing (?)

Be lucky that the director and DP decided not to frame "Rogue One" in its originally intended 2.76 framing, the black borders on a 4:3 IMAX screen would have been annoying. "Infinity Wars" is being shot with ARRI Alexa 65 cameras so on a 1.90 screen it will be full screen

The UP70 lenses may have captured that (though I still think ARRI may have provided a 2.40 anamorphic sensor mode for the A65) but if they were always going to frame it up for a 2.40 extraction then you can't really call the 2.76 the "original intended framing".

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

The UP70 lenses may have captured that (though I still think ARRI may have provided a 2.40 anamorphic sensor mode for the A65) but if they were always going to frame it up for a 2.40 extraction then you can't really call the 2.76 the "original intended framing".

'Original' as in projection not 'filmed' / digital capture

[Geoff D]

Not sure I understand. Either way I don't think it was ever "intended" for 2.76 exhibition. I hope they cover this in the eventual AC article, provided it gets one.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Not sure I understand. Either way I don't think it was ever "intended" for 2.76 exhibition. I hope they cover this in the eventual AC article, provided it gets one.

there were quite a few online stories regarding the intent to film 'Rogue One' in ultra-wide:

http://www.slashfilm.com/rogue-one-70mm/

http://www.indiewire.com/2015/08/rog...ion-70-260410/

http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/s...en-experience/

etc., etc.

time will tell, if Episode 9 will stay on course and actual film in 70mm as planned.

AC dedicating a full magazine story to 'The Force Awakens' was quite cool.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

I saw Into Darkness at AMC Digital Imax, RPX, and 2k. AMC Digital IMAX didn't go full.

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Wait ... I thought ALL IMAX presentations of "Into Darkness" did the alternating full screen/2.40 framing (?)

Yeah, seems like a memory recall issue because the AMC IMAX I saw it at definitely opened up, as well as the other LIEMAX local theater I attended.

[Dubstar]

I know we've talked about this in the past, but here's how IMAX framed for both IMAX-Digital and IMAX 4:3 screens and for the record most if not all IMAX laser screens are not 1.90 (thank God):

[Jonno2009]

So if i read the last few pages correctly Rogue One will have IMAX scenes? either filmed in or just remastered to open up? (like Doctor Strange recently)

Thanks

Want to know if i want to bother with 3D or not.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Jonno2009

So if i read the last few pages correctly Rogue One will have IMAX scenes? either filmed in or just remastered to open up? (like Doctor Strange recently)

Thanks

Want to know if i want to bother with 3D or not.

Someone else can chime in here and/or correct me, but I'm sure the IMAX release will be constant height 2.40

Regardless of the aspect ratio, I'll always enjoy watching a 3D presentation (whether it's a conversion or natively shot as such)

[FAShaffi]

so far I haven't heard anything about "Rogue One" having any IMAX scenes, like Dubstar said, it will most likely be 2.40 the entire time

[ITDEFX101]

argh the way the effects team did the Enterprise shots kinda bothered me. I know they purposely had things off center and the camera delaying in tracking the ship. The time to admire the detail of the ship was lost in the process. I dunno, seeing a landscape open up in full frame imax is just breathtaking as it makes you feel like you are right there vs. seeing it letterboxed.

Anyways you guys could be right about being presented in open frame for digital imax. There is no way in hell to prove if a theater is improperly projecting a movie on their screen unless the whole thing is off center, then you can complain. To even try to capture a frame or video of the screen to see if it goes full frame is of course against the law, so we can't record the screen , take amc/regal/IMAX to court and say hey you guys are ripping us off because the proof has been acquired illegally.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

argh the way the effects team did the Enterprise shots kinda bothered me. I know they purposely had things off center and the camera delaying in tracking the ship. The time to admire the detail of the ship was lost in the process. I dunno, seeing a landscape open up in full frame imax is just breathtaking as it makes you feel like you are right there vs. seeing it letterboxed.

Anyways you guys could be right about being presented in open frame for digital imax. There is no way in hell to prove if a theater is improperly projecting a movie on their screen unless the whole thing is off center, then you can complain. To even try to capture a frame or video of the screen to see if it goes full frame is of course against the law, so we can't record the screen , take amc/regal/IMAX to court and say hey you guys are ripping us off because the proof has been acquired illegally.

Hence why most premium screens are 1.90 to avoid "off center" problems, if it's cropped it's due to the throw of the projectors image in relationship to the screen. I remember reading that theaters that featured vertical masking were having a field day and multiple problems with "Jurassic World's" 2.00:1 aspect ratio

[BozQ]

Rogue One is shot with the ARRI Alexa 65 with Ultra Panavision 70 Lens, but presented in 2.4 AR.

Although it's the same camera used for 2D digital IMAX camera in Civil War, Doctor Strange and among others, Rogue One isn't promoted as an IMAX presentation.

Artistically, the DP must have a very good reason for shooting in this manner. A large sensor format with anamorphic lens can give a grand sense of scale otherwise that's not achievable with standard 35mm film. So watching this in any IMAX format should offer a unique experience.

[BozQ]

On another note, I am very surprised Michael Bay is shooting Transformers: The Last Knight with two Alexa 65 cameras. This effectively should exceed the quality of the Phantom 65 but a huge margin.

That said, I wonder what happened to the Phantom 65. Did IMAX retired that camera?

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by BozQ

Rogue One is shot with the ARRI Alexa 65 with Ultra Panavision 70 Lens, but presented in 2.4 AR.

Although it's the same camera used for 2D digital IMAX camera in Civil War, Doctor Strange and among others, Rogue One isn't promoted as an IMAX presentation.

Artistically, the DP must have a very good reason for shooting in this manner. A large sensor format with anamorphic lens can give a grand sense of scale otherwise that's not achievable with standard 35mm film. So watching this in any IMAX format should offer a unique experience.

Doctor Strange wasn't promoted as "shot in IMAX" either, as the IMAX Alexa cameras apparently have a software update specifically focused around IMAX color grading and workflow. Which is why Civil War and Sully got that status (with The Last Knight and Inhumans pilot soon to join them).