Category: Digital Projection

Watching Casablanca, Digitally Projected, at a Big Multiplex

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 6 Comments

Last night, Turner Classic Movies and Fathom--a company that distributes high-definition operas and stage plays to movie theaters--presented Casablanca in 485 theaters--mostly or entirely big multiplexes--across the USA. Needless to say, the movie was digitally projected. The event was tied to Casablanca's 70th anniversary. In fact, the show was officially titled Turner Classic Movies Presents … Continue reading Watching Casablanca, Digitally Projected, at a Big Multiplex

The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 3: Preservation

~ Lincoln Spector

In my first two pieces on the conversion to digital projection, I covered what the conversion would do to theaters and how it would likely effect small distributors and classic film presentation. In this final installment, I discuss the scariest part of all: Will studios and archives be able to preserve their motion pictures in … Continue reading The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 3: Preservation

The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 2: Distribution

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

As the theatrical film industry moves to digital projection, will we still be able to watch independent films and classic movies on the big screen? Last week I covered one major issue: How will small, independent theaters finance expensive new projectors and the servers required to run them? This week I'm covering the other side … Continue reading The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 2: Distribution

The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 1: The Theaters

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 2 Comments

Esthetically speaking, I see no problem with digital projection. Under the best of conditions, 2K DCP projection looks better than 35mm film--and 4K looks better than 2K. An incompetent projectionist can ruin a digital presentation, of course, but with film, they can ruin the presentation and the print. As transitions go, digital hardly changes the … Continue reading The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 1: The Theaters

Great Projection Saturday, Part 1: D- Box, Sony 4K, and Super 8

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 2 Comments

I had a great movie-going day yesterday. Two great movies, both expertly presented in their best available format. I started the morning at the Camera 7 Pruneyard, south of San Jose, for a special press screening of Super 8 (I’ve just added Camera Cinemas to Bayflicks’ list of theaters). Theater manager Alejandro Adams organized the … Continue reading Great Projection Saturday, Part 1: D- Box, Sony 4K, and Super 8

Cave of Not-Forgotten Digital Projection

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 3 Comments

Last night, Cave of Forgotten Dreams became the first film I’ve seen digitally projected in two different theaters. The experience taught me something important: The difference between people who love digital projection and people who hate it may be the difference between the theaters they patronize. That the film was in 3D both times accentuated … Continue reading Cave of Not-Forgotten Digital Projection

Digital Projection & Classic Movies

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 2 Comments

Twice this month I saw, projected digitally, an older, arguably classic film, originally intended to be screened in 35mm. One was a major disappointment—technically, at least. The other was perfectly acceptable. Both films were new “director’s cut” versions. I’m guessing that the owners of these films chose not to spend money on a 35mm print, … Continue reading Digital Projection & Classic Movies