Back To The Theatre Of The Future

During this monthís 25th anniversary of ShoWest, the motion picture exhibitors convention held in Las Vegas, the convention was abuzz contemplating the wondrous future that electronic cinema will bring to movie screens. Dan Taylor, President of the International Theatre Equipment Association (ITEA) was in agreement that change brought on by the advent of new digital technologies was evident. As reported by Boxoffice, Taylor expects that boxoffice reporting will be automatic with virtually no need for human intervention. Every screening will be as pristine as the first run with no print degradation. Projector jump and weave and uneven screen light will be a thing of the past. ""It all sounds so promising, and it will happen ñ eventually,"" says Taylor. ""What the industry needs to realize, though, is that the motion picture theatre of the future is here today in the way that counts the most to the audience: the highest-quality big-screen and big-sound presentation. With Sony, Dolby and DTS digital soundtracks on virtually all release prints, new film stocks that further enhance filmmakersí visions, and new projection technologies that are ever refining the presentation quality in theatres, boxoffice records were shattered again in 1998.""Taylor credits new light sources, lenses and other innovative projection and sound technologies as contributing greatly to enhancing picture presentation quality. Says Taylor, ""this is why an overnight change to electronic cinema is not likely to occur.""But Taylor acknowledges that ""the century-old stability of basic projection technology coupled with todayís innovations in projection automation has created a situation where too many exhibitors simply take it for granted. To be sure, new theatres are being equipped with the latest projectors, digital sound systems, lamphouses, lenses, film transport and automation systems, etc.,"" says Taylor, ""but once the theatre opens, not enough is being done to maintain presentation quality.""Maintenance, Taylor believes, is the key to consistently delivering the highest-quality big-screen and big-sound presentation. And while he believes exhibitors should keep an eye toward electronic cinema he is remindful that as with todayís equipment, it too will require maintenance to deliver its promise.