With theaters going digital, are 35mm prints necessary?

C

Craig_Tarry

Active member
Hello, I’ve already read about major theater chains across the country going to digital projection and the passing of 35mm projection. In the past, a film’s budget had to include money for a transfer to a 35mm print.

To my understanding, the expense of a D.I. is mainly the scanning from 35mm to digital and back to a 35mm print after post, so shooting on a camera like RED should be a more direct post route and a 35mm film-out wouldn’t be needed anymore and that’s a money saver. Maybe I’m dreaming…

What do you guys think –
Thanks - Craig
 
Craig_Tarry said:
Hello, I’ve already read about major theater chains across the country going to digital projection and the passing of 35mm projection. In the past, a film’s budget had to include money for a transfer to a 35mm print.

To my understanding, the expense of a D.I. is mainly the scanning from 35mm to digital and back to a 35mm print after post, so shooting on a camera like RED should be a more direct post route and a 35mm film-out wouldn’t be needed anymore and that’s a money saver. Maybe I’m dreaming…

What do you guys think –
Thanks - Craig
Click to expand...

Until the 'world' has completely shifted over to digital, there will be a need for Film film output. However from quick check, 60% of the theaters in the US have switched over. The remaining theaters, depending, may close if they can not afford to switch over to digital.

Outside of the US, there will probably be Film film distribution for years to come, but Fuji has announced shutting down their movie film plant in 2013, leaving only the ailing Kodak as the last Mohican of Film film production, for either movie capture or distribution prints.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
There is a pretty good conversation going on about this in cinematography section. Does not focus on distribution as much as it does pro's and con's of actual projection, but it's worth a read:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?292354-from-35mm-to-dcp-how-do-they-rob-us-of-our-innocence
Click to expand...

I had thought perhaps that India would be a 'bastion' of Film film distribution... apparently not... one article I read had the digitization rate of about 50% of the country, and much higher for large cities with metroplexes.

The article also indicated the two companies that are trying to 'drive the change', are also selling advertisement time, and part of the 'upgrade' contract with the theater owner, is that the equipment providing company can use the system for placing ads. The jury seems to be out on whether this sort of ad campaign is effective... but it seems that the digitization companies are able to make a profit at the moment, despite paying out for the digital equipment...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top