12 minute read
Christie demonstrates the CINITY system at CineAsia 2022
Up-to-date round-up of the global industry newS, views & events
CT NEWSREEL
The award-winning system delivers a premium cinema experience for guests.
Bangkok
CineAsia 2022 was held in Bangkok
Christie’s CINITY technology
CHRISTIE, a global leader in digital cinema presentation technologies, conducted demonstrations of the award-winning CINITY Cinema System at CineAsia 2022, which took place in Hall 8 of Icon Cineconic, True Icon Hall, Bangkok.
These special demonstrations served to showcase the full capabilities of the CINITY Cinema System – a creative blending of 4K, 3D, high brightness, high frame rate, high dynamic range, and wide color gamut display capabilities, all paired with immersive sound. It improves the overall sound quality, and yields clearer images, brighter colors, and smoother motion to greatly improve the quality of cinema screenings. Christie provides high performance digital projection technology and services to CINITY.
Brian Claypool, Executive Vice President, Cinema, Christie, said, “We are delighted to have been able to conduct demonstrations of CINITY at CineAsia to promote this innovative and exhilarating movie-going experience. This is an affirmation of our strong partnership with CINITY, as well as our commitment to develop state-of-the-art technologies which continue to push the boundaries of theatrical presentation unlike any other in the industry. CINITY can enhance the overall cinematic experience and immerse audiences into every detail of the presentation.”
London’s BFI IMAX Reopens Following Major Upgrade
London
Inside the iconic BFI IMAX
ON Friday 11 November, the iconic BFI IMAX cinema reopened its doors to film fans following an ambitious refurbishment to create a completely immersive cinema experience. Wide-ranging enhancements include a new 4K IMAX with laser projection system, booming 12-channel sound technology and a brand new 65 foot IMAX screen – still reigning supreme as the nation’s biggest – all combining to keep the iconic Waterloo destination a must for movie lovers. This follows the BFI resuming the day-today running and programming of the landmark venue in July 2022.
Since launching 23 years ago in 1999, BFI IMAX has become one of the most successful IMAX cinemas in the world, welcoming an average of 300,000 visitors each year and playing host to some of the world’s biggest film premieres including “Eternals”, “Mission Impossible: Fallout”, “Inception”, “The Batman” and “X-Men: Apocalypse”.
The cinema giant has also introduced IMAX with Laser, designed exclusively for IMAX screens. The impressive upgrade will offer audiences both a premium technical and first-class customer experience.
ICO Offers Front of House Workers Online Course
FRONT of house workers play a crucial role in welcoming audiences and representing their venue to the public. The Independent Cinema Office’s new Front of House Workers Online Learning Course (bit.ly/3ikMJnt) provides staff in customer-facing roles with essential training to help them feel confident and safe in their work, understand their rights and welcome all audience members.
Drawing on the experience of industry experts, and intended to be used alongside in-house training provided by venues, this online course covers topics such as why front of house work matters, how to deal with difficult customers, welcoming diverse and disabled audiences and much more. The course is available as an institutional licence for organisations, at a reduced cost to individuals, or free to job seekers.
Thailand’s Major Cineplex & India’s PVR Cinemas Invest in ARHT’s Live Hologram Technology
ARHT’s Capsule hologram technology
Vicha Poolvaraluk, CEO of Major Cineplex, Thailand
ARHT Media Inc. has announced that Thailand’s largest operator of movie theatres, Major Cineplex, has purchased ARHT’s Capsule hologram display technology in a move that is set to revolutionise the cinemagoing experience. Major Cineplex becomes the first cinema operator in the world to purchase the technology, with the announcement also marking the first sale of Capsule in the wider APAC region. This builds on the successful roll out of the hologram display system across North America and Europe throughout 2022. The announcement follows ARHT Media’s recent reporting of record Q3 revenues of $2.02M vs $1.05M in Q3 2021, an increase of 92%, showcasing the continued growth of the hologram technology sector.
In another agreement, ARHT has also announced the installation of 10 Capsule holographic displays at market leading Indian cinema operator, PVR’s movie theatres. The agreement is expected to result in four locations being installed in Q4, 2022, and six additional locations in Q1, 2023.
Capsule is a plug-and-play, fully interactive 4K display system, enabling the merging of the physical world with the metaverse like never before. The technology has attracted great interest across the cinema sector following its unveiling at CinemaCon Las Vegas in April 2022, and the purchase of Capsule will now enable Major Cineplex to deliver unique audience experiences, blending the real world and the metaverse in cinema and at special events. Audiences will be able to meet and greet life-sized 3D holograms in real time, enabling talent to be beamed live to the screen from anywhere in the world. The Capsule technology also provides fully interactive functionality including motion sensors, touch screen and two-way cameras, providing immersive ways to gamify the lobby experience.
Arts Alliance Media Announces Opening of AAM US Incorporated & 24/7 Customer Support
ARTS Alliance Media (AAM) announced the official opening of its United States-based subsidiary company, AAM US Incorporated (AAM Inc.), to support their ever-growing network of exhibitors and cinema integrators across the Americas.
The inception of AAM Inc. will facilitate comprehensive technical and commercial support to new and existing customers, and create a pathway to secure continued growth in the region, progressing AAM’s international expansion strategy.
In a linked move, AAM has confirmed that their international customer base will now receive 24/7 technical support to maintain effective, fault-free operations and complete peace of mind. Now serving exhibitors from three continents, after opening AAM US Incorporated, customers from around the globe can access round the clock support, receiving first-class customer service and knowledge from years of industry experience.
Arts Alliance Media has officially opened AAM US Incorporated
To Celebrate Release of “Empire of Light”, UKCA & Searchlight Pictures Team up for UK Cinema Heroes Competition
WE’RE looking for the unsung cinema heroes, those who have dedicated their careers to keeping the magic of the big screen alive for communities up and down the UK, including box office staff, cinema managers, projection staff or anyone who has helped keep the cinema flame alight. Anyone can nominate their own cinema hero - spread the word! The winner and two runners-up will be selected by a team of esteemed industry professionals from the UK Cinema Association, Searchlight Pictures and the “Empire of Light” filmmakers.
Full details to be found in the Searchlight Pictures’ Empire of Light Cinema Heroes Competition at https://www.cinemauk.org.uk/ searchlight-pictures-empire-of-light-cinema-heroes-promotionterms-and-conditions/
All entries should be submitted by 2pm on Monday 9th January. NEWS IN BRIEF
AAM Launches New Screenlighter Theatre Management System to Support Small and Independent Cinemas
Arts Alliance Media (AAM) has announced the launch of Screenlighter, a brand new theatre management system (TMS), designed exclusively for small and independent cinemas.
With fast operational speed, effective content management functionality, and a bright and effortless user interface, Screenlighter compacts the proficiency of Screenwriter, AAM’s flagship TMS, into a dashboard that solely meets the operational requirements of independent and one-to-four screen cinemas.
Available from 2023, Screenlighter will enable cinemas to evolve from manual operations to centrally managing their screens, content, and KDMs from one location, from playlist creation and on-screen content control, to reporting and real-time site monitoring.
Digima Srl and Unique X Announce Italian Reseller Partnership
UNIQUE X has announced a resale partnership with Digima Srl, the Italian cinema integrator.
Based in Piemonte, Digima Srl will offer Unique X’s RosettaBridge TMS, RosettaNet CMS and BaseKey KDM services to the Italian exhibitor market.
As a major deployment partner of Unique X, Digima has already completed the rollout and training of the Rosetta suite of products to one of Italy’s largest cinema chains. This provides Digima with considerable experience in not only installing RosettaBridge TMS but also providing local language training and configuration of the product within location.
Deployed with an Italian language interface, RosettaBridge TMS has developed integrations with Italian territory POS systems to create a fully automated operational workflow from schedule to screen.
Screening Room Map Celebrates 20th Anniversary
SCREENING Room Map - the guide to private hire venues by Pocket Films - is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Launched in London with a mission to create a resource dedicated to promoting industry screening rooms, Screening Room Map has helped to promote the concept of private hires and to raise awareness of under-the-radar screens. The guide has expanded to an annual mixedmedia guide encompassing web, print and social media.
The publisher, Tony Franks, commented, “The best part of the development was my time spent in Soho, knocking on doors and asking managers if they would like to be featured in the guide. I’ve met a great bunch of people through publishing it, all very supportive.”
The future of the guide includes a new pocket edition for early 2023, new digital off-shoots, growth in the NYC and Los Angeles versions and a new worldwide expansion.
Book The Cinema Partners With REEL Cinemas to Deliver Private Screenings across the UK
REEL Cinemas is now offering Unique X's Book The Cinema
UNIQUE X has announced REEL Cinemas as the newest exhibitor that will be offering Book The Cinema (BTC) to its UK customers. BTC is an online service that gives consumers the opportunity to book private cinema events, choosing from a huge selection of movies including the latest blockbusters and many of the greatest classics.
Perfect for a variety of events from birthday parties to corporate bookings, Book The Cinema also allows consumers to create a personalised message that will appear on the big screen before their movie starts. This message can include images and videos, or a written message created by the consumer. Customers can pre-order food and beverages for their private event on the platform.
Book The Cinema is from Unique X, and utilises their suite of cinema automation and content delivery solutions.
UK
Shenzhen Timewaying Co. Ltd and Arts Alliance Media Introduce World’s Largest LED Cinema Screen to Market
SHENZHEN Timewaying Co. Ltd and Arts Alliance Media have launched the new DCI-certified 20-metre 4K HeyLED cinema screen, becoming the world’s largest digital LED cinema screen on the market.
Presenting a giant leap in cinematic LED displays, the HeyLED 20m cinema screen combines pure colour, true black, and a high contrast ratio with patented high pixel fill rate technology to enable a visual experience never seen before in exhibition. With high brightness up to 300 nits, 30,000:1 contrast ratio, 16-bit grayscale, and DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, the HeyLED 20m screen is of the highest specification, stronger colour, realism, and depth.
While HDR ready, HeyLED technology uses an active ‘black screen’ instead of a passively reflected ‘white screen’, which is the basis of its high contrast.
By delivering immersive, neverseen-before images and creating a clear point of difference in the rapidly growing PLF segment, the commercial proposition for exhibitors is truly positive. HeyLED not only enables closer front row viewing via high pixel fill rate optics, but increased back row seating from the removal of the project room, meaning higher admissions per screening. The brand’s status as the world’s largest PLF will also attract a larger pool of movie-goers, dictating increased ticket pricing to generate amplified box office revenue.
As official resellers of the immersive HeyLED brand, AAM will deliver the new 20m screen to exhibitors across Asia, Europe, and all of the Americas, transforming the in-theatre consumer experience while expanding their product portfolio.
The new HeyLED screen is 20m
JBL Professional Introduces PRX900 Series
HARMAN Professional Solutions has introduced the JBL PRX900 Series of loudspeakers and subwoofers, which features advanced acoustics, comprehensive DSP, power performance and complete BLE control via the JBL Pro Connect app. The line, which includes three powered two-way loudspeakers and two powered subwoofers, is built from the ground up to leverage JBL’s most advanced acoustic innovations.
Christie Introduces CounterAct UR10 Upper Room Fixtures
Christie has launched the newest product in their UVC disinfection lineup. CounterAct UR10 commercial UVC disinfection products are the first to use both UVCLED and far-UVC light for enhanced airborne and surface disinfection. Upper room UVC-LED disinfects air as it circulates in the upper portion of the room, and Care222 light – the first farUVC technology with a patented optical filter to block potentially harmful wavelengths – continuously inactivates surface pathogens around people.
Graubünden Blue Cinema to Provide State-of-theart Entertainment in Switzerland
A state-of-the-art multiplex cinema with eight halls that can accommodate up to 400 visitors has been built in Chur, Graubünden, Switzerland, including an IMAX hall and a restaurant with a roof terrace. The major project celebrated its opening on October 27 this year. The original start of construction in 2018 had to be postponed by two years due to objections from residents, which even went as far as the Federal Supreme Court, but also due to COVID-19. In total, the costs for the large-scale project by the Swisscom subsidiary, Blue Cinema, amount to over 40 million Swiss francs.
Cinépolis Accelerates Move to Laser with Cinionic
CINIONIC, the leader in laserpowered cinema solutions, and Cinépolis, Mexico’s largest cinema company, have announced over 2,600 screens moving to laser projection. The deal brings laser projection by Cinionic to a significant portion of the global chain’s nearly 6,700 screens, delivering efficiency and up to 70% energy savings for Cinépolis - and an elevated viewing experience for their audiences.
The ambitious project brings laser projection to more of Cinépolis’ top locations following a rapid rollout to 1,300 screens with Cinionic earlier in 2022. The rollout, expected to continue later this year, will result in laser in more than 2,600 screens delivering an enhanced and laserpowered big-screen experience for millions of moviegoers for many years to come. Cinionic’s Latin America team is overseeing the extensive project.
The Totah Theater, New Mexico, has been fully renovated
Historic New Mexico Totah Theater Installs Severtson Screen
SEVERTSON Screens (severtsonscreens.com) has announced that integrator CES+ has installed a 28ft. x 15.2ft. Severtson Giant Electric projection screen as part of its recently completed renovation of the historic Totah Theater in Farmington, New Mexico.
“Our Giant Electric projection screen is the ideal choice for Totah’s auditorium since it can be lowered and retracted at the push of a button, opening up the stage space for other performances and opportunities when not in use,” said Aaron White, Home Theater & Pro AV sales lead at Severtson Corp.
As part of the renovation, CES+ also installed a laser projection Barco Series 4, Dolby IMS-3000 server with a CP950 sound processor and a 16-channel DMA16302 amplifier, and a JBL 7.1 passive audio system including speakers, surrounds, and subwoofers.
