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CineExpo: The Third DegreeCineExpo: The Third Degree3-D, cinema exhibition’s killer application, goes global
By Alex Ben Block
June 19, 2009, 12:50 PM ET
There were naysayers, he recalls, who warned it was too soon to go all-digital. They argued theatrical trailers and some movies weren’t available in digital, which could cost them if a hot ticket came along that was available only on celluloid.
“It really was a good test to understand the staffing, training, the technical, how many films are available in digital, how many trailers can you get in digital and so on,” de Quervain says. “We had reported at last year’s (Cinema Expo International) that trailers …
In rapid succession during the past year, major movie distributors including Disney, Fox, Sony and Warner Bros. have begun making most trailers and movies available in digital …
So far, conversion of analog screens to digital in developed countries worldwide hasn’t happened as quickly…
As in the U.S., conversion to all digital presentation won’t occur until financing sources open, and that depends on the global credit crisis. …
The U.K., where booming boxoffice is up more than 16% for the first quarter, is a good example. …
That didn’t mean the end of all digital, though. “The focus in the recent past has been on installation of digital 3-D screens,” …
Disney alone, which will be showing “Up” in Amsterdam in 3-D, will offer 17 new 3-D movies during the next couple years,…
Exhibitors have taken notice. “Every multiplex in the U.K. will have a 3-D screen by Christmas,” …
Dowley notes digital eliminates the cost to ship the cans of celluloid, makes it easier to offer advertisers last-minute content …
It’s not just happening in the U.K. or Western Europe. Across developing Eastern Europe, Russia, India and China …
“We see 3-D worldwide grossing two and a half times the 2-D screens,” Disney’s Marcoly says. …
Imax CEO Richard Gelfond calls Europe “a key territory for us,” …
An Imax theater opened two years ago in Hong Kong is producing “excellent results,” …
“When we open a new movie, Imax is huge,” says Vallone, who worked for UA …
Vallone says 3-D is also very popular, with 80% of patrons choosing 3-D over 2-D for DreamWorks’ “Monsters vs. Aliens” when given a choice.
The boxoffice has remained strong in Hong Kong despite the credit crunch, …
Surprisingly, Vallone says the rampant piracy in Hong Kong seems to have cooled. …
It’s not enforcement which has turned it around, Vallone says. People got tired of being cheated by street vendors….
Globally the big concern has shifted to Internet piracy of movies, MPAA chairman and CEO Dan Glickman says….
The MPAA released the 2009 Priority Watch List of countries where piracy is a particular problem — …
Glickman notes that one additional benefit of 3-D is that it’s hard to pirate.
Glickman praises a bill supported by France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy, which is working its way toward …
Around the world movie ticket sales have held up surprisingly well in the face of the global economic downturn, …
“I think we’ve proven we’re recession resistant,” de Quervain says, “but I don’t think we’re recession proof. …
Links referenced within this article
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CineExpo honorees
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3id499f8aa1018de837d7fae5508d35e23
CineExpo events
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3id499f8aa1018de837100febc4a167ff1
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