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The Latest Cinema and Exhibition Industry News for 10-01-2012

Hello All,

I hope that you are all well. Please find below the news headlines for this week. I was sent an interesting film this week, entitled: The Death of the Cinema Projectionist, which I think is worth having a look at: http://www.userfarm.com/video/35973/The+Death+of+the+Cinema+Projectionist it features members of the BKSTS CTC Projection Team of the Year 2011.

Also Mark Kermode, Film Reviewer, was present at the BKSTS CTC Christmas Party and Awards and dedicated one of his blog posts to it all: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2012/01/projection_party.html

And so onto the news, available as always from: http://www.madcornishprojectionist.co.uk/todays_news.php:

2012-01-10
Lotte Considering Adding Cinema to Its Interests Here - Lotte Cinema may have expressed interest opening up theaters in 100 locations across Indonesia, but the South Korean operator still has a long way to go before realizing that, officials said on Tuesday.
Source: Jakarta Globe - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
'Headhunters' Helps Norwegian Cinema to Record Results In 2011 - Attendance tops 11.6 million, with one ticket in four for a local film.
Source: Hollywood Reporter - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Iconic Old Town Theater in Alexandria closes its doors - There will be one less place to cozy up and catch a movie as a landmark theater prepares to close forever. This is the final weekend for the Old Town Theater on King Street in Alexandria, which shows its last movie Sunday evening.
Source: WTOP - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Meet The World's Smallest Solar-Powered Cinema - Meet The World's Smallest Solar-Powered Cinema
Source: Huffington Post - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Birks cinema project gets £100,000 from Scottish Hydro - A campaign to restore a Perthshire cinema has received a £100,000 cash boost from Scottish Hydro.
Source: BBC News - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
2011 Domestic Box Office Up For Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas - Bucking the national industry 3.4% drop in domestic box office, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas announced today that their domestic box office sales increased for 2011, up 2.6% over 2010 sales. The figure encompasses all locations in the circuit that have been open since January 2010. Total net sales, including figures from the cinema eatery's food & beverage sales, were up 4.8% since 2010.
Source: Sacbee - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Serbia Passes New Cinema Law - Serbia has become the latest European country to join the tax rebate club, with local parliament passing a new cinema law it's hoped will attract more international shoots to the territory.
Source: Hollywood Reporter - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Why not be part of the big cinema clean up? - IF you fancy helping to tidy up an old cinema before its grand public re-opening then step right up. The Regal Cinema, Evesham, is opening its doors for the first time since its closure in 2003.
Source: Worcester News - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Questor share tip: Cineworld looks to blockbusters for silver-screen lining - The end of the Harry Potter gravy train in the last quarter of 2011 does not mean this year will be bad for cinema attendance. In fact, this year's release schedule looks almost magical compared with last year.
Source: Telegraph - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Cinemais ups digital rollout with AAM - AAM and Cinevise push digital cinema rollout in Latin America, Cinemais signs first deal
Source: Screen Daily - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
GDC Technology Achieves DCI Compliance for its SA-2100 and SX-2001 Family of Digital Cinema Servers - ;GDC Technology (“GDC Tech”), a world leading digital cinema solution provider, is pleased to announce today that it has achieved DCI compliance for its SA-2100 and SX-2001 family of digital cinema servers.
Source: D cinema Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Movie theatres go digital or go bust - Daniel Demois knows all too well the independent movie theatre he manages in Toronto is an endangered species.
Source: Toronto (Blog) - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Cineworld plans chain of luxury cinemas - The boss of Cineworld, the listed movie group, is scour-ing the capital for sites to launch a string of upmarket, adults-only cinemas.
Source: This Is London - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Barco and D3D Cinema Partner to Showcase Industry-First, Premium Screen Technologies at Moody Gardens Digital Cinema Symposium - Barco, world record holder for the brightest digital cinema projector, is teaming with museum cinema integration pioneer D3D Cinema to showcase an unprecedented array of
Source: D Cinema Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
French cinema admissions hit 45-year, 215 million high in 2011 - Preliminary figures from France’s National Cinema Centre reveal 4.2% rise in cinema attendance in 2011.
Source: Screen Daily - Editor: VM

2012-01-10
Saudi Arabia may open cinemas in country - The ultra-conservative Gulf kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking at opening cinemas across the country if the government gives the final go ahead, the ministry of culture said on Thursday.
Source: bikyamasr - Editor: VM

Regards

Peter J. Knight
http://www.madcornishprojectionist.co.uk/todays_news.php

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The Latest Cinema and Exhibition Industry News for 03-01-2012

Hello all,

First of all, happy new year to you. Please find below this weeks news headlines, available at: http://www.madcornishprojectionist.co.uk/todays_news.php.

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COMPETITION: There are still a couple of days left to enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to Nicholas Wright’s new play is a funny and fascinating tribute to the Eastern European immigrants who became major players in Hollywood’s golden age. More information at: nationaltheatre.org.uk/travellinglight. To enter email….competition@madcornishprojectionist.co.uk with your name and contact telephone number
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2011 News Review is now available at: http://www.madcornishprojectionist.co.uk/2011review.php

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2012-01-03
Mark Kermode Blogs on the Projectionist - Mark Kermode attended the BKSTS CTC Christmas Party in December 2011 and helped to present the awards. He used the awards as one of the theme of his blogs:


Source: BBC.co.uk - Editor: PK

2012-01-03
UFO Moviez eyes 100 more cinemas in Gujarat by next fiscal - Having already ramped up its digital cinema network to 195 theatres in Gujarat by December 2011, UFO Moviez India Ltd, is planning to add another 100 cinemas to its kitty in the state by next fiscal.
Source: Business Standard - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Edinburgh gets first IMAX screen - Cineworld Fountain Park to launch IMAX cinema with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Source: List - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
St Neots' £8m cinema and theatre given go-ahead - St Neots is to have its own cinema after years of campaigning by its town council and residents.
Source: BBC News - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
L.A.'s art house theaters squeezed by growing competition - Veteran independent cinemas are losing customers to major chains booking more specialty films and new high-end theaters offering a mix of movies along with premium services.
Source: LA Times - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Village Cinemas enters Romanian market with 2012 Iasi opening - International cinema chain Village Cinemas is set to open its first Romanian multiplex in Iasi
Source: Romania Insider - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Digital Cinema Destinations Corp. Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering - WESTFIELD, NJ, Dec 21, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Digital Cinema Destinations Corp. (Digiplex) today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to the proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock.
Source: Market Watch - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Trak to take over Chelsea Cinema - Trak Cinemas has won the new lease from Burnside Council to operate the Chelsea Cinema.
Source: ABC News - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Monroe movie house among first to go digital - Phoenix Theatres has completed the installation of digital projection and sound technology at its eight movie screens at the Mall of Monroe and 10 others it operates at Laurel Park Place in Livonia, a move that should boost viewing quality.
Source: Monroe News - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Paris cinemas protest at the degradation of culture - Two of the best-known independent cinemas in Paris have ìabolished Christmasî to protest against the monopolisation of popular art films by the big, French cinema chains.
Source: Independent - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Bolton town centre to get community cinema - A COMMUNITY cinema will open in Bolton town centre in the New Year in a fresh move to revitalise the town centre.
Source: This Is Lancashire - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
XDC Group, Digital Cinema Ltd and Digital Finance Ltd Become Partners for Digital Roll in Ireland - XDC Group and DFL have reached an agreement to allow XDC to provide significant funding of the digital roll-out in Ireland. Existing DFL VPF agreements with Irish exhibitors will be transferred to XDC. Already deployed digital systems will be acquired by XDC and managed under their VPF agreement with the Studios.
Source: D Cinema Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
XDC/FTT To Reorganise European Sales - In the wake of the expansion of the group, XDC/FTT will be resetting the course for its European sales activities at the beginning of next year.
Source: D Cinema Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Thanks for the memories: It's the end of an era as 35mm film declines - Almost since it was patented in 1889 by George Eastman, when Queen Victoria was on the English throne, the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in Paris, and The Coca-Cola Company was incorporated in Atlanta, celluloid 35mm has been the format of choice for the film industry. It has fought off all comers to its pre-eminence until now, as the digital revolution that has affected all aspects of our lives finally turns its attention to the cinema.
Source: Film Journal International - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Coast cinema wins right to serve booze - ONE of the Gold Coast's biggest cinemas has been granted permission to serve alcohol to patrons despite concerns from authorities it may make it easier for minors to access.
Source: Gold Coast - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
SEEDArts to revive Columbia City Cinema - SEEDArts, Southeast Seattleís largest nonprofit arts organization, has announced plans to revive Columbia City Cinema.
Source: Rainier Valley Komo - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Newport's Odeon Cinema gets revamp cash - ONE of Newport's most iconic buildings is set to get a facelift thanks to a £180,000 council grant.
Source: South Wales Argus - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Barco Digital Cinema Projectors Selected for Brand-New Cineplex in Singapore - Barco, a technology leader in the Digital Cinema industry, is proud to announce that Golden Village Multiplex Pte Ltd., Singapore's leading cinema exhibitor, will equip its new multiplex, Golden Village Katong, with Barco's projector technology. Golden Village Katong is a fully digital cinema multiplex comprising eight auditoriums.
Source: D Cinema Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
City to run Granite City Cinema starting New Year's Day - Granite City will take over the management of the Granite City Cinema on New Year's Day.
Source: STL Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Italy's Movie Attendance Falls 13% During Christmas Weekend - Box office receipts totaled $24.1 million compared to $27.6 million last year with this year's ticket sales plummeting more than 15 percent.
Source: Hollywood Reporter - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
Dolby Achieves DCI Compliance for Dolby Screen Server - Software Upgradable Servers Ensure Smooth Transition for Customers
Source: D Cinema Today - Editor: VM

2012-01-03
98-year-old Cumbrian cinema saved from closure - One of Cumbriaís oldest cinemas has been saved from closure after its manager took over the business.
Source: News And Star - Editor: VM
http://www.madcornishprojectionist.co.uk/todays_news.php

Regards

Peter J. Knight

2011 News Review

by Peter J. Knight

So it is the end of another year, and it has certainly been a year which has been dominated by the conversion from film to digital. Many of the circuits have made their projection staff redundant, believing that they are no longer required in this new world. We have seen two big competitors of the 35mm world, beginning to work a bit more closely as the requirement for their product is reduced - namely Deluxe and Technicolor sharing their film processing facilities. In fact in December Technicolor announced plans to shutdown many of its plans in Europe. Also in December it was announced that the 50% conversion tipping point had been reached across the world.

Along with Digital, 3D has remained in the news - often with complaints about the price, safety concerns or just the experience.

Probably one of the main technological highlights was the demonstration and general industry noise around higher framerates, which the digital technology allows for. There were several demonstrations and announcements around its use over the year. The other technological announcement of the year was that of lazer projection.

And of course all the digital related companies such as Sony, Barco, Christie, NEC, TI, RealD and the rest were all making announcements around new contracts they had won, which film festival or prestigious event they had been selected to be involved with, or what percentage of the market they now accounted for. With Vue Cinemas deciding to go exclusively with Sony Projectors the UK market share of digital projectors moved heavily in their direction.

But of course Sony Projectors were not without their share of bad publicly during the year, when a US newspaper story revealed that because it took 20 minutes to change the lens from 2D to 3D films and back again that often this wasn’t happening in the cinemas and as a result many 2D films were being shown through the 3D lens meaning that a large amount of light was being lost. This story spread rapidly across the Internet and via various blogs within days.

In some good news, with the Harry Potter films coming to an end, Warner Brothers announced in January that they were opening a major studio facility at Leavesden, England which was also going to include a Harry Potter tour where visitors could walk around the sets from the film franchise. This was going to open in 2012.

And of course there was the usual collection of stories about cinemas which were opening or closing, or still closed and empty. This included a number of former Odeon cinemas, a new cinema in Newquay, Cornwall and the taking over of six cinemas owned by Reel Cinemas by Odeon Cinemas, including the Loughborough cinema. IMAX cinemas also saw an increase in the number of screens it opened within other cinema venues throughout the year, with more planned during 2012.

One of the big things which I noticed over the year was the increased number of pop up cinema and mobile/outdoor events which had started to happen, largely due to the change in the technology and how easy it was to operate. There were large events such as those put on by the Nomad Cinema, a company setup by the Lexi Cinema. What was interesting about Nomad was that apart from just doing the summer screenings, they also took over an empty shop in central London in order to put on screenings over the Christmas period. Many of the films being shown being linked to a theme. Secret Cinemas continued to do well as well. But there was also smaller ‘Pop Up’ cinemas which appeared, such as Films on Fridges in East London, which existed for just a few weeks in the summer before disappearing. Certainly where once there were only a few cinema events being listed by Time Out in the summer, this list is now growing to an ever growing number, and the number of mobile and outdoor cinemas which are being discovered on the Internet each day is growing.

2011 was also the year that the controversial UK Film Council was disbanded and many of its duties were merged into the BFI

Of course the retirement of a projectionist in Bridgewater after 67 years lead to a number of stories and highlighted the world of the projectionist. Later on the year Mark Kermode’s book “The Good, The Bad & the Multiplex” was published which amongst other things supported the work and plight of the projectionist. Anyone who saw the “King’s Speech” earlier in the year, would have seen a brief view of a BTH projector, which was provided to the film company by the Projected Picture Trust in Bletchley Park.

And so the end of the year reaches us. I think 2012 will see many of the same themes as this year, with the completion of the Digital switchover. We will of course see the impact of the Olympics on cinema admissions, along with the continued financial situation.

You can view all of this year’s published stories at: http://www.madcornishprojectionist.co.uk/news2011.php

Wishing you a Happy New Year and keep viewing.......

2011 News Review is now available at: http://ping.fm/X6WyB