Oct 2002
Meeting Review
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Oct 2002 Meeting Review |
Tour of Theatre D Digital
For our September meeting, the Toronto Section was treated to a tour of an exciting new Post Production facility for picture and sound editing, finishing, screening, and exhibition, THEATRE D DIGITAL.Steeped in history the old Regent Theatre on Mount Pleasant has served the community since 1928 and is now the home of Theatre D Digital. Our host John Hazen and his guest speakers discussed their involvement with Theatre D as well as the state of post production today and in the near future.
Guest Speakers:
John Hazen of THEATRE D DIGITAL - One of the owners and founders of Theatre D, John Hazen explained the story behind their facility: theatrical presentations and mixing in the same room offering 256 tracks of 24 bit audio at 48K to 96k sample rate with ProTools HD. The mixers and editors are all free lance. The real kicker is "direct suite to theatre previewing" meaning having the capability of previewing the editor's tracks-in-progress at any time right from their AVID station to the main theatre. However Theatre D stays true to it's roots and is an exhibitor by night. John also offered tours of the theatre during the break.
Brad Hohle of DOLBY LABORATORIES - A surprise last minute entry, Brad Hohle of Dolby Laboratories in NY treated the Toronto Section to a peak at some of the exciting new developments from Dolby. He also outlined some of the challenges facing today's exhibitor...single screen theatres are finding it very difficult to make money which explains the infusion of the multi-complexes in recent years. He discussed digital cinema and the integration with live via satellite. He outlined the five methods for distribution of 5:1: PCM, Dolby E, Dolby Digital, CP 650 and the latest Dolby EX which is 6:1. He also outlined a Dolby initiative for mixing music for 5:1. He warned us to future proof your projects. For more information see
John Hallman of CHRISTIE - John played us a clip from "Odyssey 5" to allow us to experience the full benefit of Theatre D's Christie projectors. It was stunning. John explained that Christie employs technology designed and built in Waterloo. The benefits of digital projection include: clean image because there are no scratches, low cost of distribution, greater creative control over the process. Some of the downside: currently there are only 116 sites and 128 cinemas in North America that employ this technology and it is very expensive for the theatres for upgrade to digital.
Kevin Parker and Craig Lue of STEVE'S DIGITAL - The gentlemen from Steve's Digital outlined their services and their commitment to post production David Greene of UNLIMITED PRODUCTIONS - Emmy award winning Music Producer David Greene outlined his philosophy for mixing music 5:1 for film. His secret is to remember that music is only one of many elements which come together in the telling of the story. Keep focus on the story and the screen. He said that downward compatibility is also important...your program must live in many environments.
Steven Barden of SOUND DOGS TORONTO - It's all about work flow and keeping it digital all of the time...that's the key according to Steve Barden of one of Toronto's top editorial teams. In the current system audio is "captured" as part of the production process but then the original location audio must be reloaded and reconformed later by a dialogue editor which is becoming increasingly difficult with today's shrinking schedules and budgets. The solution is to record it digitally at source via some of the exciting new products on the market such as: Nagra 5 and DIVA. With the help of MetaFlow, software created by Gallery Software in the UK, the audio relates directly to the picture cut in the AVID and the dia editor gets the full benefit of 24 bit location recording to Nagra 5.
Martin Pilchner of PILCHNER SCHOUSTAL INC - Issues: (1) Reverb Time - walls and positioning of assorbtive panels (variable density 3" panels) relative to the ear...ceiling panels to come. and (2) Isolation - replacing the old doors which were not designed for studio isolation. (3) Speaker System - this included replacing the theatre's old speaker system and relocating the power amps
For more information or a digital tour of Theatre D Digital please see their website at http://www.theatreD.com.
We would like to thank John Hazen for organizing the event and for allowing us into his wonderful facility. We would like to thank Brad Hohle of Dolby for making the trip from NY for the evening. We thank David Greene, Martin Pilchner, John Hallman, Steven Barden, and the gentlemen from Steve's Digital for their time and informative presentations. And the good folks at Steam Whistle and Theatre D for the post-meeting pizza and beer.
by Anne Reynolds, Committee Member
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