 
Soundtrack Innovation
Studio Support
For Dye Track
LOS
ANGELES — Several major studio executives — all participating
in a Jan. 9 International
Theatre Equipment Association (ITEA) seminar in Los
Angeles — expressed strong support for the planned changeover
of 35mm analog soundtracks to the new non-silvered cyan dye format.
Some 55 percent of U.S. screens are already equipped with the “red
light analog readers” essential for playback of cyan dye tracks.
The seminar was organized to discuss how how the conversion of the
remaining screens could be expedited.
In opening remarks, session moderator Ioan Allen of Dolby Laboratories
noted that the cyan dye track offered benefits for the environment,
the laboratory and the theatre.
Alan Masson of Eastman Kodak subsequenly focused on the environmental
benefits of conversion to the dye soundtrack. “In one year,”
he said, “this would stop use of 1.25 million pounds of hazardous
chemicals, and save 20 million gallons of water. This would be enough
drinking water to support a community of 75,000 people.”
Disney rep Jeff Miller expressed support for the program, and spoke
of previous environmental efforts in which his company had been involved.
“As soon as the theatres have converted, Disney will issue 100
percent dye track analog releases,” he said. Miller encouraged
NATO and ITEA to maximize efforts in persuading the remaining screens
to convert, pointing out that hardware costs could be as little as
$500 per screen.
Panelists Bruce Markoe from MGM and Schawn Belston from Fox endorsed
the same position. Allen then read statements from Warner Bros. and
Miramax.
Warner Bros.’ statement indicated that the distributor would
progress to cyan as soon as enough theatres were equipped, and pointed
out that it was the first company to adopt the interim high-magenta
format.
The statement from Miramax confirmed its strong support for the program,
noting the distributor had already released two titles, “Get
Over It” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” with
a limited number of cyan dye-track prints. In both cases the prints
had played perfectly on red-light readers, with no problems in the
laboratory or in the theatre.
Miramax also said that its shipping cases would begin carrying fliers
announcing the forthcoming adoption of a 100-percent cyan release
program. The same statement indicated Miramax execs felt that the
program could be completed by the end of 2002.
NATO vice president and executive director Mary Ann Grasso confirmed
NATO’s wholehearted support for the conversion, noting that information
regarding studio support of the changeover, along with conversion
dates and information about the red light readers needed for this
process, would be widely disseminated to the NATO membership.
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