All-Cyan Switch To Be Completed By January 2005
Disney Converting To Dye-Only Soundtracks

BURBANK, Calif. – Buena Vista Pictures Distribution announced March 22 that it would this autumn begin issuing its 35mm prints with environmentally-friendly pure-dye cyan soundtracks and, starting in January, issue all Buena Vista prints this way.

“Our industry is striving to eliminate sources of environmental harm, improve lab productivity and theatrical efficiency,” said Buena Vista distribution president Chuck Viane. “I’m sure that other distributors will soon be supporting this movement to cyan soundtracks and that together we can all do our part to make this a cleaner planet.”

Disney’s revelation follows a similar, March 19 announcement revealing that MGM would become the first film distributor to release all its titles on dye-only tracks, starting with the May 28 release of “Soul Plane” [In Focus, May 2004].

Cyan-dye-only soundtracks are produced without the caustic chemicals and silver used in the usual print manufacturing process and significantly reduce water usage. Silver-replicated tracks collectively use approximately 20 million gallons of water a year – enough drinking water for a town of 75,000. Distributors further reduce waste by eliminating the need to replace prints due to redevelopment problems in silver soundtracks.

Conversion to cyan requires the installation of red light-emitting diode (LED) readers in projectors, as a pure cyan soundtrack played on a white light or infra-red reader will cause distortion, sound reduction or possible inaudibility. It is estimated that the vast majority of the projectors in the United States are now equipped with the red LED readers, according to an MGM press release.

The release of these prints marks a significant breakthrough in making the conversion to pure cyan a reality for NATO, which has worked closely with the Dye Track Committee, a group of motion picture executives formed in 1998, in the fight to replace silver tracks with pure cyan dye tracks.

LEDs also last about five times longer than tungsten lights, and slowly fade over time, giving operators warning that replacement is due.

“NATO congratulates our friends at Disney for taking this important step,” said NATO president John Fithian. “It’s wonderful to see America’s movie theatres and movie studios work together to improve the environment.”
Digital soundtracks do not require silver replication and are thus not affected by the new process.