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Welcome to our 3-D world!
Mac Olsen
for Spotlight
It’s a moment owners Michael and Darla Smith, not to mention moviegoers, have been waiting for – the 3-D movie experience.
After nearly a week of installing new 3-D projection equipment and touching up the building with paint, the Park Theatre in High Prairie re-opened Aug. 6 with the digital 2-D/3-D movie, ‘The Last Airbender’. Although it wasn’t a true 3-D movie, moviegoers were nonetheless impressed with the new experience.
“It was awesome! We’re lucky to watch 3-D movies in our town,” says Tracy Roberts. “I can’t believe what a good deal it is. Mike and Darla spoil us.”
Roberts wanted to say she was there for the every first night of 3-D movies, to be part of history in the making. Her sons, Laine Roberts and Micheal Roberts, say it’s nice to have 3-D in High Prairie and it’s superior to 2-D.
Anthony Anderson heard about the Smiths’ plans to switch to a 3-D projector and wanted to experience it.
“It really rocks!” says Anderson, adding he is looking forward to seeing more such movies.
Bill Somerville expressed similar thoughts.
“It was fantastic! Mike and Darla have done such a fantastic job!” he says. “Now it’s a big deal. Watching 3-D is a superior experience. It’s also worth the extra dollar.”
Moviegoers must pay $1 over the regular price, which is a royalty the Smiths have to pay for the new equipment. The additional charge applies only to 3-D movies.
The Smiths also received feedback from Alicia C. Salon via e-mail. Salon says she and her fiancé are avid moviegoers and have been to many cinemas in Canada, as well as to 3-D movies, but nothing beats the new one in High Prairie.
“This one was really clear and mind you, cheaper, than any other city or province. To think that big cities (have) the crowds and the competition to lower prices to sell, but nope, they bite us hard. But with a cinema in a little town and an unbeatable price, wow, that is awesome! Thanks, Darla, for bringing the innovation in entertainment cinema (to) High Prairie,” says Salon.
The Smiths are pleased with the new equipment.
“This is high definition in turbo,” says Michael Smith.
The projector has nine resolution choices, including 1998 x 1080 for 2-D flat projection and 2048 x 858 in 3-D scope.
A new silver screen, which absorbs light so it isn’t overpowering, has replaced the old screen. It’s like watching a high-definition TV, he says.
Of course, the key to watching 3-D movies are the new 3-D glasses, which are free of charge. They are reusable and the Smiths plan to have a recycling bin so they can be returned to the manufacturer for cleaning.
One of the biggest benefits of the new equipment is the elimination of balky film reels. The last movie they played with their standard film projector was ‘Grown Ups’ in 35mm format, which requires six reels and weighs approximately 60 pounds in two canisters.
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