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REEL DEALS

PUBLISHED BY – MIKE TRICKETT 25 FAIRLIE ST. NTH. GEELONG VIC. 3215

USA Trip and the Digital Conversion Problem.

Barb and I have just returned from a very enjoyable break of 6 weeks in the
USA. Of course my interest in cinemas (past and present) formed a large
part of that visit. A tour of the magnificent Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia
was high on the priority list, and I’m pleased to say we are not disappointed.
But, it was the small towns of America which held my interest. Many of them
no longer have a cinema, but those that do are hanging on desperately with
the knowledge that the end of this year will probably see the end of 35mm
film distribution. Many owners that I spoke to said they could not afford the
cost of conversion to digital projection, and will simply either close of
continue to run older movies available on film.
The owner of one interesting small town cinema was very open with me and
said that as the cinema was a ‘labor of love’ for him and his family, they
would continue for as long as they could, even though he couldn’t afford to
employ staff. He even had a fish tank with a slot in the top for “Digital
Conversion Donations” – it contained a lot of $10.00 bills. ‘’

He said he has about $10,000 towards the cost of digital – all from his
patrons – but a long way to go yet. I wonder whether that would happen
here, or is it purely the American love of going to the movies that makes
them keen to retain their home town cinemas.

ENQUIRIES:
MIKE TRICKETT 25 FAIRLIE STREET NORTH GEELONG VIC. 3215

PH: AH. 03 5278 1986
Email: filmman@ncable.net.au

REEL DEALS NET SITE: www.reeldeals.com.au
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