What's Happening: January 2002 - June 2002

June 26, 2002: IMAX Predicts Simultaneous Hollywood Release By Year-End
IMAX Co-CEO Richard Gelfond told Reuters Wednesday that he would be surprised if the company did not announce by year's end a day-and-date release of a major Hollywood action film -- simultaneously in 35mm and IMAX theaters. Calling such an event the company's "Holy Grail," Gelfond said the company is in negotiations with several studios, but did not name any specific films. For more, click here for the Reuters press release.

June 26, 2002: IMAX Establishes Asia Outpost, Sets Sights on China
In a company release issued today, IMAX Corporation announced the establishment of an IMAX Asia office, headquartered at the new Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, site of the first two IMAX theaters in the People's Republic. After confirming that at least three new theaters would open in China during 2003, IMAX stated its ambitions to add its theaters to leading science centers across the country. CEO Richard Gelfond told Reuters that within five years he expects China to be IMAX's second-largest market after the U.S. (in terms of the number of screens).
For more info, read the IMAX press release.

June 21, 2002: IMAX's Mary Pat Ryan Steps Down; Romi Schutzer Steps In
BMZ has learned that Mary Pat Ryan, president of worldwide marketing for IMAX Corporation, left earlier this month to join Sirius Satellite Radio. Assuming many of her duties is Romi Schutzer, whose past experience includes marketing positions at Star Media and USA Networks.

June 17, 2002: LFCA Elects Dennis as President
The Large Format Cinema Association, the 2nd-largest industry association of Big Movie professionals, today announced the appointment of Robert Dennis as its president. Dennis, currently film lab CFI's director of sales and marketing, has served as the organization's interim president since December, when long-time President Christopher Reyna resigned. For the complete story, click here for the press release.

June 13, 2002: LFCA Announces New Board of Directors
The Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) today announced the new board of directors elected by registered members at its recent annual conference, held in Los Angeles last month. Three new board members -- Chevy Humphrey of the Arizona Science Center; Jonathan Barker of SK Films; and Olivier Brunet of Gulliver Labs -- were voted as first-term members, while several others were re-elected. For details, click here to read the press release.

June 7, 2002: Cronkite to Narrate, Host 'S.O.S. Planet'
Walter Cronkite will serve as narrator and on-screen host of nWave Pictures' upcoming computer-animated Big Movie, S.O.S. Planet, according to a new section on the company's web site. The conservation-themed film is being produced by nWave Pictures and will be distributed worldwide by nWave Pictures Distribution, beginning this Fall. nWave recorded the narration and filmed Mr. Cronkite on June 1st.

June 6, 2002: Martin Sheen to Narrate 'Straight Up'
Hollywood veteran Martin Sheen will narrate the upcoming Big Movie, Straight Up: Helicopters in Action, according to a press release issued today. The film, produced by SK Films for the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, will premiere in September at the Museum's Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, and be distributed worldwide thereafter by SK Films.

May 29, 2002: 'Space Station' is Fastest IMAX-Distributed Film to Reach $5 Million
Since its release on April 17th, 'Space Station' has grossed $5,905,022 in total box office revenue, according to a press release issued today by IMAX Corporation, the film's producer and distributor. 'Space Station' has surpassed the $5-million box office mark faster than any IMAX-distributed film before it. (A handful of films from other distributors, such as Buena Vista's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Fantasia/2000,' and MacGillivary Freeman Films' 'Everest,' have hit the $5-million mark in less time.)

May 24, 2002: Cameron to Release 'Ghosts' in 3 Types of 3D, Including 35mm
In an interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter' published May 10, 'Titanic' director James Cameron revealed plans to release his upcoming Big Movie, Ghosts of the Abyss, in three different 3-D versions: 15/70 IMAX 3D; HD 3-D; and 35mm "over-and-under" 3-D. By offering the film in the latter two 3D formats, both for use in normal 35mm theaters, Cameron hopes the film will show on an additional 100-150 screens (or roughly double the number) than would be possible for a standard IMAX 3D release. According to Cameron, "[t]he company that is financing the film, Walden Media, is owned by Philip Anschutz, who owns something like 20% or 25% of the theaters in North America, and they're going to be encouraging a number of their theater chains to install either 35mm over-and-under projection or digital projection to support this title."

May 22, 2002: 'Space Station' Earns Best Film Award at LFCA 2002
Space Station, the first IMAX space film shot in 3D, was voted the best of the new films shown at the 2002 LFCA Conference, held May 15-17. (The other six under consideration were Australia: Land Beyond Time; The Human Body; Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa; Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West; Horses: The Story of Equus; and Skydance. Ultimate X was shown during a special Disney presentation, but Buena Vista decided not to make it eligible for the film festival.) This marked the first time such an award has been given during the six year history of the Conference, held each year in Los Angeles. In the second category, "short films," The Trip took the top prize among the four contestants, each running about 5 minutes in length. (The other three were In Five Minutes, the Feature; 'Pathways to Quality'; and a restored version of Jacques Tati's 'Playtime'). All attending delegates were given the opportunity to vote on the final evening of the conference, and the winners were announced during the closing Gala event.

May 20, 2002: Disney: More Big Movie Plans Announced
During a special presentation the company put on to kick off the annual Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) Conference last Wedenesday, Disney (specifically, International Special Projects VP Lylle Breier) announced new Big Movie plans and elaborated on others. Among the new bits of information:

• Buena Vista Pictures, Disney's distribution arm, has has acquired the North American distribution rights to James Cameron's Fall 3D release, 'Ghosts of the Abyss.'
• Disney confirmed rumors that BV would also distribute 'Sacred Planet,' a Big Movie from 'Extreme' Director Jon Long currently in production and slated for an April 2004 release. Along with Cameron's 'Abyss' film, this breaks new ground for Disney in that it will distribute Large Format films that it did not produce. And it brings to 12 the number of films the company has released, or presumably will release to Big Movie theaters over the next few years.
• Disney's 'The Young Black Stallion,' a prequel to the 1979 hit 'The Black Stallion' and its first film created exclusively for the Big Movie screen, will be the first Large Format film branded a 'Walt Disney Picture.' It will also be released in Fall 2003, a year later than originally planned, to allow for a more thorough educational companion plan to be developed, and to provide more time to rally the Disney company and all its properties around the film. (The delayed release is not due to production issues, as two months of shooting in Africa has already been completed.)
• Two new animated titles from Disney's library were proposed as possible future releases -- 'Aladdin' and 'Tarzan' -- though no set dates have been confirmed and only test footage has been repurposed. Clips from both films were shown to the audience at the Universal Studios IMAX Theater, along with trailers from 'Treasure Planet' (set to release November 22, 2002); 'The Lion King' (releasing December 25, 2002); and 'The Young Black Stallion.'
  
  Stay tuned for more coverage on the LFCA Conference from BMZ!

May 9, 2002: Panelists for LFCA 2002 Announced
The Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) has recently released the names of the panelists for each of the three discussion sessions at this year's Conference, to be held May 15-17 in Los Angeles. Panel #1, "Funding and Sponsorship in the Large Format World," will feature Bob Kresser, CEO of K2 Communications; Robert Hollander, President of Brandsense Marketing; and Jonathan Barker, President of SK Films. Big Movie producer Phil Streather (Co-chairman, Big Picture Partnership) will moderate the discussion. Panel #2, "Marketing Films on a Tight Budget," will include Steven Zeller, President of GS Marketing Group; and Max Danielson, Director of Marketing for Destination Cinema. Marti Boone, Executive VP of Production & Development for Ilusion Factor, will moderate the panel. Panel #3, "Projecting the Future," is composed of John Rochester, Chief Executive of IMAX Theaters Australia; Mark Peterson of White Oak Associates; and Susanne Simpson, Executive Producer at Nova Giant Screen Films. Andrew Gellis, President and CEO of Cinevest, will moderate the panel.

LFCA is one of the leading industry associations for Big Movie producers, distributors, exhibitors and other industry professionals. Formed more than five years ago, LFCA holds an annual Conference and Film Festival to screen new films, discuss key issues facing the industry and provide a forum for networking. More information and registration information can be found on LFCA's web site, lfca.org.

May 9, 2002: IMAX Reports Profitable 1st Quarter
IMAX Corporation today announced financial results for the first fiscal quarter of 2002, ending March 31. Earnings were $10.5 million, or 32 cents per share, as compared to a $13.7 million loss (45 cents per share) in the first quarter of 2001. The company, which saw its stock price plummet last year in the midst of a myriad of financial problems, is apparently rebounding and on track for a profitable 2002. The strong first quarter was attributed to the strong attendance for Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," as well as cost-cutting and restructuring actions.
Click here for the IMAX press release.

May 7, 2002: Big Movie Celebrating Genomic Science
GenomeWeb.com has reported that a Big Movie "chronicling the triumphs of genomic science" is being planned as part of a new Genomics Center being built in Boston.
Click here for full article.

May 7, 2002: Destination Film About Texas Begins Production
According to a press release issued last week, Austin-based advertising agency GSD&M has begun work on a Big Movie for the Texas State History Museum Foundation, currently titled "A Land Called Texas." The Foundation and the State of Texas are helping fund the movie, which will initially serve as a destination/signature film for the Bob Bullock IMAX Theater at the Texas State History Museum, before being launched into wider distribution. "Apollo 13" co-writer (and Texas native) Al Reinert is writer and director of the film, which will will be shot by Big Movie DP Sean Phillips in locations throughout the state of Texas. "A Land Called Texas" is slated for a Spring 2003 premiere.

May 6, 2002: New Board For Quebec Giant Screen Consortium
The Quebec-based industry association "Giant Screen Consortium" has named a new Board of Directors, with Neils de Jong Franken as President. More information can be found on the group's web site -- http://www.cfg-gsc.com

May 1, 2002: SHOWperfect to Provide Theater Equipment Installation
In a company press relesae, Simi Valley-based electronic projector manufacturer SHOWperfect, Inc., who most recently sold two 8/70 projection systems to United Artists Theatres, announced that it would now provide audio and video equipment installation services through its new partner, Atlas Specialty Lighting(R). For more information, email info@showperfect.com, or visit their web site at www.showperfect.com.

April 29, 2002: Big Films Renting IMAX Cameras
Montreal-based postproduction studio Big Films, Inc. has purchased three 15/70 cameras and several accessories, positioning itself as a new Giant Screen camera rental company. According to a company press release, the cameras "will be presented as an alternative for producers with limited budgets and as back-up systems on larger productions." Click here for contact info.

April 29, 2002: AIS Offering Rolling Loop 15/70 Projector at Dramatically-Reduced Price
Advanced Image Systems, Inc. has announced the availability of one unit of its Ultra 70 Rolling Loop 15/70 Projection System at nearly 40% off the regular price -- making it, according to AIS, a "fraction of the cost of any 15/70 machine." The "rolling loop" technology used by the Ultra 70 is similar to that of IMAX Corporation's projectors, and differs from the "planar loop" design of AIS's Maverick 15/70 projectors. More information can be found at www.advancedimagesystems.com.

April 11, 2002: Kodak Vision Award Goes to David Douglas
This year's Kodak Vision Award, honoring excellence in Large Format filmmaking, will be presented to pioneering Big Movie director/cinematographer David Douglas at the LFCA Conference in May. Douglas has photographed more than 30 Big Movies, including "Fires of Kuwait," "Survival Island," and "Rolling Stones to the Max."
Click here for the press release.

April 10, 2002: NSync Big Movie to Debut on Network TV This Month
NSync: Bigger Than Live, the concert film about the famous group NSync released last year, will make its network TV debut on the WB network April 25th, according to a press release issued today.

April 4, 2002: Digital 3D Coral Reefs Film For United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
Big Movie Zone has recently learned that French production company "Blue Magic Project" (producer: Francois Mantello) is near completion on a 3D 15/70 film promoting coral reef preservation. Produced in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Program's Coral Reefs Unit, the film was shot using a new HD digital technology recently employed by George Lucas for his upcoming Star Wars film, with cameras much smaller and lighter than traditional 3D 15/70 cameras. Entitled "Blue Magic," the film was shot in the Bahamas and the Great Barrier Reef and will reportedly be ready for release in late June of this year.

March 27, 2002: Gulliver Counters Technicolor's 70mm Price Break
Following Technicolor's price-cutting move announced last month, Paris-based lab Gulliver today announced that it, too, would lower the price of 70mm prints for 2002. According to Gulliver, whereas Technicolor's move last month temporarily erased Gulliver's price advantage, Gulliver's new cost structure once again restores its "competitive pricing edge."
Click here for the press release.

March 22, 2002: "Apollo 13" Re-release - The Beginning of a Trend?
Further details surrounding IMAX's "Apollo 13" press event were disclosed today by Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. Not only have there apparently been talks between Universal and IMAX to convert other films to 70mm ("Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Cat in the Hat" were reportedly thrown out as examples), but other Hollywood movie studios such as Dreamworks, Paramount and Warner Brothers are reportedly considering IMAX's new reformatting process for titles in their own libraries, or even for simultaneous release of future films. For more information...
Reuters/Variety Press Release
Hollywood Reporter Press Release

March 21, 2002: IMAX(R) DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) Technology Announced for Apollo 13
IMAX today announced that it has developed technology to transform any live-action (35mm) theatrical release into its 70mm IMAX format. In a press conference held at the Universal Studios IMAX Theatre this morning, IMAX revealed that its DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) process will first be used to re-release Ron Howard's 1995 film "Apollo 13" late this summer.
Click here for the press release.

March 19, 2002: IMAX Corp. to Re-Release "Apollo 13" in 70mm
Daily Variety today reported that IMAX Corp., Universal and producer Imagine Entertainment will hold a press event Thursday to announce the re-release of the 35mm film "Apollo 13" (1995) on 70mm IMAX screens in late summer 2002. A similar arrangement involving IMAX, Universal and Imagine for the latter's upcoming Mike Meyers film "Cat in the Hat" is also reportedly in the works. Other live-action "Hollywood" films such as "Gladiator" and "Matrix" have appeared on a small number of Big Movie screens in recent years, but were merely blown-up versions of the original 35mm prints. In the case of "Apollo" (and "Cat in the Hat"), a process will be used to convert the 35mm negatives to 70mm, resulting in much-improved resolution. A similar reformatting process, which reportedly costs between $2 and $3 million, has been used on the Disney films "Fantasia 2000" and "Beauty and the Beast," but "Apollo" marks the first time it's been tried with a live-action film.
Click here for the press release.

March 15, 2002: BOARDperfect Creates SHOWperfect to focus on projectors
BOARDperfect, Inc., a recent entry into the Giant Screen projector industry with its two 8/70 installations at United Artists multiplexes in Denver and Philadelphia, has announced the creation of a new company, SHOWperfect, to focus on special-venue large-format electronic projectors. This will allow BOARDperfect to focus on its core business of printed circuit board assembly.
Click here for the press release.

March 13, 2002: Shackleton Director Butler to Make Big Movie on Mars
British-born director George Butler, a documentarian whose Big Movie credits include Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure, has been granted access to the images which will be filmed by NASA's robotic Rover vehicles (scheduled to land on Mars in January 2004). Butler plans to use the "Imax-quality images" to make a conventional film and a Giant Screen film, aiming to "give the feeling that audiences are actually walking on Mars, using parts of Antarctica as a double for Mars." A couple years back, James Cameron was working on a similar Mars-themed docu for LF screens, his in 3D (e.g see this article), but appears to have abandoned the project as he focuses on the shipwrkec documentary Ghosts of the Abyss, scheduled for release later this year.
Click here for the full article on Ananova.com.

March 13, 2002: Cameron's "Ghosts of the Abyss" Lands Japanese, European Distributor
22 minutes of footage from James Cameron's upcoming Big Movie "Ghosts of the Abyss" was screened at last month's American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA. According to Variety, the preview screening generated "significant buyer interest," and led to distribution deals with Japan-based Gaga Communications and Zurich-based Telepool Gmbh. A domestic deal was not made.

March 13, 2002: Langers Juice Labels to Promote Slingshot DVDs
Some two million Langers Juice labels will be imprinted with coupons for $2 dollars off selected DVDs from Slingshot Entertainment, the companies recently announced. The coupons, on juice bottles from April through June, are valid for discounts on Slingshot's Giant Screen titles only, at participating retailers such as Best Buy.
Click here for the press release.

March 8, 2002: LFCA to Honor Colin Low, National Film Board of Canada
The Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) has announced that it will honor both Colin Low, and the National Film Board of Canada with its Abel Gance Award, which recognizes "the pioneering spirit of large format cinema visionaries." The Award will be presented at this year's conference, scheduled for May 15th - 17th at the California Science Center. LFCA also recently announced that film critic Leonard Maltin will be this year's keynote speaker, and that the conference theme is "projecting the future." In addition to the usual film screenings and discussion sessions, this year's event will add two new features: the much-requested "Films in Production" segment, and an LFCA Awards Program recognizing "Best Film" and "Best Work in Production."
For more information or to register for LFCA 2002, visit the LFCA website.

March 4, 2002: IMAX Reports 4th-Quarter Profits, and Stock Jumps
After a string of money-losing quarters, IMAX Corporation reported a slight profit of 63 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2001. Although it still posted a large loss for the entire fiscal year, the fourth-quarter gain was enough to send the stock price up 7%, to $3.80 on the Nasdaq. IMAX also stated in the release that it expected a slight profit for fiscal 2002, and an even greater one in 2003.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

March 1, 2002: "Extreme" Director Jon Long Making "Sacred Planet"
Jon Long, director of the 1999 Big Movie Extreme, is at work on a new project titled "Sacred Planet." The giant sreen documentary film, which "will transport audiences to pristine regions of the Earth to discover the exotic and beautiful places that still exist unchanged by humans," will be complemented by 3 one-hour shows for television. Concurrent shooting for the film and TV shows (in locations such as New Zealand, Namibia, USA and Canada) will begin next week, with the film currently scheduled for a Spring 2003 release.

February 22, 2002: IMAX, Technicolor Reach Deal to Reduce Print Costs
IMAX Corporation announced yesterday that it had reached an accord with Technicolor (and its wholly-owned subsidiary CFI) to reduce the cost of film prints for theaters in its network. IMAX theaters purchasing prints of films distributed by IMAX Corp., or any films which use IMAX's affiliated postproduction facility DKP/70MM, will be offered at a significantly lower cost.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

February 21, 2002: Regal and IMAX Sign Deal to Keep Regal's 6 IMAX Screens Open
IMAX Corporation announced this week that it had signed an agreement with Regal Theatres, to keep the latter's six IMAX Screens open and operational. The agreement involved the settlement of all outstanding claims between the two companies, arising from Regal's bancruptcy filing in 2001.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

February 15, 2002: "Pearl Harbor" Director Michael Bay to make extreme sports Big Movie
According to a Reuters/Variety press release, Bay is partnering with a group of action sports filmmakers to produce a 70mm extreme sports film for release in spring 2003. Filmmakers such as Taylor Steele, Mike McEntire, Mike Hatchett, Bill Ballard and Dave Seoane will lend their shooting talents in their respective sports, including snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding, motocross and BMX.

February 14, 2002: "Ocean Men" Wins at La Geode Film Festival
Ocean Men: Extreme Dive was recently awarded the "Public's Choice Prize" at the 7th Annual La Geode Film Festival at the La Geode IMAX Theater in Paris, France. Some 9,000 audience members voted during the festival, which lasted for appoximately one month. Other winners included Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure, which won the "Grand Prize" from a jury of Big Movie industry professionals, and China: the Panda Adventure, which won the "Youth Prize" from a group of 50 ten-year-old school children. In addition to the three winning films, eight other Big Movies were shown at the festival: "Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance"; "NSYNC: Bigger Than Live"; "Journey into Amazing Caves"; "The Human Body"; "All Access: Frontrow, Backstage, LIVE!"; "Legend of Loch Lomond"; "Origins of Life"; and "Bears."

January 29, 2002: Jeff Bridges to Narrate "Lewis and Clark"
National Geographic Television and Film today announced that Jeff Bridges will narrate its upcoming film, "Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West," being distributed by Destination Cinema. The film, a recreation of Meriweather Lewis and William Clark's famous journey, will premiere on April 20, 2002 in Omaha, Nebraska.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

January 25, 2002: Disney to Release "Treasure Planet" Simultaneously in 35mm and Big Movie Theaters
Disney today announced that it's 35mm feature release, "Treasure Planet," would be released in a specially-formatted 70mm version on the same day: November 27th, 2002. This is the first time that a major studio picture has ever been released in conventional and large format editions at the same time.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

January 22, 2002: Smithsonian and IMAX Corp. finalize deal for third IMAX(R) Theater
According to a press release issued today, IMAX Corporation will supply a 3D theater to the Smithsonian Institution's new Air and Space Museum, to be located at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles, Virginia. Scheduled to open in December 2003 in conjunction with the celebration of the Centennial of the Wright Brothers' historic flight, the theater will be the third IMAX Theater for the Smithsonian Institution, joining the Langley Theater at the National Air and Space Museum and the Johnson Theater at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. IMAX also announced in the release that the Langley theater is being updgraded to exhibit 3D films.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

January 10, 2002: IMAGICA USA Earns Academy Sci-Tech Award For its Multi-Format Optical Wetgate Printer
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) recently announced IMAGICA USA as one of this year's Scientific and Technical Achievement Award winners for its multi-format optical wetgate printer. Christopher Reyna, President of IMAGICA USA and Daijiro Fujie of Nikon Corp. will be on hand March 2nd to receive the plaque. According to the Academy's press release, the printer "offers ease of set-up and change-over to various formats from 35mm to 65mm with both additive and subractive lamp houses." In the Big Movie industry, the printer has been used primarily to create high-quality conversions from 15/70 to 8/70, or vice versa, enabling significantly wider distribution for each film.
For more information, click here to read the press release.

January 9, 2002: Chris Reyna Resigns as LFCA President; Robert Dennis Elected as Successor
LFCA confirmed yesterday that its Board of Directors had elected Robert Dennis, of Consolidated Film Industries (CFI), to succeed Chris Reyna as its President. LFCA (Large Format Cinema Association) is the second-largest Big Movie industry association, behind GSTA (Giant Screen Theater Association), and has been headed by Reyna since its birth over five years ago. (This year's annual LFCA Conference will be held in Los Angeles from May 15-17, and for the first time will include a "films in prodcution" segment.) Reyna, of Imagica USA, reportedly resigned in December for both personal and professional reasons, but will remain involved on the Board of Directors.

January 8, 2002: IMAX Repurchases $42 million of its debt; IMAX Stock Rockets 45%
IMAX Corporation today announced that it repurchased $42 million of its debt due in April 2003, at less than one quarter of its original issue price. The buyback means that $90 million of the original $100 million issue has been retired, and puts IMAX in a much stronger financial position in the eyes of investors. As a result, its stock rose $1.18 (U.S.) in today's trading to $3.70 on the Nasdaq, a gain of more than 45%.
Read IMAX press release.
Read Reuters press release.

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