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Topic: Stealth Theater

David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 01-29-2002 02:12 PM

[This was mentioned in the "new construction" thread, but it might be worthy of its own discussion. Not trying to steal anyone else's thunder.]

A 17-screen "Stealth Theater" is proposed for construction in New Orleans. Pretty radical design departure. Scroll down to see the layout of the entire complex.
http://jazzlandfan.tripod.com/new.htm

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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-29-2002 02:23 PM

I'm sure that others will pick apart the auditorium shape for various reasons. Some of the idea is cool but I have one big critisism. I'm certain that it is going to get awfully crowded in the projection booth where the four theatres all come together at one point.

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Joe Beres
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 606
From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-29-2002 02:32 PM

I think that the design will make for an interesting piece of architecture, but I'm not sure how well it will work for film presentation. I don't really like the idea of the curved seating in relation to the curved screen. I just think it will go further to distort the image from certain vantage points. Plus, no matter how they try to sell it, smaller screens will not sell tickets.

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Dave Bird
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 777
From: Perth, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 01-29-2002 03:43 PM

Looks like a drive-in! Based on my own opinion, this design is doomed. It was found that in drive-ins, with a flat screen even, that picture dropped off at around 70 degree field of vision. Not sure if you follow me here, but if you look at the mock-up, these auditoriums are at 90 degrees. Add the curve of the screens, I don't think anyone at the side could see anything but the opposite half of the screen.

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 01-29-2002 04:20 PM

I want to go on record that this is the stupidest idea for a layout I've ever seen for many reasons, including the ones listed above. This WILL fail. Any takers?

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-29-2002 04:45 PM

I have pictures of their Branson theater at home, which I'll post later (if I can find them!). They use a lot of 5-deck platters in those tight spaces. Oh, and they purchase only used projection equipment.

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Gerard S. Cohen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 975
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 01-29-2002 06:05 PM

I count 13 projection booth locations in this blueprint, and most appear triangular. I'd like to see a plan for the booths! I wonder how much attention will be given to equipment layout, access to it,
and transport of prints. How many projectionists?

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Phil Hill
I love my cootie bug

Posts: 7595
From: Hollywood, CA USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 01-29-2002 06:42 PM

Actually curved rows work really well with curved screens. The problem with the proposed layout is the rows lengths far exceed the screen width creating viewing angle problems. I agree with Brad, this will fail. Someone ought to "enlighten" the developer.... Hmmmm a biz opertunity....

>>> Phil

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Andy Muirhead
Master Film Handler

Posts: 323
From: Galashiels, Scotland
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 01-29-2002 07:41 PM

This has to be a wind-up!

It took me about 5 seconds looking at the plans to realise this would never work. Perhaps if the seating plans were reversed.

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Jonathan M. Crist
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 531
From: Hershey, PA, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 01-29-2002 08:53 PM

This plan is nothing new. It plan has been around and used for several years. I believe the originator is Serv Pro/Theatre Service Network out of Yorkville Illinois.

They have had one of these in my area since 1999. It is a seven screen squeezed into a former hardware store of aprox 19,000 square feet (and includes a sizeable lobby area to boot). Each of the seven auditoriums is exactly the same - six rows and 110 seats. You are coming in from the side of the auditorium on the third row which is ground level. The first two rows are cut into the existing concete floor. The 3 rows above surfare a tired up in a modified stadium. The people in the first row can literally reach out and touch the screen while sitting in their seats. From the furthest row in the back if you get a good spit you can manage to hit the screen.

Another example of multiplex mania run amuk!

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Jeff Leyland
Film Handler

Posts: 28
From: Lake Charles, LA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 01-29-2002 09:04 PM

There was an article about ShoPro last year in NATO News, with a diagram of a smaller design.

About a year and a half ago, I was able to take a quick look in their theatre in Branson. It was a twelve screen with one really long main hallway. I did not get to tour behind the scenes (I just walked in and checked out the theatres). My quick impression was that for a small chain, it was a nice theatre. Was it as good as the big boys? No. But the 'stealth' design looked interesting. I sat down in a theatre that was a no show for about a minute or so. The presentation was not too bad. Overall finish of the theatre had that generic, sort of cost cutting feel to it.

I plan on going thru it again when I get back to Branson someday.

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Ken Layton
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1452
From: Olympia, Wash. USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 01-29-2002 09:17 PM

Boy, that looks PHONY!

It has "DUMP" written all over it.

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-29-2002 11:16 PM

Sorry, Ken, it's for real!

Here's a link to a bunch of pix I just updated of their Branson theater:
Sho-Pro Branson Meadows 11

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 01-29-2002 11:32 PM

Nice pics, sickening content.

Note to self, never work for a "stealth" theater.

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Ryan Powers
Film Handler

Posts: 27
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 01-30-2002 12:24 AM

Strange looking theater. I wonder what the sound will sound like in this type of arrangement? My guess is not good.

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