Side 1
The first theatrical release ever to been shown via a digital projector, and Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was the lucky film chosen for this momentous event.
Only four theaters across the entire country were given the opportunity (and the expensive equipment) to run this limited engagement 'Special Presentation'; Two in New York and two in Los Angeles, one wonders why the middle of the country was forgotten. The large population in these areas was probably the reason for the choices.
I live in Burbank, California and was completely elated when I discovered that one of the theaters, chosen to host this digital release, was none other than the theater 3 minutes from my home. The release, coinciding with a month almost to the day that TPM had been in theaters, happened to fall on an internet fueled campaign designating that weekend to be Star Wars Fan Day.
So, combining fan day AND the digital release, I and about 12 others ventured to the Burbank AMC 14 to watch the new and improved Phantom Menace.
And it didn't disappoint.
The first film I had been to in a while that was very late in starting, I attributed to the new equipment and thus could forgive them for making this impatient woman wait for this 'Special Presentation'.
The theater had even gone so far as to provide each of us with a badge that said 'Exclusive Presentation', by DLP Texas Instruments, to wear around our necks. It was welcomed by all in line and we proudly hung the 'pass' around our necks for the duration of the film.
Assured of getting good seats by arriving for the show time 1.5 hours early, we marched into the theater and promptly waited the 30 minutes before show time.
Previews were shown and then a special introduction of DLP and Texas Instruments, introducing this new digital technology.
Then the lights went down, the theater became dark and 20th Century Fox Logo appeared on the screen amidst a round of cheers from the audience.
I have seen this film 7 times now in four different theaters, and never has there been a quiet theater when the film began.
Silence fell over the crowd as the Lucasfilm logo appeared, and as the familiar words 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away appeared, the crowd erupted into a thunderous roar once again.
Then it was eariely silent as the familiar, yet not familiar opening sequence crawled across the screen.
We were blown away by the crisp, clear image floating as if on nothingness, before us. The image, if I had not known better, looked like it was being projected in 3D.
From the beginning of the film to the Vader hissing end, the crowd sat riveted to their seats. The crisp, clear, clean print, the colors that seemed to jump out and grab your attention, the little details that in the film you missed, and I had seen it 6 times before seeing the digital version, were strikingly clear.
Watching this film projected with this experimental and new technology was a treat and I find myself wishing that it would be in these theaters for longer than a month. Because, now I am spoiled and only want to see it in this digital format.
I strongly urge anyone who has the opportunity, to go and see The Phantom menace in this digital format. It will open your eyes and what a look at the future of film……
Below is a scan of the front and back side of the badge that we received in exchange for our ticket at the door…….As you can see, they are numbered….
Side 1