How much may a technology develop from its own internal demands, how much may it be affected by the circumstance of its deployment? Until now, movie goers have given scant attention to the movie screen itself. Put simply, the screen has been invisible, although it is the most visible piece of film technology. The screen demands more attention because of its peculiar status: it is both the final link in the chain of film technology as well as an element of architecture, defining - and being defined by - the space it inhabits. We shall look at the differing ways the screen of the past was situated in architectural space, how these factors have affected our viewing of movies, and, finally, how they helped determine the development of film style.
Think back to when you were in school and your teacher brought in the 16mm projector for an instructional movie or perhaps when your family had friends over and Dad pulled out the old 8mm projector to show movies of your last vacation. Depending on the time frame in which this occurred, it is a pretty good bet that the screens used in those situations were made with a glass beaded surface on the front. one of the reasons that a glass beaded surface was the popular choice back then was because the projectors were not very bright and, as such, we wanted to get as much light directed back to the viewing audience as possible.
When we come to contemplate a projection device in conjunction with a projection screen, there is considerable irony in the fact that the term "gain" is routinely applied to the screen and hardly ever to the projector. Yet it is the projector, not the surface, which is powered by electricity and it is the projector, not the surface, which comes with a twistable dial marked "Brightness."
Nevertheless screen gain does exist. Although still a misleading misnomer, gain is not purely some shibboleth of the A/V industry. A screen with a gain of 3 is certainly and observably different from a screen with a gain of 1.5. How it is different merits analysis.
Over the years, we have carried out curtain system installations at very many cinemas and theatres across the country and abroad. Often the basic safety requirements are not supplied by the exhibitor. In a cut-throat business environment; one often has to make do with what is available on the site.
NEW DELHI: A whole new way of movie making and watching is knocking on the doors of India, thanks to technological advances.
Though slow in catching up with the rest of the world in most fields of entertainment, cash-flushed business houses operating mostly from Mumbai are ensuring that e-cinema comes to a theatre near you very quickly.
While the world is yet to warm up to the idea of digitally distributed films, Bollywood filmmakers have already put the technology to test and are finding it a great tool to fight piracy and cut costs.
