Both. It is the film stock size. Everyone refers to seeing it in 70MM because there was really only one plate to cut for 70MM. 35MM had many different aspect ratios so many different plates were cut depending on the aspect ratio.
I forgot to add that one of the main things that helped that was the change to 7000 watt lamps. Add in all many, many minor changes and adjustments the last few years and the 3-D effect works very well.
During various morning tests last year, I walked around the entire house to look at the 3-D effect. There are really no bad seats anymore. Obviously, the more centered you are, the better the effect. However, even in the seats way off to the side, the 3-D effect was VERY apparent.
We are fairly certain that the 3-D film will still be used for next year. It just works too well and is still an important feature in the show. They still had some problems with the LED 3-D wall this year so it would be risky putting it on that. In the 7 years or so that I’ve been here, we lost the film for a show only 2 times.
The surround speakers that were put in actually are used for the entire show, not just film. They are also used in a lot of the events during the year.
Thanks for your comments Mark but the legend here is Bob Endres. Also, few people know that the man that worked with Bob here, is retired but still works about 10 days doing the Christmas Show with us. Andy plans on being here next year too. Remind early in the show next year and I will give you a tour of the booth.
Mike, the 3-D video game sequence is on a separate LED wall made up of many horrible looking panels that do indeed have distracting seams (film wouldn’t do that…but that’s for another discussion). The second 3-D scene that I’m assuming you’re talking about is the Santa fly-in to Radio City. That is still 70MM film shown on the large silver screen and not the picture sheet. As I said earlier, the picture sheet has been removed.
First off, get used to the stuff hanging everywhere. With more and more shows and the “need” for “effects”, more things will be added. Of course things change from show to show but there be always be equipment hanging everywhere……..
……On a sadder note, the house picture sheet has been removed and most likely discarded. Also, the speaker border with the stage speakers has been dismantled and most likely permanently removed……….
I’m not getting the emails either. I just dropped by to post a picture and saw all the responses….
The interior “proscenium” was put in 3 years ago for the content from the digital projectors. We had to re-lens the film projectors because it shrunk the image size (yes, the picture was even bigger than it is now). The video walls are what they are. They look like crap close up but it’s good enough I guess. I’m very surprised about the theater not being cleaned well from the show before. They usually are very good about that.
No premieres in the near future. Vito, they may be bringing in more digital projectors for the spring show. It looks like they will not be using film now for the spring show. This is what we heard yesterday from someone. Info does not travel well to us hear so that may still change. The trailer for the spring show is 90 seconds and being shown on the 3D wall. It looks amazing on the wall…….if you like the look of content on a cinderblock wall with cold colors……..makes no sense at all.
The “shine” number is gone. Snow scene was added. There will be large snowflake “balls” flying around the house…(this is a lawsuit waiting to happen)…..Some new content added to the digital projectors. 3D film staying the same and on film (as it should be).
Projector 5 will not be going back into place. We still have 4 other good ones so I think we’re okay. They do show the booth on the tours but they stay outside the doorway of the booth. It’s funny hearing some of the tour guide talk about the booth and projection. Most of them are very accurate, but some of them have no idea what they’re talking about.
As far as future projection goes, there are no upcoming movies. We did however do some extensive film testing for the upcoming “spring” show. There is a very good chance that we will be using film for it. Digital projectors will also be used.
Hey Vito. Don’t worry about the old projectors. We don’t cover them anymore. In fact, we started fixing up the 2 that haven’t been used for a long time. Looks like we may be using them soon……..
It’s funny that you mention that. I don’t know the answer but I was going through the film vault a few weeks ago and found that snipe along with many others.
I guess it doesn’t look better to the people that tested film and digital last year. According to them, the film 3D looked better on the huge screen. Digital couldn’t even fill it. As far as the 2D, there was no clear winner between the 2. We still run film for the Christmas show too.
I wish it was easier to get someone up here. It’s hard enough getting in myself sometimes. I do the same thing when I go to theaters. Always looking to the booth.
We get 2 new prints, at the beginning of the run, when they change any of the sponsors. The current print started at the beginning of last years show. We just started using the backup print a few days ago.
Both. It is the film stock size. Everyone refers to seeing it in 70MM because there was really only one plate to cut for 70MM. 35MM had many different aspect ratios so many different plates were cut depending on the aspect ratio.
The curtain will be used.
I forgot to add that one of the main things that helped that was the change to 7000 watt lamps. Add in all many, many minor changes and adjustments the last few years and the 3-D effect works very well.
During various morning tests last year, I walked around the entire house to look at the 3-D effect. There are really no bad seats anymore. Obviously, the more centered you are, the better the effect. However, even in the seats way off to the side, the 3-D effect was VERY apparent.
We are fairly certain that the 3-D film will still be used for next year. It just works too well and is still an important feature in the show. They still had some problems with the LED 3-D wall this year so it would be risky putting it on that. In the 7 years or so that I’ve been here, we lost the film for a show only 2 times.
The surround speakers that were put in actually are used for the entire show, not just film. They are also used in a lot of the events during the year.
Thanks for your comments Mark but the legend here is Bob Endres. Also, few people know that the man that worked with Bob here, is retired but still works about 10 days doing the Christmas Show with us. Andy plans on being here next year too. Remind early in the show next year and I will give you a tour of the booth.
Congrats Mark. Hope she is back next year. Also, I can see the seams from the booth.
It will be removed next week during load out and installed again next October during load in for next year’s show.
Mike, the 3-D video game sequence is on a separate LED wall made up of many horrible looking panels that do indeed have distracting seams (film wouldn’t do that…but that’s for another discussion). The second 3-D scene that I’m assuming you’re talking about is the Santa fly-in to Radio City. That is still 70MM film shown on the large silver screen and not the picture sheet. As I said earlier, the picture sheet has been removed.
First off, get used to the stuff hanging everywhere. With more and more shows and the “need” for “effects”, more things will be added. Of course things change from show to show but there be always be equipment hanging everywhere…….. ……On a sadder note, the house picture sheet has been removed and most likely discarded. Also, the speaker border with the stage speakers has been dismantled and most likely permanently removed……….
I’m not getting the emails either. I just dropped by to post a picture and saw all the responses….
The interior “proscenium” was put in 3 years ago for the content from the digital projectors. We had to re-lens the film projectors because it shrunk the image size (yes, the picture was even bigger than it is now). The video walls are what they are. They look like crap close up but it’s good enough I guess. I’m very surprised about the theater not being cleaned well from the show before. They usually are very good about that.
No premieres in the near future. Vito, they may be bringing in more digital projectors for the spring show. It looks like they will not be using film now for the spring show. This is what we heard yesterday from someone. Info does not travel well to us hear so that may still change. The trailer for the spring show is 90 seconds and being shown on the 3D wall. It looks amazing on the wall…….if you like the look of content on a cinderblock wall with cold colors……..makes no sense at all.
Didn’t see any during spring show rehearsals. “Snow” was only thing added for Christmas Show.
Other than “snow”, which has a kick line, same show as last year
That was a great response David. Also, this just in……..we will be running a “trailer” at the beginning of every show for the spring show……
“Snow” is putting me to sleep. Some spring show testing going on as well.
The “shine” number is gone. Snow scene was added. There will be large snowflake “balls” flying around the house…(this is a lawsuit waiting to happen)…..Some new content added to the digital projectors. 3D film staying the same and on film (as it should be).
Projector 5 will not be going back into place. We still have 4 other good ones so I think we’re okay. They do show the booth on the tours but they stay outside the doorway of the booth. It’s funny hearing some of the tour guide talk about the booth and projection. Most of them are very accurate, but some of them have no idea what they’re talking about.
As far as future projection goes, there are no upcoming movies. We did however do some extensive film testing for the upcoming “spring” show. There is a very good chance that we will be using film for it. Digital projectors will also be used.
Hey Vito. Don’t worry about the old projectors. We don’t cover them anymore. In fact, we started fixing up the 2 that haven’t been used for a long time. Looks like we may be using them soon……..
It’s funny that you mention that. I don’t know the answer but I was going through the film vault a few weeks ago and found that snipe along with many others.
I guess it doesn’t look better to the people that tested film and digital last year. According to them, the film 3D looked better on the huge screen. Digital couldn’t even fill it. As far as the 2D, there was no clear winner between the 2. We still run film for the Christmas show too.
The film projectors may be used some more in the upcoming future. We will be testing some film elements in a few weeks.
I wish it was easier to get someone up here. It’s hard enough getting in myself sometimes. I do the same thing when I go to theaters. Always looking to the booth.
We get 2 new prints, at the beginning of the run, when they change any of the sponsors. The current print started at the beginning of last years show. We just started using the backup print a few days ago.
Interestingly, very few issues so far this year. They seem to have fixed the bus (finally) and video wall. Thank goodness the film is still in………
As you can see, they are still in use today…..