The reported dimensions of the “widescreen” auditorium (65'x45') don’t make sense as that would produce an unmasked aspect ratio of 1.44:1, and this is obviously not a 70mm IMAX auditorium. Perhaps that measures the screen straight across and doesn’t account for the curve. Ultimately it’s likely to be (and appears to be from the pictures that are available) 1.85:1 unmasked, which means scope films will be masked or letterboxed just like at every other run-of-the-mill chain. And just like on a television. Cheaper to build, but not cinematic or widescreen by any stretch. At this point the only huge side-masked auditoriums in the NCR that I’m aware of are the Uptown and Bow Tie’s BTX screen in Reston (unless you include Fredericksburg…three down there including one large format). Some of the older Regals including former Consolidated and Loew’s theatres do have some side-masked screens, and Fairfax Corner used to be all side-masked until they put in their two Xtreme screens, and with Cinemark taking over I would guess they’ve done a full conversion, though admittedly I haven’t been there in a couple years.
Giles, when you say horizontal masking do you mean that the masking moves horizontally (i.e. side masking) or that the masking itself is horizontal relative to the screen and moves vertically (top masking)? I live outside of Richmond but love and envy the D.C. film scene, and am thinking of checking out the Angelika this weekend. But I hate screens with top masking and avoid them at all cost.
The reported dimensions of the “widescreen” auditorium (65'x45') don’t make sense as that would produce an unmasked aspect ratio of 1.44:1, and this is obviously not a 70mm IMAX auditorium. Perhaps that measures the screen straight across and doesn’t account for the curve. Ultimately it’s likely to be (and appears to be from the pictures that are available) 1.85:1 unmasked, which means scope films will be masked or letterboxed just like at every other run-of-the-mill chain. And just like on a television. Cheaper to build, but not cinematic or widescreen by any stretch. At this point the only huge side-masked auditoriums in the NCR that I’m aware of are the Uptown and Bow Tie’s BTX screen in Reston (unless you include Fredericksburg…three down there including one large format). Some of the older Regals including former Consolidated and Loew’s theatres do have some side-masked screens, and Fairfax Corner used to be all side-masked until they put in their two Xtreme screens, and with Cinemark taking over I would guess they’ve done a full conversion, though admittedly I haven’t been there in a couple years.
Giles, when you say horizontal masking do you mean that the masking moves horizontally (i.e. side masking) or that the masking itself is horizontal relative to the screen and moves vertically (top masking)? I live outside of Richmond but love and envy the D.C. film scene, and am thinking of checking out the Angelika this weekend. But I hate screens with top masking and avoid them at all cost.