With an intimate 60-seat screening room, the not-for-profit Downing Film Center in Newburgh, N.Y. fills the void for movies outside the mainstream with a diverse presentation of independent and foreign films, as well as celebrated classics in this waterfront town. It will soon provide for another cinematic need: a superior movie viewing experience thanks to a Christie® Solaria® CP2210 digital cinema projector, which is expected to be fully installed by mid-October.
As the Lower Hudson River Valley’s only independent cinema, the center offers moviegoers an experience unlike any other in the area – and its move to digital will give guests the best of new technology to enhance its unique cinematic range.
“We certainly wouldn’t go with any other projector besides Christie,” said Brian Burke, executive director of the Downing Film Center. “Christie has a strong reputation for quality, with technology and service that have always been top-notch. Unlike other solutions that I researched, I learned that Christie is always at the top when it came to digital projection.”
Craig Sholder, vice president, Christie Entertainment Solutions, applauded the Center’s support for the independent film artist. “With their move to digital, Downing Film Center will provide the Hudson River Valley community with a quality movie-viewing experience that is second to none, and Christie values the trust they have placed in us to provide them with the best projector technology in the industry to do so,” said Sholder. “We are committed to providing independent theaters such as Downing with the same high-quality products and services that larger chains take advantage of when converting to digital cinema.”
“Drive to Digital” Fundraiser
Downing Film Center has been in the business of creating a memorable night out for community residents since the theater first opened in July of 2006. Initially selling tickets in person, using roll tickets and taking reservations by phone, the theater has always used a 35mm projector and a Christie platter system to light up its single screen. Over the years, Burke recalls encountering “a few hiccups when loading the reel,” such as an incident where he and his wife spent hours rewinding a film by hand after the canister spilled out.
Soon after changing to an automated ticketing service last January, the Center began planning to convert to digital. It set in motion its “Drive to Digital” fundraising campaign, which incorporates plans such as expanded film offerings and upgrades to its technology, including the installation of a digital projector. A limited budget has presented challenges, but creative use of social media such as weekly e-news, a website and YouTube is helping them get the word out about the Center’s need for funding.
With the order for a Christie CP2210 projector already placed, Burke hopes to have the equipment installed by mid-October, and to begin showing “award-worthy independent films with an award-worthy image. “
A Bright Future With Digital
“We’re moving ahead with the installation because we have a very generous and supportive community, and we are confident our audience will come through for us and continue to support us down the road,” said Burke. “We’re also confident in Christie’s ability to provide the high standard of entertainment we are recognized for, and once our audiences experience the brilliant colors and sharp images of digital cinema, they’ll be more motivated than ever before to support our move to digital.”
He added: “Having a digital projector from Christie will eliminate many of the headaches film can cause. And looking at the bigger picture, digital projection will also dramatically expand the variety of movies and alternative content I can show on the screen. People will be absorbed by the bright, beautiful images the Christie projector will provide and will be better able to appreciate the full intent of the artist’s vision.”
