—Jan 9, 2006
Technicolor Digital Cinema Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment Of
Curt Behlmer as Senior Vice President of Digital Cinema Operations
Experienced Digital Cinema, Entertainment Industry Executive to Spearhead
Company’s Deployment of Digital Projection Systems in 5,000 Screens Throughout U.S. and
Canada
Reinforcing its global leadership in digital
cinema, Technicolor Digital Cinema, part of the Services division of Thomson (Euronext
18453; NYSE: TMS), today announced it has appointed long-time motion picture and
television industry executive Curt Behlmer to the new role of senior vice
president of digital cinema operations. Behlmer will manage all operational
activities associated with Technicolor Digital Cinema’s deployment of digital
projection systems in 5,000 screens throughout the United States and Canada over
the next three to four years.
Based in the company’s offices in Burbank, Calif., Behlmer is responsible for
developing and implementing strategic operating initiatives for Technicolor
Digital Cinema’s core service and distribution platforms, and overseeing all
physical operations related to these activities and the company’s ongoing
deployment of digital projection systems in the United States and Canada.
As previously announced by Thomson, Technicolor Digital Cinema’s initial
deployment of digital projection systems is scheduled to begin in the first
quarter of 2006 with a commercial beta test covering 200-250 screens in North
America. In total, Thomson intends to introduce systems into at least 15,000
digitally-equipped screens in the United States and Canada over the next 10
years through the preliminary rollout and additional phases. The company
recently announced an agreement with Century Theatres, Inc. calling for the
theatre chain to participate in the aforementioned beta test beginning in the
first quarter of 2006. Thomson has also signed digital cinema equipment usage
agreements with DreamWorks SKG, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century
Fox, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros to advance its plans for the
distribution of digital cinema content and systems throughout North America.
“Curt’s specific expertise in the digital cinema space, as well as his extensive
experience in working with major Hollywood film studios, technology providers,
and other important industry stakeholders, make him ideally suited to oversee
business operations for Technicolor Digital Cinema,” said Joe Berchtold,
president of Technicolor Electronic Distribution Services, and head of
Technicolor Digital Cinema. “His proven track record of success in the
development and deployment of advanced technology solutions for motion picture
exhibition will serve the company extremely well as it executes its North
American digital cinema initiative in the coming months.”
Behlmer brings more than 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment
industries to the company as an authority in the development of technology
applications and systems solutions. Immediately prior to his arrival at
Technicolor Digital Cinema, he was managing partner and chief technology officer
of Digital Cinema Ventures, a firm specializing in providing qualified technical
resources to enable and support the film industry’s conversion to digital
delivery and exhibition. Previously, he was senior vice president of technology
at Soundelux Entertainment Group, where he was responsible for the company’s
myriad technology initiatives, including those for special venue entertainment
and digital cinema applications. Behlmer has also held executive positions with
Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, Warner Hollywood Studios, Ryder Sound Services,
Inc., and Lions Gate Films.
Behlmer is past chairman of the Digital Cinema Technology Committee for the
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Additionally, he is
a long-time member of the Audio Engineering Society, the Hollywood Post
Alliance, the Association of Moving Image Archivists, and the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Behlmer also served as governor of the
Sound Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and he is
currently a member of the Sound Branch Executive Committee, the Scientific and
Technical Awards Committee, and the Theater Standards Committee for the Academy.
In 2002, he received the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation for his
long-standing support and service to the Academy and the motion picture
industry.
