exhibition briefs the new group. “Both SF Bio and Finnkino are growing profitably today. Together, we gain the power to invest further.” Películas en español n With Hispanics going to the movies more often than any other demographic, Digiplex Destinations has launched a Spanish-language screening program of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. The special engagements started with G.I. Joe: Retaliation with showtimes on April 1, 8, and 15. “The Latino populations in San Diego, San Bernardino, and Berks Counties have grown substantially in recent years,” says Digiplex president and CEO Bud <strong>May</strong>o. “These special engagements will give multi-generational Latino families the opportunity to enjoy great motion picture entertainment together by bridging language gaps.” To that end, only G, PG, or PG-13 films will screen in the program, and many will feature Spanish audio tracks with English subtitles so speakers of both languages can enjoy the films together. Other movies in the series include Oblivion on April 22 and 29, Iron Man 3 on <strong>May</strong> 6 and 13, Star Trek Into Darkness on <strong>May</strong> 20, and Epic on <strong>May</strong> 27. Additional titles will be announced as they become available. 3D Mirage n In its third deal with a Russian exhibitor, RealD has pacted with the Mirage Cinema Group to equip up to 60 auditoriums throughout the country with 3D technology. The move follows similar agreements with Karo Films and Kinomax. Installation has already begun. “This agreement with Mirage further demonstrates our continued focus on growth in the Russian market,” says Robert <strong>May</strong>son, managing director of RealD Europe. “We look forward to quickly ramping up our installations across the Mirage circuit to ensure that Russian cinemagoers have the opportunity to enjoy a premium, bright, and realistic RealD 3D visual experience for the upcoming summer and holiday film seasons.” The RealD rollout will remove and replace a competitor’s 3D systems. Mirage operates 10 theaters with 62 screens in the Russian Federation. An Imax Imax Imax world n Imax Corporation is expanding in both Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe with cinema deals in Indonesia and Turkey. The large-format exhibitor has inked to build eight theaters for Cinema 21, Indonesia’s largest exhibitor. The circuit already has one Imax screen in Gandaria City, South Jakarta, and another one on the way in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. And Imax has pacted with Mars Entertainment Group to install three theaters in cities throughout Turkey. Mars already has two Imax screens in operation in Ankara and Istanbul. “We continue to deliver on our objective to GoPicnic and a movie n For the health-conscious moviegoer, the concession stand doesn’t traditionally offer many good-for-you (or at least not badfor-you) alternatives to popcorn and soda. Regal has set out to change that with four healthy ready-to-eat meals from GoPicnic. The prepackaged menu choices are now available in more than 500 locations. “Regal constantly tests new menu items and listens to our guests,” says Rob Del Moro, Regal’s chief purchasing officer. “We found a significant number of moviegoers who sampled the gluten-free, lower-calorie GoPicnic meals were pleased to see this option available and would be interested in purchasing it again on their next visit.” The GoPicnic meals consist of five individually wrapped food items that are gluten-free with 400 calories or less and no artificial colors or flavors, trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, or added MSG. Options include Turkey Stick & Crunch, Hummus & Crackers, Turkey Pepperoni & Cheese, and Black Bean Dip & Plantain Chips. expand our international footprint,” says IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “With a focus on tailoring our programming in international markets and partnering with leading international exhibitors … we expect to set the stage for continued growth.” Killer fanticipation n Want to know what movies your customers are excited about? Check out “Fanticipation,” Fandango’s new weekly metric that measures moviegoer enthusiasm to forecast which films will connect with consumers at the weekend box office. The Fanticipation Movie Picks rate films on a scale of one to 100 to gauge user buzz about current and upcoming titles. To come up with the number, Fandango crunches proprietary consumer data collected from 41 million monthly visitors to its online and mobile sites, the social media engagement of its fans, and advance ticket sales. “Fanticipation captures Fandango’s unique ability to tap into moviegoer buzz and will be a great feature for both the industry and consumers,” says company president Paul Yanover. The online ticketer has also launched Weekend Ticket, a new digital video series hosted by Dave Karger. “Our goal with Weekend Ticket is to connect moviegoers with the perfect film based on what kind of experience they’re looking for,” Karger says. “Along with my own recommendations on each week’s releases, I’m excited to have input from the film’s stars, as well as from Fandango’s engaged audience and our new data on movie buzz from Fanticipation.” Weekend Ticket connects viewers to Fandango’s advance ticketing for 20,000 screens nationwide for the films featured on the show. Laser tag n In a two-week real-world trial, Christie installed its laser projection technology at the AMC Burbank 16 for public showings of G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Thought to be the world’s first commercial demonstration of a laser projection system, the test run projected an image on the 65-foot-wide ETX screen at 14 foot-Lamberts (fL). 3D movies typically screen at much lower brightness levels, around 3-4 fL. “This test of our laser technology will demonstrate how spectacularly a moviemaker’s vision can be realized when shown at light levels normally only possible for 2D movies,” says Dr. Don Shaw, senior director of product management at Christie. “Audiences … will see a significant increase in the typical contrast ratio for 3D on a crystal-clear 4K projector, and we’re confident that the average moviegoer will relish this new level of immersive experience.” Laser projection also lowers operating costs, reduces power consumption compared to xenon lamps, and increases system life spans. 8 BoxOffice ® <strong>Pro</strong> The Business of Movies may <strong>2013</strong>
WE ARE PROUD TO SPOTLIGHT THE <strong>2013</strong> CINEMACON HONOREES AND A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AND <strong>2013</strong> N.A.T.O. MARQUEE AWARD RECIPIENT CONGRATS, AMY FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT
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