Grand Theater forced to go digital

By Ken Johnston
Editor

The Grand Theater in Baudette, which is frequented by many people from this side of the border, has to go digital and it is not cheap.
Jason Breuer of the Grand Theater board of directors said, “Nationally, the theater industry is moving to digital projection of movies as a cost savings measure since film versions are more expensive to create than digital copies. By April 2013, film versions of movies will not be available. The theater will need to convert to digital projection or have to run only those older movies that are available in film format. New release movies will not be available.”
The Grand Theater needs to convert to digital projection by the end of April 2013. Estimates put the cost of the upgrade at $68,000 U.S. To date the theater has raised about $23,000 U.S.
“We continue to do fundraising and seek other donations to help with the cost. We have also signed on to participate in a virtual print fee program. The program has funds that are paid to theaters that run movies in the first five weeks after release. The amount of funds paid is prorated based on when the movie is shown with the first week of release providing the highest virtual print fee funds,” explained Breuer.
There are no grants available for this project, however, the theater board has secured financing though the Direct Community Investment program from Catholic Health Initiatives. This funding is an interest free loan for five years. Further fundraising and donations are needed to fully fund the completion of this project.
In addition to being able to show new release films, movie goers will notice an improvement in picture and sound quality.
The new digital format will allow better access to newer movies as well. “We are currently having difficulty with obtaining film versions of new releases. Our movie distributor has worked to provide the new release movies for the theater but due to limited production of film versions of movies we have had difficulty with obtaining some movies. The theater companies are making more versions of digital copies of movies so we should see more access to these movies with the digital conversion,” said Breuer.
Grand Theater is currently planning for the conversion to digital in October of this year but we will continue to pursue funding to help cover the overall cost.
People can donate by dropping off donations at the theater or stop by Border State Bank in Baudette as there is a theater projector account that has been set-up.