The FunTime Cinemas, a specialty exhibitor with three cinemas in Pennsylvania, has completed its conversion to digital projection at its Kendig location using the Christie® Solaria One, an all-in-one DLP-Cinema® solution designed especially for independent and community-owned theatres.
“All six Kendig Square screens have Christie Solaria One projectors and the reaction from customers has been fantastic,” says Ronda Fitzsimmons, president of FunTime Cinemas, Inc., of Willow Street, PA. “They love the picture and sound improvements and were relieved that we had made the change and will remain in business in their area.
“We were already having some delays in getting film prints, and many prints were coming in badly scratched, so we were requesting replacement films more often. Digital format fixes this problem, and in any case we knew film prints would be phased out completely by the end of the year,” she adds.
With cinemas in Kendig Square in Willow Street, South York Plaza York and Colonial Park Mall Harrisburg, FunTime Cinemas specialize in youth and family movies at economy prices. The company also offers private screenings and parties, a customer newsletter and advertising opportunities for local businesses, which are easier to include with digital.
The Solaria One was installed by Integrity Entertainment Systems, LLC. “We recommend the Christie Solaria One for smaller screens because it is the most cost-effective choice for quality screening, adaptability and reliable support options,” says Gary Engvold, president of Integrity. “With features such as the built-in media block, the Solaria One can be easily upgraded to show high frame rate (HFR) movies. Overall, the Solaria One gives smaller exhibitors everything they need in a single purchase, backed up with long-term support.”
The exhibitor was very pleased with Integrity’s customized service and expertise. “The Integrity people are really wonderful to work with, and our representative bent over backwards to help me understand the things we absolutely had to have for digital to run, plus advised me as to what extras made the most difference” says Fitzsimmons. “Integrity’s installer was super helpful in guiding us through the new setup. I’m pleased with everything they’ve done for us, and plan to use them in the future for the remaining locations we have to convert.”
Craig Sholder, vice president, entertainment solutions at Christie, says that Christie is committed to helping the independents enjoy the same quality solutions as bigger exhibitors. “We want them to be able to achieve top quality digital projection at a price they can afford. Our Solaria One projector, our global network of first-rate installation partners such as Integrity and our participation in industry programs to help them finance the change are just some of the ways we’re serving this important market sector.”
The best possible movie-going experience is achieved by arming exhibitors, particularly those tens of thousands of smaller, independent and community theaters worldwide that have not yet converted from film to digital projection, with an “all-in-one” solution and the Christie Solaria One fits the bill perfectly. Whether it’s alternative content or packaged, feature film content in 2D or 3D, Christie’s product is a safe, secure and DCI-compliant choice – the easy choice – for exhibitors intent on delivering awesome experiences to their customers. And it can be easily upgraded to show high frame rate (HFR) movies as well, using its built-in Christie IMB (Integrated Media Block).
