Home/Menu > Find News > Refresh this page

Wokingham, UK—Sep 30, 2016

Ang Lee Makes Cinema History with Christie® Mirage 3D Projector

“At 120 frames per second your eyes get greedy,” said Hollywood film director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi) at the EMEA first-showing of his latest film, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, at a landmark 120fps, 4K 3D and with an astonishing 28 foot-lamberts per eye brightness as part of this year’s IBC Big Screen Experience. It was one of many notable quotes on Monday’s conference of which Lee was keynote speaker.

Long-standing show director Julian Pinn opened the session promising, “I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say this is cinema history in the making.” Further underlining what the audience was shortly to experience, Pinn added the clips would be shown on, “…the Christie®Mirage, the only projector capable of showing 120fps, 3D, 4K at 28 foot-lamberts.”

Ang Lee discusses his latest film with Julian Pinn at IBC 2016

Clips from Ang Lee’s soon-to-be-released film from Sony TriStar Pictures, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016) - the story of a soldier who fought in the Iraq war - were then shown. The Christie Mirage Series is widely used in demanding applications such as 3D visualization, visitor attractions or theme park rides, since it is able to achieve said high frame rate and resolution, stemming from Christie’s investment in its TruLife™ electronics platform with an industry-leading video-processing pipeline of up to 1.2 Gigapixels per second.

Pinn had spent some 18 months working to bring the experience to IBC and the keynote session was not only memorable for the audience’s reaction to seeing the movie clips but for the insights that emerged from the on-stage discussion between the movie’s team; director Ang Lee, technical supervisor, Ben Gervais; the film’s editor Tim Squyres; and Scot Barbour, Head of Production Technology, Sony Pictures Entertainment. For the 9-minute clip, the two Christie Mirage 4KLHs, the laser-light powered version of the original Xenon-lamp based Mirage, were installed in the auditorium, and a team of Christie engineers supported the screenings.

Ang Lee is known for both his dramatic storytelling and his embracing of new technologies, such as his 3D Life of Pi. Lee said the production team had decided to make the film in 120fps because HFR removes many of the limitations associated with 24fps 3D. However Ben Gervais revealed, “We never necessarily intended to see this film that way because none of us had ever seen (120fps, 4K) and finally one week before shooting we managed to get a set of (Mirage) projectors from Christie and all of us were awestruck. We hadn’t seen anything like it before.”

Screening Room Benefited from Latest in Projection Technology
They started shooting and Tim Squyres, the movie’s editor said, “I had to cut at the highest resolution I could which was 60fps. We were on the edge of what the system could do. Then Christie came in with the Mirages; they brought the Christie projectors into our editing room. We had the best screening room on the planet. Ideally we wanted to see it as near as possible to how it was shot.”

Being able to see what they were shooting daily in 120fps 4K had immediate impact during the shoot as Ang Lee explained, referencing scenes set in Iraq, “We could see everything in that burning sunlight. We saw we couldn’t use make-up.” Commenting on the clarity and realism, he expanded with great honesty adding, “That’s the scary part, you see the acting!” However, he also relished the artistic advantages. “Most preciously to me were the faces. The film language has to change. I didn’t have much choice (filming) but to stick close to Billy Lynn. You feel how they feel, see the thoughts in their eyes.”

The discussion touched on what Pinn had described as, “how the interplay of art and science come together.” Lee’s view of this was, “It’s humbling. Artists respond to what technology is giving us. I would go so far as to say this is a moment in cinematic history. I pick it up and take a leap of faith. I want to stress that the picture is captured so every format (from 24fps to 120 fps) is improved in my opinion.” An interesting observation from Lee and his team was that the chemistry between art and technology differs at each level of frame rate and resolution. “But every level has its own merit,” Lee observed. “The compensation is the art. I think story telling brings wisdom to life. We are always telling stories. It’s how you tell a story that makes the difference.” And the arch story-teller is taking current projection technology to explore this art further. “I think the artist and the industry has a lot of catching up. I’ll leave cameramen to figure out how. Now we are just beginning.”

Christie Mirage: Unmatched video processing bandwidth
The Christie Mirage series featuring TruLife’s processing bandwidth is seen in amusement parks, casinos, museums and public venues. The Christie^® Mirage 4KLH projector head – the laser version used at the IBC screening – combines Mirage’s unmatched video processing bandwidth with the world’s brightest laser system, Christie Freedom® laser illumination system. The projector has a potential of up to 60,000 lumens per head, potentially up to 120,000 lumens when used in a dual 6P configuration (six primary colour system). In the Rai Auditorium at IBC, the configuration was a dual stacked Mirage 4KLH configuration; the 28 foot-lambert spec on the 17.00m wide x 6.69m high Harkness Matt Plus screen required 72, 000 lumen and the laser modules were supplied accordingly. One advantage of the Christie Freedom laser illumination system is that the laser banks are separate from the projector, stackable and scalable.

Christie Contacts:

Chiara Lawrance
Account Manager
Wildwood PR
+44 (0)1293 851115
chiara.lawrance@wildwoodpr.com

Cindy Symons
Media Relations & PR Manager EMEA
Christie
+44 (0)118 977 8000
cindy.symons@christiedigital.com

Christie Links and Information:

Professional Services

Christie Digital Cinema

Cinema Solutions

Christie Vive Audio

Media Gallery

About Christie: Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual and audio technologies company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ushio Inc., Japan (JP: 6925). Christie revolutionized the movie industry with the launch of digital cinema projection, and since 1929 has embraced innovation and broken many technology barriers. From the world’s largest mega-events to the smallest applications, our technology—from advanced RGB pure laser and SDVoE technology to image processing and LED display solutions—empowers people to create the world’s best shared experiences. Visit www.christiedigital.com. Christie Directory page Christie Web Site

Tags:

3D 4K High Frame Rates

Source:

Christie (Cypress)

Countries:

United Kingdom

Share This Page

More Christie News:

Oct 14, 2021 Christie Projection Showcases Cinema Talent at BFI London Film Festival

Christie® is pleased to announce its powerful CP4440-RGB projector will be used as the flagship projection technology at the 65th annual BFI London Film Festival (LFF), running October 6-17, 2021.

Oct 4, 2021 Christie Welcomes Return to In-Person CineEurope

Christie®, a global leader in audio visual technology, is excited to join the European cinema industry once again at CineEurope in Barcelona, from October 4-7 at Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB). Christie will be at booth MR 134 for the 30th year of the show, the first in-person CineEurope event since 2019.

Sep 30, 2021 Christie Display Solutions Help the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Shine A Light on Moviemaking

Christie® is pleased to announce that it’s supporting the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with projection and display technology and Professional Services. The Academy Museum is located in the movie capital of the world – Los Angeles – and opens to the public today.

Sep 16, 2021 Big World Cineplex Chooses Christie RGB Laser Projection for its Flagship Multiplex in Wuxi

Christie® is pleased to announce that Big World Cineplex has chosen its state-of-the-art RGB laser cinema projection systems for its flagship multiplex located in Wuxi, a prominent historical and cultural city in China’s Jiangsu province.

Sep 9, 2021 Christie helps Toronto International Film Festival welcome guests back to theatres as the Official Digital Projection Partner

Christie® is pleased to celebrate its 21st year as the Official Digital Projection Partner of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Running September 9-18th, the 46th edition of TIFF will feature in-person and outdoor screenings, as well as the return of digital screenings, with more venues.

Aug 23, 2021 Christie CP4415-RGB and CP4420-RGB Deliver High-End Cinema Performance for Smaller Screens

Christie® is pleased to introduce the CP4415-RGB and CP4420-RGB, a pair of premium RGB pure laser projectors delivering advanced, yet affordable, DCI compliant cinema projection. Suited to small-screen auditoriums, boutique cinema, post-production, screening rooms and more, these all-in-one projectors deliver an outstanding cinematic experience with 4K resolution.

Aug 19, 2021 Christie Set to Welcome Attendees Back to CinemaCon 2021 with Lineup of New RGB Pure Laser Projectors and UV Disinfection Device for Cinema

CinemaCon 2021 is just around the corner and Christie® is excited to welcome the industry back for the 10th celebration of CinemaCon, the official convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), on August 23-26, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Aug 6, 2021 Ambassador Theatres Chooses Christie Cinema Solutions for its Taipei and Taichung Multiplexes

Christie® is pleased to announce that Ambassador Theatres, one of the largest movie theatre chains in Taiwan, has chosen its state-of-the-art cinema solutions for two multiplexes located in Taipei and Taichung.

Jul 19, 2021 Christie’s RGB Pure Laser Cinema Projection at Sunshine Palace, Jamaica’s Newest Multiplex

Christie® is pleased to announce that the Jamaican cinema chain Palace Amusement Company has opened a new four-screen multiplex in Portmore Pines, St Catherine, featuring Christie digital cinema projection throughout, including an RGB pure laser projector, the first of its kind in the country. CES+ (Cinema Equipment & Supplies) carried out the installation.

Jul 15, 2021 CGV Opens “All-Christie” RGB Pure Laser Multiplex in Chungju City

Christie® is pleased to announce that CGV, the largest multiplex cinema chain in South Korea, has opened a new complex in Chungju city that’s fully equipped with its RGB pure laser cinema projectors featuring Christie Real|Laser™ illumination technology.

Jul 12, 2021 Multicines Opens A 100% RGB Pure Laser Multiplex in Ecuador with Christie

The Ecuadorian cinema chain Multicines has just opened a new multiplex in the city of Guayaquil in which all 11 screens are fully equipped with Christie® RGB pure laser projectors. The installation was carried out by CES+ (Cinema Equipment & Supplies).

Jul 6, 2021 Christie Set for RGB Pure Laser Debut at Europe’s Most Glamorous Film Festival

Christie® is once again delighted to be the projection technology partner for the Cannes Film Festival. For the 2021 festival, which runs July 6–17, Christie’s RGB pure laser projectors will brighten up the screens for the first time. It will be the first in-person edition of the Cannes Film Festival since 2019, and Christie will provide installation and show support for the occasion, as it celebrates its 15th year as technical partner.

Jun 17, 2021 Christie’s Professional Services Expands Services and Adds New Directors

Christie® is pleased to announce the appointments of Francois Godfrey and Maz Zaeefjou to the Professional Services team as directors of sales and business development. Christie Professional Services helps partners across the globe to prolong the life of their AV systems and get the most from their investment by proactively maintaining, troubleshooting, and resolving critical system issues.

Jun 17, 2021 Screen Set to Shine Brightly at Toronto’s Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival

Christie® will be lighting up the big screen again this year at the Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival, co-hosted by the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) taking place at Toronto’s Ontario Place from June 27-July 17, 2021.

Jun 15, 2021 Christie Demonstrates Leadership in PLF Projection and RGB Pure Laser Technology at Cinemas Shanghai International Film Forum and Exhibition

Christie® will be displaying its leadership in Premium Large Format (PLF) projection and RGB pure laser technology at the CinemaS Shanghai International Film Forum and Exhibition (CinemaS), to be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center from June 16-18.

Jun 15, 2021 Thirteen Years of Strong Partnership: Christie Provides Projection Support for the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival

Christie®, a leader in creating and delivering the world’s best visual and audio experiences, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) for the 13th consecutive year.

Jun 10, 2021 Supercines Opens Ecuador’s Biggest Multiplex with Christie

Supercines, Ecuador’s largest cinema chain, has recently opened a 16-screen multiplex in the city of Guayaquil, outfitted entirely with Christie® cinema solutions, including RGB pure laser projectors, Christie Vive Audio® and LCD digital signage displays. The project was carried out by T&T Cinema LLC integrators who supplied and installed all the Christie equipment in the stunning new complex.

Jun 2, 2021 Christie rewards ‘Most Promising’ NFTS cinematic talent

In partnership with the National Film and Theatre School (NFTS), this year’s coveted Christie® prize for ‘Most Promising NFTS Student’ was awarded to Charlie Jenkins, NFTS Graduate in Cinematography.

May 27, 2021 Christie Technology to Play Starring Role in Redevelopment of BAFTA’s Iconic Headquarters

Christie® has been chosen by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) as a technology partner for its redeveloped headquarters at 195 Piccadilly in London.

Apr 8, 2021 Aquarium of the Pacific Adds Versatility to Theater with Christie RGB Pure Laser Cinema Projector

The Honda Pacific Visions Theater, the centerpiece of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s 2019 expansion, was recently outfitted with a Christie® RGB pure laser cinema projector. The Christie CP4330-RGB projector allows the Aquarium to showcase a range of content, including DCI-compliant films, and media developed by the Aquarium.


	Christie is a leader in visual solutions for world-class organizations, offering diverse applications for business, entertainment, and industry. A leading innovator in film projection since 1929 and a pioneer in projection systems since 1979, Christie has established a global reputation as a total service provider and the world's single source manufacturer of a variety of display technologies and solutions. Christie offers comprehensive solutions for cinema, large audience venues, control rooms, business presentations, training facilities, 3D and Virtual Reality, simulation and education as well as industrial and government environments. Christie Home Page Local Directory Page Recent News