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| October 11, 2012 Shelton Mason County Journal |  |
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October 11, 2012 |
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BUStNESSBRIEFS
Journa phOtO D, Gordon Weeks
This 35-millimeter film at the Shelton Cinemas is about to go the way of the 8-track tape: Hollywood movie
studios are converting to digital films, and it might cost the two Shelton theaters as much as $200,000 to buy
the equipment to make the conversion.
•
By GORDON WEEKS
Dorothea Mayes. owner of the Shelton
Cinemas and the Skyline Drive-In. first
heard industry rumblings about 10 years
ago that Hollywood movie studios would
convert their offerings from 35-millimeter
film to digital movies.
"I didn't think it necessarily was going
to happen." said Mayes. who also books
films for independent theaters throughout
the country. "I think a lot of small-town
cheater owners didn't."
When the word came that Hollywood
will soon no longer distribute 35-millime-
ter films. Mayes said her reaction was.
"Oh my God. how are we going to get that
done?"
Mayes said she now faces a "daunting"
task: making the conversion to digital at
both of her Shelton theaters.
Converting the two indoor screens to
new digital projectors will cost almost
$100.000. Mayes said she is hoping to buy
used equipment, which would probably
cost between $60.000 and $70,000. She's
also hoping to find a used digital projector
for the drive-in, which also will probably
cost $60.000 to $70. 000.
Mayes predicts the industry conversion
to digital will probably be complete by next
summer.
"For most of us. it would behoove us to
have it done by the end of the year," she
said.
To raise money to pay for the conver-
sion. Shelton Cinemas is presenting anni-
versary showings of classic, movies, includ-
ing the 40th anniversary of "The Godfa-
ther" tonight: the 30th anniversary of "An
Officer and a Gentleman" Oct. 18: and the
20th anniversary of "The Bodyguard" on
Oct. 25. The special screenings will con-
tinue through November.
Shelton Cinemas is also selling plaques
t6 raise money. A $50 donation will get
you a 1-by-4-inch plaque with three lines
of text at the entrance to the auditorium.
while $150 offers a 2-by-4-inch plaque on
the back of a theater seat. Business own-
ers can support the theater by donating
$300 for a supporting role package that
includes a wall plaque, six months of on-
screen advertising and online recognition
that includes a link to the business web-
site; or a $500 starring role package that
includes a seat plaque, a year of on-screen
advertising, and online recognition and
links.
A new digital projector at the drive-in
could cost as much as $100.000. because it
must project the film from 500 feet away
at a screen that measures 40-by-60 feet.
Mayes said.
Another challenge for outdoor theater
owners is "you operate it six months out
of the year. and pay for it 12 months out
of the year," Mayes said. Offering outdoor
movies in western Washington is "a lit-
tle bit like farming - you depend on the
weather," she said.
Kathy Beimer, manager of the Shelton
Cinemas for eight years, said the conver-
sion to digital projectors won't change her
job much. She estimates that 96 percent of
her job is selling tickets and snacks.
"Everything we do with the film is be-
hind the scenes, when no one is here," she
said.
Cutting the ribbon
Journal photo by Gordon Weeks
Cutting the ribbon to officially open Shelton Wine and Liquor on Friday were, from left, Heidi McCutcheon,
Julie Hanson, Ian Murphey, Shelton Mayor Gary Cronce, Brandon Koch, Drew MacEwen, Anna Gilman and
Kari Kling.
Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Oct. 11,2012 - Page B-3
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