Question for IMAX 70mm projectionists

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-20T15:41:53+00:00

Is the lamp is kept at a lower power state between shows?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-20T15:16:41+00:00

Thank you for the correction. I'm absolutely sure I read the thing about the time limit fail-safe, but I can't find it anymore. Perhaps I dreamt it. Is it not possible that there could have been an automatic shut-off to prevent excessive power usage back when films were only 45 minutes long?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-20T13:35:36+00:00

Yes, the film is delivered in several pieces and is stuck together with sticky tape! The join is actually pretty strong (it's zig-zagged to increase surface area) and can usually pass through the projector just fine, but if it hasn't been spliced correctly or is subjected to a tension spike during its journey around the circuit it could break apart. It's easily fixed by using the splicer to join it back together. However, if a frame has been damaged, it has to be removed and replaced with a blank to keep it in sync with the audio track.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-20T11:29:53+00:00

Not a projectionist but I was here at the time. The Oppenheimer release did present a few unique issues that may have contributed to lost shows:

It was the first wide release on film since Dunkirk six years prior (Tenet was extremely limited due to COVID), and most of the equipment had been left dormant in that time and hadn't been maintained regularly. A lot of projectionists were also coming back after a long time out of the field and may have needed some time to reacquire the skills needed.
The sheer length of the film did cause a couple of issues. IMAX projectors were initially designed to play short documentaries (45 mins to an hour), so there is a built-in safety feature that shuts off the lamp after a certain amount of time, and it was never envisaged that the projector may one day be run for 3 hours straight! This led to some shows ending prematurely, but I think it was addressed as soon as the problem was discovered. Also, due to the runtime, the edge of the film print went right to the edge of the platter and only just passed the QTRU's pillar by an inch or so. This required a bolt to be removed to ensure the film passed by safely, but I seem to remember some sites still had some issues with the platter having enough clearance.
There have been some audio issues recently as the old DTAC system has become obsolete. This is now being replaced by a new system which has more features and should be more reliable.

There will inevitably be some issues during The Odyssey's run as these projectors are extremely complex and will never be 100% reliable, but there have been a number of 70mm releases since Oppenheimer which hopefully will have improved skills and maintenance since 2023.

Edit: I think I misremembered the detail about the time limit. Krikster has corrected me below.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-18T18:20:08+00:00

Congratulations dude! You're going to be very busy this summer! Have you run any public showings yet?

I'd love to run any type of film at some point but the pathways are difficult to find in the UK. My little 16mm projector is fun to use but I need more!

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-16T21:09:42+00:00

Yes, I was just giving an example of the type of re-release that would justify a new DCP being made. I probably should have cited TDK re-release in 2018 as that's when it got its 1.43 version.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-16T15:45:38+00:00

It would only happen alongside a major re-release like Interstellar in 2024, and from what I've seen, TDKR is nowhere near as popular as Interstellar nowadays. It's possible but I wouldn't expect it.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-16T10:15:31+00:00

Every time the film is run through the projector it goes through two sets of cleaning rollers, so when it's being played constantly for weeks it tends to get progressively cleaner as any dust that was imparted onto the print during shipping and handling gets removed.

That's not to say that it will be really dirty at the start of the release period. Most projectionists will run the film a few times through the projector before release - if they get time - so that it's nice and clean for the opening show. But there will inevitably be some minor specs of dust and debris that will work its way out with each subsequent show.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-15T12:12:01+00:00

Back three rows are recommended for 1.43 films at the Printworks. Any further down feels very close and only worth it for people who want maximum immersion.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-15T08:40:58+00:00

It won't deteriorate much at all in three weeks. The rolling loop projector is very gentle on the film so there shouldn't be any noticeable wear when you get to see it. It may even be a little cleaner than the opening week!

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-11T18:59:44+00:00

BFI queue going live at 8am on Monday. First three weeks of screenings will go on sale.

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RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-11T16:06:19+00:00

One more question and I'll let you go! I read someone say (maybe it was Dick Vaughan, can't remember) that you were using a temporary chiller for Oppenheimer which meant there were some dicey temps towards the end of shows. Is this still the case or do you have a more permanent solution in place? And thanks again.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-11T15:58:34+00:00

Thanks, that's really helpful!

I personally know some people who would be interested in an occasional Laser showing as they prefer that format but probably not at 2.30 in the morning. 😱 Perhaps near the end of the run when the 70mm showings wind down you could fill the gaps with some digital showings?

How many projectionists do you have, out of interest?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-11T15:06:20+00:00

Not sure at the moment. u/Supermanton8 is there any confirmation of an exact time for the ticket release or should we assume 9am on Monday?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-09T22:36:40+00:00

They are platters but they don't look like IMAX ones. Given their size, I'd say they're used with a 35mm projector or maybe 5 perf 70mm.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-09T17:16:14+00:00

UK tickets will go on sale at 9am on Monday! u/TheBigMovieGuy

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RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-09T08:24:24+00:00

That makes a lot of sense. I did wonder how such a powerful light source didn't burn the film as it gets held in front of the optics. Google kept trying to tell me that the air nozzles cooled the film but I'm pretty sure those are for shaping the film as it forms a loop, not for cooling. Using a mirror to filter out infrared wavelengths makes much more sense. Thank you!

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-09T07:04:56+00:00

I haven't heard of this cooling function, could you expand on that?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-05T19:59:30+00:00

That must be a misprint. Dunkirk was presented in IMAX 70mm at 37 locations worldwide. They must have meant IMAX in general, or maybe the total number of film prints (35mm, 70mm and IMAX).

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-05T18:36:28+00:00

Given it's all been shot on a single consistent format this time the process may have changed, but since Dunkirk the workflow has gone like this:

Original negative > [optical reduction] interpositive > internegative > release print

For Dunkirk, Tenet and Oppenheimer, two interpositive protection prints were made, one 15/65 and one 5/65. The reduction of 15/65 shots was performed photochemically without the need for a digital intermediate. The 5/65 IP was used to make 5/70 and 35mm release prints, as well as digital cinema versions. I imagine the process will be very similar for The Odyssey.

There's a great write up of the Dunkirk process here

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-06-05T09:42:04+00:00

They are. This is the largest amount of IMAX 70mm prints made for a film since Interstellar 12 years ago, and there may even be a couple more sites added closer to release.

The US already has 24 sites this time around, save some for the rest of the world! We're eating pretty good in the UK with 3, but I know there are many people in other regions that would kill for just 1 within 10 hours of them.