UW CINEMATHEQUE ANNOUNCES TECHNICAL UPGRADES TO 4070 VILAS HALL
UPGRADE INCLUDES NEW 35MM KINOTON PROJECTORS, REVAMPED SOUND SYSTEM AND SCREEN MASKING

When the lights went down last weekend for the UW Cinematheque’s first programs of 2012 on January 20 and 21, viewers were treated to the best possible presentation of 35mm film to be found in the region. During the Cinematheque’s programming hiatus in December and January, new 35mm projectors from custom German designers Kinoton were installed in 4070 Vilas Hall, the Cinematheque’s primary venue. The sound system in 4070 also received an upgrade, as did the masking surrounding the screen area.

Widely regarded as the best 35mm projectors available, the Kinoton FP-30s are providing a dramatically brighter and steadier image.  Their revolutionary electronic shutter will allow us to project silent films (such as Josef von Sternberg’s The Docks of New York, screening on February 11) at the correct speed without any flicker, providing a much smoother presentation.  The room's sound system has received an overhaul: we have repositioned the speakers behind the screen and added soundproofing to attune the room for enhanced acoustic performance.  Our Dolby processor has received an upgrade that will improve the noise floor in the room.  Finally, the masking has been replaced with non-reflective material, creating crisper, more defined edges around the image.

The new projectors and upgrades were made possible through generous gifts from the Hamel Family and other alumni of the Department of Communication Arts, David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, and Drs. Daniel and Evelyn McMillan.

For additional information, contact:
Jim Healy, (608) 263-9643, jehealy@wisc.edu

See you at the Movies!

Jim Healy, Director of Programming

If you prefer to peruse the Cinematheque's film schedule in a document format, we have provided the Spring 2012 Press Release in PDF form.