Digital era to begin Friday at local theater
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The Rogers City Theater is ready to roll out the red carpet for the re-opening of the historic downtown movie house.
Owner Karl Heidemann is ready to open his doors and begin the digital era in Rogers City with the showing of the Disney movie “Saving Mr. Banks.”
It also should be a more pleasurable movie experience for local movie fans with the installation of new seats in the middle section. The project was completely funded by an Internet-based Kickstarter campaign, which drew donations from many people.
The theater has been closed since the Dec. 21, 2013.
The biggest change is in the projection booth as the new digital projector took three days to install.
“It’s a really big computer with a lightbulb in it,” said Heidemann. “A really big lightbulb. It is 2,000 watts.”
He had to obtain and install a special fan to exhaust it, because it is temperature sensitive.
It is one of many changes in the booth. There is a new, larger window so the projector can send the images to the screen.
The projector has a regular lens for displaying 2-D movies, which easily can be changed by sliding the 3-D prism in front of the light. Heidemann selected a digital projector equipped with RealD XL.
“From what I have heard and experienced, this is the best that there is,” said Heidemann.
And patrons won’t have to wait long for the first 3-D movie, as the box office hit “Frozen,” will be shown the following week.
For those who have shied away from the 3-D experience because of surcharges to use the glasses in other theater, that won’t be happening in Rogers City.
Heidemann will not be increasing prices for 2-D movies, nor charging anything for using the glasses. Not for “Frozen,” or any other 3-D movies. He has paid for the royalties for their use, at $1 a seat, using Kickstarter funding.
“I paid that in advance for five years, from the Kickstarter money,” said Heidemann. “I cannot charge the people who donated twice for the same thing.” He added that is a gift from everybody who gave to everybody who comes.
The digital copy is sent on a hard drive and downloaded into the projector, but he cannot show it until he receives a code.
“I have rented the movie from Friday through Monday,” he said. “I cannot show it on Thursday, and I cannot show it on Tuesday.”
Each seat armrest has a drink holder at the end. Plus, there is lots of elbow and legroom. For the hearing impaired, Heidemann has special headphones that pick up an infrared signal that is sent out over the auditorium.
In December, he announced that he wants the Rogers City Theater to be a “destination theater” in the area. With the new upgrades and no extra charge for 3-D viewing, it is certainly headed in that direction.
Friday’s movie will not only be historic, but festive, as the owner will be giving out free popcorn. He wants it to be a party atmosphere. It certainly is a reason to celebrate.