ChristieA® is helping the Fox Berkshire theatre, Reading, Pa., enter the modern age of digital cinema, following the complete upgrades of its eight screens exclusively with Christie SolariaA® Series projectors. Formerly the Wyomissing 8, the facility recently celebrated its return to the Fox Theatres family after being under different management since 1996.
The movie house’s integrator and one of Christie’s preferred partners, Entertainment Supply & Technology (ES&T), selected Christie’s Managed Services team to install eight DCI-compliant Christie projectors, including two Christie CP2230s, one Christie CP2220, and five Christie CP2210s. As part of the agreement, Christie’s Managed Services team, in addition to projection, provided an integrated hardware package comprised of sound, networking and theatre management systems and will continue to provide onsite technical field services and 24/7 remote monitoring and telephone support through its Network Operations Center.
Donald Fox, President of Fox Theatres, has been pleased with the progress. “ES&T was instrumental in readying the facility for the conversion, and in the timely delivery and installation of all the equipment,” he said. “Working with Christie’s Managed Services team, they had Fox Berkshire up and running in time to show all the holiday blockbusters. Christie projectors wowed our audiences with the exceptional clarity, brilliant colors, and sharpness of the images. They were a hit right from the start.”
“Fox Theatres has a long history of entertaining the local community, ensuring that movie-goers get the best possible cinematic experience,” noted Sean James, vice president, Managed Services, Christie. “ES&T and Christie have always been strong supporters of independent chains like Fox Theatres, which are vital to the economic health of the communities they serve.”
Christie projectors will also feature strongly in the future of Fox Berkshire, according to ES&T, which said it looks forward to installing them at four new screens scheduled to go up in 2013. These include a large-format theater with a giant screen, which will be added to the complex during the second phase of renovations. Total revitalization plans include adding DolbyA® Surround 7.1 in all the auditoriums, renovating the lobby, entrance, restrooms, concession stand, and signage, as well as installing new seating in existing rooms.
According to Bruce Schneiter, vice president of technical services, ES&T, the smooth installation of Christie projectors was a reflection of the experience and professionalism of ES&T. “We are a strong advocate of performing thorough field checks and site surveys at the client’s location prior to the delivery of the equipment, ensuring a perfect match of components, fast and efficient installation, and minimum downtime.
“ES&T is committed to helping exhibitors realize their vision of designing modern facilities that reflect the latest innovations in lobby and auditorium design, as well as digital entertainment,” Schneiter continued. “Our association with Christie has always been strong, built upon our mutual commitment to providing our customers with the highest quality products and technical support.”
Added Craig Sholder, vice president, Entertainment Solutions for Christie: “We are very pleased that Christie projectors were selected to bring the movie-viewing experience to the next level of entertainment for the people of Wyomissing, with cutting-edge technology that includes High Frame Rate (HFR) and 3D digital cinema capabilities. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with ES&T to help exhibitors across the country make the move to digital.”
