Dye Tracks in France


		www.DyeTracks.org

Dye Tracks in France March 30^th 2005
From the CST (Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son)

Since 1997, the CST (Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son), the FNCF (Fédération Nationale du Cinéma Français) and the FNDF (Fédération Nationale des Distributeurs Français) have been warning technicians involved at every stage of the 35 mm film distribution and operations chain, that major changes are taking place with regard to recording methods for analogue optical tracks on 35 mm films (see Technical Sheets N° 32 dated June 2001 and N° 12 dated December 1998, as well as our communiqué dated July 7^th 2004, on www.cst.fr; or consult the BVI circular sent out with all BVI copies since "The Village").

On July 6^th 2004 and December 7^th 2004, the Laboratories department at the CST met with professionals in this field, in order to officially confirm the conditions for the change-over to cyan analogue tracks in the manufacture and distribution of 35 mm copies in France.

Today, the situation stands as follows:

- Certain distributors have foreseen the evolution of their operations. In the United States, certain films have been screened with cyan analogue tracks.

"Winnie the Pooh and the Efelant"

^th

It has been confirmed that henceforth, all films distributed

by BVI will have cyan tracks.

- Most countries have started taking action so that their cinemas will be operational by early 2005.

- French laboratories are now technically ready for printing copies with cyan analogue soundtracks.

- As from when the cyan track copies are brought into service, French laboratories plan on a 3- month period to update all their technical equipment. This update will allow both laboratories and distributors to satisfy technical adaptation requirements.

- With regard to specific instances such as copies of historical films or copies intended for export, specific measures will be taken. These will be discussed in a separate negotiation. Extra technical trials will be carried out by the CST in collaboration with the laboratories and organisations concerned.

- At least 75 % of all French cinemas are now fitted with cyan-compatible sound reproduction units and installation schedules reveal that within the next 4 months, most of the remaining cinemas will also be equipped with these units.

Consequently, all the members present at this meeting decided to make a date for the transferral to cyan tracks for all films distributed in France.

Laboratories will start to print cyan copies, as per the distributors' request, as from March 30^th 2005. Laboratories will schedule the evolution of their production so that all copies are printed with cyan tracks as from July 1^st 2005.

It is now VITAL that all cinemas that are not yet equipped, should contact their suppliers very soon to make sure they are ready in time.

More information is available on the following Internet sites: www.cst.fr/accueil.html; www.dyetracks.org/

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