Everyone knows that conventional multiplex projection is one of the most technically bankrupt stages of the modern film industry, but some people still take it seriously. Among them: Terrence Malick, arguably cinema's reigning perfectionist and reportedly a recent penpal to projectionists screening his latest dazzler, The Tree of Life.
According to the San Diego Reader, Malick issued a dictum laying out proper standards of projection for his film, a visually stunning, Cannes-winning opus that was likely conceived before most of the wage slaves manning the reels as Tree rolls out nationwide. Among his advisories:
Malick begins by cushioning his "fraternal salute" by pointing out the obvious: "Proper theatre projection is fast becoming a forgotten art." He asks projectionists to take into consideration the following points:
· Project the film in it's [sic] proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
· The correct fader setting on Dolby and DTS systems is 7. Malick asks that faders be kept at 7.5 or even 7.7, system permitting.
· The film has no opening credits, and the booth operator is asked to make sure the "lights down cue is well before the opening frame of reel 1."
· With all the recent talk of "darkier [sic], lousier" images, operators are asked that lamps are at "proper standard (5400 Kelvin)" and that the "foot Lambert level is at Standard 14."
And a postscript from Movieline, for what it's worth: Listen to the man. He is not above ass-kicking to prove a point.
· The Projectionist Has Final Cut -- Ask Terrence Malick [San Diego Reader via The Playlist]