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Re: [Phys-l] A geek's observations on "Avatar"



Hi Bernard,

Yes they do sterilize them after each show. At the IMAX theater where my daughter works they actually have a room dedicated to the sterilization process. They are very serious about the spread of disease through the use of the glasses.

The theft is a real problem. Last night they could not fill their showings of Avatar because of theft of the glasses. Their losses were not only the expense of the glasses themselves but also the loss of income from customers they had to turn away. Movie theaters work on low margins, so any loss of customers is a serious concern.

If anyone has not seen the level of sophistication in the current IMAX 3D presentations, Avatar is a great introduction to it. It is also shown in regular flat screen theaters, but the effect is not as convincing. In either case, try to sit toward the front of the theater, but not the first couple of rows.

Bob at PC
________________________________________
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Bernard Cleyet [bernardcleyet@redshift.com]
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 1:37 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Cc: Nancy Seese
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] A geek's observations on "Avatar"

... the polarization is not in the vertical plane so they will not serve to reduce glare the way that traditional polarized sunglasses do.


An effort to prevent pilfering?

Not from us physicists!

bc, who didn't steal from Disney, as he asked the "girl" w/ the collection box for the one he used as a donation to bc's physics.

p.s. I may go for the effect, not the dialog. I have not been to a show for several years due to now 70 dB hearing loss. We have here in the boondocks** an IMAX, as Cannery Row is a tourist trap.

On 2010, Jan 03, , at 11:53, LaMontagne, Bob wrote:

I'm afraid that collecting "extra" glasses after the show is stealing. My daughter works part time for IMAX and the glasses are an incredible expense for them. They have to be collected by staff after each show (although some people hide them and sneak off with them), sterilize them, and then hand dry them so there will be no streaks or spots. They are of no use as polarizing sun glasses. As you noted, the polarization is not in the vertical plane so they will not serve to reduce glare the way that traditional polarized sunglasses do.


Why sterilize? I'd think one would want to sterilize just before the show! Bob, does IMAX clean them after each use; especially w/ the H1N1 hype?


** very interesting etymology -- occupying US imperialist soldiers' slang from a mountain in the Philippines.
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