COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKEC), a leading DIGITAL cinema and 3D motion picture exhibitor, is announcing the April 19th unveiling of the “BIGD” theater at Apple Valley’s Carmike 15. “We’re providing the ultimate entertainment experience that centerpieces large format Digital with bigger screens, bigger and better sound, and luxurious in-theater seating for cutting-edge presentation and the definitive enjoyment of our audiences,” notes David Passman, Carmike’s President and CEO.
With the Apple Valley opening, this area is one of the first in the nation to offer theatre goers the exciting new “BIGD” format recently launched by Carmike Cinemas, an industry leader in Digital projection and 3D technology since 2006. A special opening night feature movie will be presented on Thursday, April 19th at 7 PM benefiting the 20th Annual Susan G. Komen’s Twin Cities Race for the Cure, which will be promoted by KS95 Team Moon & Staci. Admission to Thursday night’s event will be only $5 and small drinks and popcorn will be $1 each, with all proceeds going to benefit the charity. On Friday the much anticipated “BIGD” Film Festival will kick off with Tom Cruise starring in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. A new movie will be showcased each day in the “BIGD.” Pricing for film festival movies with be $5 with a special $5 concession offer for festival goers including a large drink and large popcorn.
Named “BIGD,” the new auditorium will include a wall-to-wall screen measuring 80 feet wide and nearly three stories tall, the latest in 7.1 surround sound and Digital projection of both 2D and 3D features. In technical terms, Carmike’s “BIGD” DIGITAL experience is powered by a cutting-edge Christie Brilliant 3-D flash projector. Images are projected onto a colossal wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor screen. The end result is a light output of 30,000 lumens, creating a picture quality with noticeably higher resolution than HD.
To further enhance the experience, the custom QSC DIGITAL audio system is tuned to a 7.1 speaker array with 16 channels and the ability to upgrade to 11.1, a revolution in surround sound technology with DIGITAL audio processing supported by quad-amplified, 4-way speakers and six 21-inch subwoofers. The new, expanded configuration at the Apple Valley Carmike 15 promises a new gold standard in unparalleled picture clarity and deep resonating DIGITAL sound.
The new environment will be further embellished by the comfort of plush leather high-back rocking seats placed for optimal viewing in a stadium seating configuration.
“The success of 3-D releases for features like ‘Avatar,’ ‘Cars 2,’ ‘Transformers Dark of the Moon,’ and the record-breaking re-launch of ’The Lion King in 3-D,’ proves that audiences are excited about and enjoy the new DIGITAL experience, and are demanding it,” notes Mr. Passman. “These early successes will no doubt persuade producers to release more movies in this format, so moviegoers can truly enjoy the “BIGD” experience.”
Plans for the “BIGD” Experience include more locations in 2012 such as Cleveland, TN, Sandestin, FL, Jacksonville, NC, Winchester, VA and Decatur, AL. “Whether it is a movie, concert, sporting event, motivational speaker or church service, Carmike guests will find “BIGD” placing them at the heart of the event,” notes Terrell Mayton, Carmike’s Director of Marketing.
About Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC) - www.carmike.com
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is a U.S. leader in digital cinema and 3-D cinema deployments and one of the nation’s largest motion picture exhibitors. As of December 31, 2011, Carmike had 237 theatres with 2,254 screens in 35 states. Carmike’s digital cinema footprint reached 2,128 screens, including 210 theatres with 744 screens that are also equipped for 3-D. Carmike’s focus for its theatre locations is small to mid-sized communities.